How A Lack of Confidence Can Complicate Your Career Growth by @nkwebbgroup1

by Nicole K. Webb | Featured Contributor

According to The Merriam-Webster dictionary, confidence is defined as a feeling of one’s powers of reliance on one’s circumstances, and faith or belief that one will act in a right, proper or effective way.

It’s noticeable when an individual lacks confidence, particularly in the workforce. When one does not believe in their own professional abilities, it’s difficult for their supervisors, colleagues or clients to believe in them as well. People don’t trust individuals who do not trust themselves.

A perceived lack of confidence can interfere with the type of assignments the individual is given, the ability for the individual to successfully perform their position’s requirements, the individual’s effectiveness when leading a group or working as a team, the individual’s ability to receive constructive criticism, and the individual’s capability of securing higher wages or advanced positions.

A low self-esteem can also have a negative impact on relationships with potential employers. Employers aren’t only interested in hiring individuals who have the right education and work experience; their employees need to exhibit great confidence in their own abilities.

Unfortunately, confidence is not something that is easy to acquire, but with continuous practice, it can be obtained.

Here are 4 key tips to help you get started.

1. Accept that you know what you know, and what you don’t know, you can most certainly learn.

2. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes while at work. If you treat them as learning opportunities, you can use them as leverage to greater things instead of letting them push you down.

3. Explore responsibilities at work that are outside of your comfort zone.

4. Surround yourself with other individuals who exude confidence.

The ultimate key is to continuously work at developing and improving your  confidence on a day-to-day basis.

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Nicole K. Webb is a former “Perfect Patty” who was committed to doing everything by the book because of her fear of failure. However, in 2012 she faced some life-changing decisions that revealed to her that although you can try your best to do things perfectly, it’s impossible to be perfect at everything. For the first time in Nicole’s career, she struggled with a job in which she was not a good fit and was able to recognize this for herself. Nicole decided to resign from what many would consider a dream job in human resources in order to take time to figure out what to do next.

After being unemployed for two months, she found herself a great career opportunity in the human resources field. She also began to follow her dream of becoming a business owner. She opened her very own human resource consulting and career coaching business, NK WEBB GROUP LLC. Since launching her business, she has authored The Workplace Playbook: Strategies to Help New Employees Win In Their Careers.

Nicole has over 10 years of experience in human resources. She has an MBA from University of Baltimore and a BA from Coppin State University.

Nicole Webb