Finding & Unleashing Your Superpower in 2024

By Andrew Cooke, Growth & Profit Solutions

Are you looking to drive sustainable growth and success for your business and for yourself in the ever-evolving market landscape?

As a business coach, I have found that the biggest catalyst for success, and the biggest impediment, is my client’s self-belief. I can teach clients how to be good at their job, but I can’t teach them to believe in themselves. Dumbo did not need a feather to fly, but it reminded him he could.

Your confidence is your superpower. It’s about how we feel about ourselves. And it’s our inner selves which drive how people see us on the outside.

Lisa Sun, author of “Gravitas”, identifies eight key confidence strengths as being leading, performing, achieving, giving, knowing, creating, believing, and self-sustaining – these create the foundation of one's 'confidence language’.

So, for 2024, what can you do to develop your “confidence language”?

Firstly, confidence is not something you have, it is something you develop. It is a conscious choice. Until you make that choice, nothing will happen.

The next thing is to understand what the different confidence strengths are. These are apparent, or not, through your action or inaction. You demonstrate and build confidence in yourself, in others, and their confidence in you, through action.

So, let’s look at the eight confidence strengths:

Your Eight Confidence Strengths

1. Leading: This strength involves taking charge, setting direction, and influencing others. It's about vision and the ability to guide and inspire.
2. Performing: This is about the ability to captivate an audience, whether in a meeting, presentation, or social setting. It's the strength of being engaging and memorable.
3. Achieving: This strength is characterized by a focus on goals, determination, and the drive to succeed and overcome challenges.
4. Giving: This represents the strength of being supportive, helpful, and generous, often acting as a nurturing force in relationships and teams.
5. Knowing: This involves a deep understanding or expertise in a particular area, being well-informed, and often acting as a source of knowledge for others.
6. Creating: This strength is about innovation, imagination, and the ability to think outside the box or bring new ideas into fruition.
7. Believing: This strength is characterized by optimism, resilience, and the ability to inspire trust and hope in others.
8. Self-Sustaining: This involves independence, self-reliance, and the capacity to remain strong and balanced, especially in challenging situations.

Confidence Strengths Self-Assessment

How do you feel you rate on each of these confidence strengths? Understanding how you feel now, and where you want to be, helps you identify what to work on, and how, to bridge the gap. Rate yourself using the table below.

1.????? Firstly, score where you feel you are Now.

2.????? Secondly, looking ahead – it might be 6 months, 12 months, or whatever – where do you want to score on each factor. Be realistic and honest with yourself. For example, if Believing score 3 for Now, and Where you want? to be is a 9 in 3 months then this is probably unrealistic and over-hopeful.

3.????? Finally, calculate the Gap between Where you want to be and where you are Now to find the biggest gaps. What are your top 3 confidence strengths which, if you address, will have the greatest impact for you, your leadership effectiveness, and your team’s/business’ performance.? Alternatively, you can use this diagnostic to help you self-assess your confidence strengths.

Scoring: 1-4 = Low, 5-6 = Average, 7-10 = High

Once complete, look at your results and identify the top 3 factors which, if addressed, will have the greatest impact for you. Here are some ideas for you:

The 8 Confidence Strengths - Strategies

1. Leading:Mentorship: Seek out a mentor or become one. Learning from experienced leaders or guiding others can enhance your leadership abilities.Continuous Learning: Attend leadership workshops, read books on effective leadership, and stay informed about industry trends to develop a broad perspective.Feedback and Reflection: Regularly solicit feedback on your leadership style and reflect on your actions and decisions to identify areas for improvement.
2. Performing:Public Speaking Practice: Regularly practice public speaking, perhaps through joining groups like Toastmasters, to become more comfortable and effective in front of an audience.Role-playing Exercises: Engage in role-playing exercises to improve your ability to adapt to different scenarios and audiences.Performance Review: Record and review your performances to identify strengths and areas for improvement.
3. Achieving:Goal Setting: Set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals to guide your efforts and track progress.Time Management: Develop strong time management skills using tools and techniques like prioritization, scheduling, and delegation.Resilience Building: Cultivate resilience by facing challenges head-on, learning from failures, and maintaining a positive outlook.
4. Giving:Active Listening: Practice active listening to understand others' needs and perspectives better.Volunteering: Engage in volunteer work or community service to develop empathy and a sense of giving back.Feedback and Support: Offer constructive feedback and support to colleagues and friends, fostering a nurturing and supportive environment.
5. Knowing:Continuous Education: Engage in continuous learning through courses, seminars, and self-study in your field of expertise.Networking with Experts: Connect with other experts in your field to exchange knowledge and stay updated with the latest trends and information.Teaching Others: Share your knowledge by teaching or mentoring others, which can deepen your understanding and expertise.
6. Creating:Creative Exercises: Regularly engage in creative exercises like brainstorming, mind mapping, or free writing to stimulate creativity.Exploring New Ideas: Stay open to new ideas and experiences, and seek inspiration from diverse sources.Collaborative Projects: Work on collaborative projects that require creative problem-solving and innovative thinking.
7. Believing:Positive Affirmations: Use positive affirmations to reinforce self-belief and maintain an optimistic outlook.Overcoming Adversity: Take on challenges that push your limits, helping to build resilience and belief in your abilities.Reflection and Gratitude: Practice regular reflection on your achievements and maintain a gratitude journal to acknowledge and appreciate your journey.
8. Self-Sustaining:Self-Care Practices: Implement a self-care routine that includes physical, mental, and emotional well-being activities.Independence in Decision-Making: Make decisions independently, trusting your judgment and learning from the outcomes.Stress Management: Develop effective stress management techniques like meditation, exercise, or hobbies to maintain balance and self-reliance.

Questions to Consider:

1. Leadership Lens: Think about a recent situation where you took the lead. Did you feel empowered and confident in directing others? How did your actions impact the team's dynamics and outcomes?
2. Creative Catalyst: Recall a moment when your creativity or innovation solved a problem or improved a situation. How did this experience make you feel about your ability to think outside the box?
3. Self-Sustaining Strengths: Consider a challenging time in your life. Did you find strength in your independence and resilience? How did this experience shape your approach to future challenges?

Next Steps:

Are you ready to unlock the full potential of your confidence? Our free diagnostic tool is your key to understanding and enhancing your unique strengths. With just a few minutes and insightful questions, you can embark on a transformative journey towards self-discovery and empowerment.

Imagine tapping into the depths of your leadership, creativity, and resilience. Visualize harnessing these strengths to elevate your personal and professional life. This is not just a chance to reflect – it’s an opportunity to reshape your future.

Don’t let this moment pass. Click on the link now and take the first step towards a more confident, empowered you. Your journey to discovering your Eight Confidence Strengths starts here. Let's redefine what confidence means to you. Click here to take the diagnostic test now.

And, if you want to get there faster, then book a 30-minute one-to-one call with Andrew to discuss your results. Alternatively, just DM me.