What do you do if your confidence is hindering your leadership abilities in healthcare?

Confidence is a key ingredient in effective healthcare leadership. If your confidence is holding you back, try to identify the root cause. See if it is a general lack of confidence, or specific situations that trigger self-doubt? Reflect on past leadership experiences and analyze what caused you to hesitate. But be positive. Of course you are not going to be perfect. You are a human being. So be gentle with your self evaluation and focus on your strengths. Make a list of your leadership skills and past accomplishments. Reminding yourself of your strengths can boost confidence. And see how you can improve some areas to get more confidence boosting.

Take a step back and evaluate your own strengths and weaknesses objectively. Identify areas where you feel less confident and acknowledge them without judgment. For example, if you struggle with public speaking, admit that to yourself rather than pretending you're an expert.

Don't be afraid to ask for feedback from peers, mentors, or supervisors. Constructive criticism can help you pinpoint specific areas for improvement and boost your confidence. For instance, ask a trusted colleague for feedback on your communication skills during meetings.

Continuous learning is the key in every success story. Investing in your knowledge and skills boosts your confidence. Pursue relevant training, workshops, or certifications. Seek Mentorship. Find a mentor who can offer guidance, support, and honest feedback to help you grow. Seek coaching programs. Shadow someone that you admire for being confident and a good leader. Ask, learn repeat.

Focus on developing the skills that will enhance your leadership abilities. This could include attending workshops or training sessions, reading relevant literature, or practicing through simulations. For example, if you want to improve your decision-making skills, learn about different decision-making models and apply them in real-life scenarios.

Assertiveness is crucial in healthcare leadership. Practice expressing your thoughts and ideas confidently without being overly aggressive or passive. For instance, when leading a team meeting, clearly communicate your expectations and listen actively to others' input.

Regularly reflect on your experiences and identify what worked well and what didn't. Use this feedback to adjust your approach and improve continuously. For example, after a challenging interaction with a colleague, reflect on how you could have handled it better and make a plan for next time.

Building confidence in others can also boost your own confidence as a leader. Offer mentorship, provide opportunities for growth, and celebrate the successes of your team members. For instance, encourage a junior colleague to lead a project and provide guidance along the way.

There is a good evidence base that receiving great coaching from an executive and leadership coach can turbo boost your confidence, skills and performance in leadership roles. As well as support your moving into more senior leadership roles too. I’ve seen this in action many, many times, with my own coachees. Every such success fills me with gratitude as more amazing people are empowered to Live their Genius!

Practice makes progress. Take action. Volunteer for leadership opportunities outside your comfort zone. The more you lead, the more confident you'll become. Always remind yourself of your "why" – the purpose that drives you to lead. This is the best motivational booster of all. And never stop seeking for feedback actively. Solicit feedback from your team and colleagues on your leadership style. Use it to improve. Remember: Focus on continuous improvement and growth. You don't need to have all the answers to be a good leader. A good leader is always learning, growing with his team.