As an executive recruiter, I’ve spent two decades consulting with professionals who are working their way up the corporate ladder, and I can tell you that confidence plays an enormous role in that process. But I’m talking about real confidence. Not swagger. And certainly not bragadocciousness. (There! I’ve been looking for an excuse to use the word that exploded into our public consciousness after the debates last month!)
Rather, confidence is quiet. It’s calm. And it’s learned – and earned – over many years. Here are some of the common traits of confident people:
They Scoff at Scarcity
A lack of resources doesn’t scare confident people. Since they view themselves as creative and resourceful problem-solvers, running short on something (time, money, personnel) can be energizing instead of draining.
They Just Do It. Now.
Procrastination undermines confidence, so confident people know that getting something knocked out today means increased progress and productivity tomorrow. There’s no such thing as “later.” Confident people use this knowledge as fuel to get things done.
They’re Okay When Things Aren’t Really Okay
Confident people can handle some discomfort, as they recognize true growth happens right at the end of one’s comfort zone. When they’re mildly uncomfortable (in a role, in a room, in a project) they brush off the urge to quit and simply plow ahead. This doesn’t mean they don’t make mistakes – it means they persevere in spite of uncertainty.
They Own Their Cr@p
Confident people don’t make excuses or blame forces beyond their control. They take ownership of their actions – good and bad – and they’re honest with themselves and with others.
They Accept Fear as a Companion
Confident people accept that they must act in the face of their fears. The quote (attributed to many authors) they live by is, “Courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to act in spite of it.”
They Don’t Obsess About What Other People Think
Highly confident people don’t get hung up on other people’s opinions. They recognize they’re not going to please everyone, and they’re able to carry on in spite of the inevitable criticism or back-stab.
and…
They Don’t Judge Others
The companion trait to the one above. Confident people don’t need to bring anyone down. They can accept others’ foibles or opinions, and they don’t get bogged down in gossip sessions, either.
They’ve Outgrown Being “Pleasers”
Highly confident people simply don’t bother trying to please everyone they meet. They know it’s a wasted exercise and can undermine their integrity. They focus on a smaller number of high-value relationships rather than seeking a large number of shallow associations.
Maurice Gilbert is Managing Partner of Conselium Executive Search, which specializes in placing Compliance Officers and Legal Counsel for clients in the U.S., Europe, Latin America and Asia Pacific. Maurice is also CEO of Corporate Compliance Insights, a worldwide publication devoted to governance, risk and compliance issues. Maurice can be reached at maurice@conselium.com or maurice@corporatecomplianceinsights.com.
