Tips for Building Confidence in Challenging Roles

As a fighter pilot, flying combat missions in some of the most intense environments, fear was a reality for all of us. Most often, it was the fear of making a mistake. We didn’t want to let our team down and we certainly never wanted to let the ground troops down. The key wasn’t avoiding that fear but acknowledging it, having a plan to deal with it, and then compartmentalizing it to stay focused on the mission. We pushed forward despite the fear, knowing that we had put in the work to be ready for these moments. That competence helped us build confidence in some of the most difficult situations. When times get tough, can you keep going and help others to do the same? Here are a few lessons we learned that can transform your team in challenging times: 1️⃣ Put in the Work – Facing fear requires preparation and effort. Whether through training or rehearsal, the more you practice, the more confident you’ll become in your abilities. 2️⃣ Seek Out Lessons Learned – Reflect on past experiences to extract valuable lessons. Understanding what worked and what didn’t can equip you with the tools to handle future challenges more effectively. 3️⃣ Be Open About Your Struggles – Acknowledging what challenges you creates a space for growth. If you’re not good at something or know there’s a weak point with your team, then acknowledge it, and find ways to improve. 4️⃣ Rely on Your “Wingmen” – Surround yourself with people who can support you and challenge you to be at your best. Trusting others and allowing them to help can provide the strength you need to tackle tough situations. In the end, it’s not about eliminating fear; it’s about stepping up to take action in the face of fear. #FlyingInTheFaceOfFear #leadership #aviation

One of the most common barriers I observe among professionals seeking advancement is the misconception that confidence must precede capability demonstration, when in reality, the relationship operates in reverse.   Sustainable professional confidence emerges through systematic competence building rather than emotional preparation.   The Progressive Competence Framework: • Incremental Challenge Acceptance: Taking on responsibilities slightly beyond current comfort zones to build capability evidence gradually • Documentation and Reflection: Systematically recording successes, failures, and lessons learned to create tangible proof of growth and adaptation • Safe Practice Environments: Developing new skills through low-risk opportunities before applying them in high-stakes situations • Feedback Integration: Actively seeking input from mentors, colleagues, and supervisors to accelerate learning curves and avoid prolonged trial-and-error   This approach recognizes that imposter syndrome and career anxiety typically stem from insufficient evidence of capability rather than inherent inadequacy.   Each successful navigation of a new challenge builds neurological pathways that support future confidence in similar situations.   The professionals who advance most smoothly don't eliminate doubt - they develop systems for building competence despite doubt, understanding that confidence emerges as a natural byproduct of demonstrated capability.   For those experiencing self-doubt during career transitions, the solution lies in designing deliberate competence-building experiences rather than waiting for confidence to appear spontaneously.   What strategies have you found most effective for building competence in new professional areas?   Sign up to my newsletter for more corporate insights and truths here: https://lnkd.in/ei_uQjju   #deepalivyas #eliterecruiter #recruiter #recruitment #jobsearch #corporate #competencedevelopment #careerconfidence #professionalgrowth #careerstrategist

Most professionals I see struggle with workplace visibility despite their skills. My secret? Professional confidence is the career superpower nobody talks about. Most workplace confidence problems stem from misunderstanding what confidence actually is. It's NOT about being the loudest voice in meetings or never doubting yourself. These are the common mistakes I often see: - Assuming technical skills alone will get you noticed - Waiting to feel 100% ready before speaking up - Comparing your behind-the-scenes to others' highlight reels - Dismissing small wins as "just doing my job" Here's how to build authentic workplace confidence: 1. Track your wins weekly - even the small ones. This creates evidence of your capability that your brain can't argue with. 2. Adopt a "growth experiment" mindset - reframe "failures" as valuable data points rather than personal shortcomings. 3. Practice deliberate discomfort - start with low-stakes situations to build your confidence muscle. 4. Create a "validation vault" - save positive feedback, thank you notes, and accomplishments to review when doubt creeps in. And always remember to celebrate your progress, not just perfection. This way, you can develop genuine confidence that opens doors without seeming arrogant or inauthentic. What's one small step you'll take today to boost your confidence at work? Share in the comments! ♻️ Repost to help people in your network.