Many people who have just been promoted or been put in charge of a major project question their skills and experience. They simply lack confidence, which is nothing strange. How can you become more self-confident? Fake it until you make it - pretend to be self-confident until you really are. The following practical tips were published on the Harvard Business Review website.
Go for it
Don't focus on what scares you about your new role or task. Don't take it as a threat, but as an opportunity to achieve something. Keep telling yourself what a great opportunity it is and that it's not so different from your previous assignments.
Set partial tasks
Goals don't have to be just big and scary. Every big project should to be divided into parts - individual steps you can achieve gradually.
Get inspired
If you want to further develop your managerial style, watch other leaders around you. Do not limit yourself to only one model, look for different styles.
Learn to use body language
Non-verbal cues can reveal your lack of confidence quite quickly. That is why you should learn to take confident postures. These include upright posture or seating positions, striking your chest, holding your head up, etc. You can read more on the concept of "power posing" in this article.
Prevent burnout
If you really are too busy or strongly believe that you will fail, faking self-confidence is not the right thing to do. The purpose of faking confidence is to push your boundaries and to improve, not collapse. If your new task really is unrealistic, say so and refuse to do it.
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