11 Best Strategies to Build Confidence in The Workplace

You’re sitting in a high-stakes meeting, your heart racing, palms sweating, and a brilliant idea on the tip of your tongue. But instead of speaking up, you stay silent, watching as someone else voices a similar thought and receives praise. 

Sound familiar?

You’re not alone: workplace confidence is a common challenge that affects professionals across all industries and career stages!

But here’s the good news—confidence is a skill you CAN develop and master.

In this guide, we’ll explore why you might be feeling insecure, how confidence impacts your career, and most importantly, provide you with 11 powerful strategies to boost your professional self-assurance. Plus, we’ll share quick confidence boosters for those moments when you need an immediate uplift.

What makes you feel insecure at work?

A lack of confidence in the workplace—and beyond—can have a variety of root causes. Let’s delve into why we might feel shy or insecure at work in the first place. 

Firstly, it’s important to understand that people naturally vary in their predisposition towards confidence and assertiveness. Some individuals are inherently more extroverted, while others tend to be more reserved or anxious in social and professional situations. 

But even if you consider yourself naturally shy or anxious, it’s entirely possible to build confidence and assertiveness over time. Research^{1https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1977-25733-001} has found that individuals can significantly increase their self-efficacy (a key component of confidence) through guided experiences and modeling of successful behaviors, and that simply believing^{2https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2006-08575-000} in our ability to change and grow is itself a powerful factor in personal development. 

While individual differences and early experiences play a role, there are also specific workplace factors that can contribute to feelings of insecurity. Let’s explore some of these common causes:

1. Perfectionism: Setting unrealistically high standards for yourself can lead to constant self-doubt and fear of failure.
2. Comparison Culture: In the age of LinkedIn and digital connection more broadly, it’s easy to fall into the trap of constantly comparing yourself to colleagues or industry peers.
3. Past Negative Experiences: Previous failures or criticism at work can leave lasting impacts on your confidence.
4. Unclear Expectations: When you’re unsure about what’s expected of you, it’s hard to feel confident in your performance.
5. Rapid Change: In fast-paced industries, constant change can make you feel like you’re always playing catch-up.
6. Lack of Experience: When you’re new to a role or industry, it’s natural to feel uncertain about your abilities.

Why is Self-Confidence Important to Career Success?

In addition to just helping you feel better, self-confidence can be a game-changer for your career and overall job satisfaction. Here’s what being confident can do for you:

• Supercharge Your Performance: When you’re confident, you’re more likely to take on challenges, speak up with innovative ideas, and push yourself to excel. This can lead to improved performance, productivity and, ultimately, career advancement. 
• Increase Your Resilience: Confidence helps you bounce back from setbacks more quickly. Instead of being derailed by failures, you see them as learning opportunities.
• Build Stronger Workplace Relationships: Confidence isn’t just about how you see yourself—it affects how others perceive you too. When you exude confidence, you’re more likely to build positive relationships with colleagues, clients, and superiors. This can lead to better teamwork, more opportunities, and a more enjoyable work environment.
• Enhance Decision-Making and Leadership Skills: Confident professionals are often better equipped to make tough decisions and lead teams effectively. They’re more likely to trust their judgment, take calculated risks, and inspire others to follow their lead.
• Reduce Stress and Improve Well-being: When you feel confident in your abilities, work becomes less stressful. You’re better able to handle challenges, criticism, and setbacks, leading to improved mental health and job satisfaction.

12 Strategies to Boost Your Workplace Confidence

So how can you be more confident at work? 

Here are 12 powerful, actionable strategies to help you boost your workplace confidence: 

Recognize Your Confidence Barriers

Before we build you up, let’s identify what might be holding you back. Recognizing these confidence killers is the first step to overcoming them. Here are some common ones:

• Negative Self-Talk: Negative self-talk is your inner critic constantly undermining your confidence—the voice telling you you’re not good enough or bound to fail. Over time, this self-criticism erodes your self-esteem, making it harder to take on new challenges or believe in your abilities.
• Fear of Judgment: The fear of others’ opinions can significantly impact your workplace behavior. It keeps you silent in meetings and holds you back from high-visibility projects. Over time, this fear limits your professional growth and visibility within your organization. Remember, most people are too focused on their own performance to be constantly judging yours.
• Fear of Failure: Fear of failure can paralyze your professional growth. It holds you back from taking risks or pursuing new opportunities. You might hesitate to apply for a promotion, convincing yourself you’re not ready when you’re actually qualified. By trying to avoid failure, you might fail to reach your full potential. Embracing failure as a learning opportunity allows you to take calculated risks and grow in your career.
• Imposter Syndrome: Imposter syndrome is the persistent feeling that you’re a fraud, despite evidence to the contrary. This syndrome can affect anyone, especially—and perhaps un-intuitively—high-achievers. It might cause you to overwork to “prove” your worth, avoid pursuing opportunities you’re qualified for, or fail to speak up in meetings for fear of colleagues discovering your supposed lack of competence.
• External Validation Dependence: Relying too heavily on others’ approval makes your confidence fragile and inconsistent. You might constantly seek praise or feel devastated by minor criticism. For instance, you might obsessively check for positive feedback after submitting a report, with your mood hinging on the response.

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Set and Achieve Micro-Goals

Big goals can be overwhelming. Break them down into smaller, achievable micro-goals. Each time you tick off a micro-goal, you’ll get a confidence boost! 

This approach, often called “chunking,” makes large tasks or objectives more manageable and less daunting. It also provides frequent opportunities for success, reinforcing your belief in your abilities and maintaining motivation. 

How to set micro-goals:

• Break larger projects into small, specific tasks
• Make each micro-goal achievable within a day or less
• Celebrate each micro-goal you complete

Example:

Big goal: Lead a successful project

Micro-goals:

• Draft project outline
• Set up initial team meeting
• Create task list for team members
• etc.

Action Step: Take your biggest current work goal and break it down into at least 10 micro-goals.

Cultivate a Growth Mindset

Your mindset plays a huge role in your confidence. A growth mindset, coined by psychologist Carol Dweck, is the belief that your abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. This is in contrast to a fixed mindset, which sees abilities as static traits.

A growth mindset can encourage you to take on new challenges, persist in the face of setbacks, and continuously strive for improvement—excellen traits to demonstrate your adaptability and potential to colleagues and superiors.

How to cultivate a growth mindset:

• Embrace challenges as opportunities to learn
• View effort as the path to mastery
• Learn from criticism instead of ignoring it
• Find lessons and inspiration in others’ success

Action Step: Next time you face a setback at work, write down three things you learned from the experience. And while you’re at it, watch Carol’s great Stanford talk!

Be More Assertive (and still be nice)

Assertiveness means expressing your needs and opinions with confidence and respect. For most people, this skill doesn’t come naturally, but it can be developed with practice:

• Dream Small: Write down 3 modest, achievable goals this week. For example, “I’ll voice my opinion in one meeting” or “I’ll ask for help with a task at home.” Start with these small acts of assertiveness to build confidence.
  Say Yes to Yourself: Practice saying “no” to one request this week that doesn’t align with your needs. For instance, “Sorry, I can’t stay late today. I have plans I can’t reschedule.” Remember, protecting your time and energy isn’t selfish – it’s necessary.
  Interrupt… Politely: In your next conversation with a chatty colleague or family member, use this technique: When they pause, say, “That’s interesting. I’d like to add…” then share your thoughts. This allows you to participate without being rude.

Practice Positive Affirmations and Eliminate Negative Self-Talk

The way you talk to yourself has a profound impact on your confidence. Positive affirmations can literally rewire your brain for success, while negative self-talk can sabotage your efforts. 

Here are some examples of confidence-boosting affirmations:

• “I am capable and competent in my role.”
• “I bring unique value to my team.”
• “I am constantly growing and improving.”
• “I handle challenges with grace and skill.”

To eliminate negative self-talk:

• Recognize negative thoughts when they occur
• Challenge these thoughts with evidence
• Replace them with positive, realistic statements

Action Step: Write down three positive affirmations about your work abilities. Repeat them to yourself every morning for a week.

Develop a Personal Branding Statement

Your personal brand is how you present yourself professionally. A clear, confident personal branding statement can boost your self-assurance and help others understand your unique value. 

Think of it as your professional elevator pitch—a concise summary of who you are and what you bring to the table. By articulating your strengths and unique qualities, you not only communicate your value to others but also reinforce it to yourself, combating self-doubt and imposter syndrome.

To create your statement:

• Identify your key strengths and skills
• Consider what makes you unique in your field
• Think about the value you bring to your role or industry

Example: “I’m a creative problem-solver who uses data-driven insights to develop innovative marketing strategies that drive business growth.”

Action Step: Draft your personal branding statement and practice saying it out loud until it feels natural.

Enhance Your Communication Skills

Effective communication is key to workplace confidence. When you can express your ideas clearly and assertively, you’re more likely to be heard and respected. 

Good communication skills encompass not just speaking, but also active listening, non-verbal cues, and the ability to adapt your style to different audiences. As you improve these skills, you’ll find yourself more capable of navigating workplace interactions, from one-on-one conversations to large presentations, boosting your overall confidence.

Tips for better communication:

• Practice active listening
• Use confident body language (make eye contact, avoid fidgeting)
• Be concise and clear in your speech
• Ask thoughtful questions
• Learn to give and receive constructive feedback

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Seek and Embrace Constructive Feedback

Feedback is a goldmine for growth, but it can be scary if you lack confidence. Learning to seek out and embrace feedback can dramatically boost your skills and self-assurance. 

Constructive feedback provides valuable insights into your strengths and areas for improvement, helping you grow professionally. By seeking feedback, you demonstrate a growth mindset and a commitment to self-improvement, which can impress colleagues and superiors. 

How to handle feedback like a pro:

• Actively ask for feedback from colleagues and superiors
• Listen without becoming defensive
• Thank the person for their input
• Reflect on the feedback and create an action plan
• Follow up to show how you’ve implemented the feedback

Action Step: This week, ask a trusted colleague for feedback on a recent project or presentation.

Expand Your Comfort Zone Gradually

Confidence grows when we challenge ourselves. But jumping into the deep end can be overwhelming. Instead, try gradually expanding your comfort zone. 

This approach, often called “systematic desensitization” in psychology, involves exposing yourself to increasingly challenging situations over time. Each successful step reinforces your ability to handle new challenges, gradually expanding what you’re comfortable with.

How to do it:

• Identify something just outside your comfort zone
• Break it down into smaller steps
• Tackle one small step at a time
• Celebrate each step you complete

Example:

Goal: Speak at a conference

Steps:

1. Share an idea in a team meeting
2. Give a presentation to your department
3. Speak at a small industry meetup
4. Present at a larger company event
5. Apply to speak at a conference

Action Step: Identify one thing just outside your work comfort zone. What’s the smallest step you can take towards it this week?

Cultivate a Support Network

You don’t have to build confidence alone! Surrounding yourself with supportive, positive people can work wonders for your self-confidence. 

A strong support network provides encouragement, advice, and different perspectives that can boost your confidence. These relationships can also serve as a safety net, giving you the courage to take risks knowing you have people to fall back on. Remember, confidence isn’t just an individual trait—it’s often nurtured and reinforced through our interactions with others.

How to build your support network:

• Find a mentor in your field
• Join professional organizations or networking groups
• Cultivate positive relationships with colleagues
• Consider starting a peer support group with coworkers

Action Step: Reach out to someone in your industry you admire and ask if they’d be willing to have a coffee chat.

Develop a Continuous Learning Habit

Knowledge is power, and it’s also a great confidence booster! When you’re constantly learning and improving your skills, you’ll feel more capable and self-assured. 

Continuous learning keeps you current in your field and demonstrates your commitment to professional growth. It also provides a sense of progress and achievement, which naturally boosts confidence. Moreover, as you expand your knowledge and skills, you’ll be better equipped to handle new challenges, further reinforcing your self-assurance.

Ways to keep learning:

• Take online courses related to your field
• Read industry blogs and books
• Attend workshops and conferences
• Learn from colleagues with different skill sets
• Experiment with new tools and technologies

Action Step: Sign up for a free online course in a skill you’ve been wanting to develop.

Master the Art of Power Posing

You’ve probably heard the phrase “fake it ’til you make it.” Well, power posing takes this idea to a whole new level. This strategy, popularized by social psychologist Amy Cuddy, suggests that adopting powerful, expansive postures can actually make you feel more confident.

How to do it:

• Stand tall with your feet hip-width apart
• Put your hands on your hips (think Wonder Woman!)
• Hold your head high and open up your chest

Try holding a power pose for two minutes before your next big meeting or presentation. You might be surprised at how much more confident you feel!

Action Step: Set a reminder on your phone to do a power pose for 2 minutes every morning before work.

Practice Self-Compassion and Resilience

Last but not least, be kind to yourself! Self-compassion isn’t about making excuses—it’s about treating yourself with the same kindness you’d show a friend. 

It involves acknowledging your humanity, including your imperfections and mistakes, without harsh self-judgment. By being kind to yourself in difficult times, you create a supportive internal environment that builds confidence and perseverance.

How to practice self-compassion:

• Acknowledge that everyone makes mistakes
• Learn from failures instead of dwelling on them
• Celebrate your successes, no matter how small
• Take care of your physical and mental health

Action Step: Next time you make a mistake at work, write down three things you’d say to a friend in the same situation. Then say those things to yourself!

Quick Confidence Boosters: 6 Tips for Instant Results

Okay, so we mentioned earlier that building self-confidence is a process that takes time and dedication. While this is absolutely the case for stable, long-term changes in your confidence, it doesn’t mean there aren’t things you can do in the spur of the moment to psyche you up. Personality psychologists would refer to the former as your trait confidence and the latter as your state confidence. 

Indeed, manipulating personality states is exactly what personality psychologists do in their research—and so can you!

So, do you have a big presentation or a scary networking event coming up? Here are some tips for a quick state confidence fix:

1. Listen to your favorite pump-up song
2. Recall a past success and how it made you feel
3. Wear an outfit that makes you feel powerful
4. Take 3 deep breaths to center yourself
5. Smile—even if you don’t feel like it (it can trick your brain into feeling more confident!)
6. Compliment a coworker (making others feel good can boost your own confidence)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Building Confidence at Work

Embracing Your Professional Confidence

Building confidence in the workplace isn’t an overnight process, but with these 11 strategies, you’re well on your way to becoming a more self-assured, successful professional. 

Here’s a quick recap of our 11 strategies to build confidence in the workplace:

• Cultivate a Growth Mindset: Embrace challenges and see failures as opportunities for learning and improvement.
• Practice Positive Affirmations and Eliminate Negative Self-Talk: Replace self-doubt with empowering thoughts to boost your self-confidence.
• Develop a Personal Branding Statement: Craft a clear, concise statement that articulates your unique value proposition.
• Enhance Your Communication Skills: Improve your ability to express ideas clearly and listen actively to build better workplace relationships.
• Set and Achieve Micro-Goals: Break larger objectives into smaller, manageable tasks to build momentum and confidence.
• Seek and Embrace Constructive Feedback: Actively request and use feedback to continuously improve your skills and performance.
• Expand Your Comfort Zone Gradually: Take small, calculated risks to build confidence in handling new challenges.
• Cultivate a Support Network: Surround yourself with positive, encouraging people who believe in your potential.
• Develop a Continuous Learning Habit: Stay current in your field and acquire new skills to feel more competent and confident.
• Practice Self-Compassion and Resilience: Be kind to yourself in the face of setbacks and learn to bounce back stronger.
• Master the Art of Power Posing: Use body language to influence your mental state and boost your confidence quickly.

It’s worth reiterating: confidence is like a muscle. The more you work on it, the stronger it gets! Start with one or two strategies that resonate with you and commit to practicing them consistently. As you begin to see results, you’ll be motivated to incorporate more strategies into your routine.
Want some more general tips on building confidence, both in and out of the workplace? Check out this article: How to Be More Confident: 15 Strategies For More Confidence