June 2, 2021 By: Cheryl Viola, Executive Director, MBA
Recently, I was returning home from vacation and had the wonderful opportunity to visit with a business consultant who was seated next to me on the plane. I learned that she had spent a month consulting with a business that was struggling and she discussed some of the tactics she used in evaluating the business while developing a recovery plan. During the conversation, she mentioned how one employee was very good and passionate about her role but was voluntold that she would also be responsible for marketing. The employee agreed but knew nothing about marketing and was not comfortable with the artistic side of marketing. This employee was very linear in her thinking process.
The consultant recommended to the owner that this employee should be moved from marketing to general manager. That her strengths in setting schedules, creating classes, and staffing people for the classes would help move the businesses forward. When they presented the job shift to the employee the employee was timid and fearful. Truthfully, she was fearful of the title and responsibility. It took a bit of encouragement to help the employee see that what the business consultant saw.
How many times have you done that? Been given a compliment where another person saw a strength in you that you did not see?
For example, I have the skills to do bookkeeping, I can sit and enter the debits and credits and make sure the books balance, but if I had to do that day in and day out, I would be miserable. It is not where my heart and passion lie.
A person can be competent in their job but lack self-confidence. Here a few things you can do to increase your self-confidence.
“Confidence doesn’t come from KNOWING what will happen. It comes from knowing that no matter what happens, you can ADAPT. Learn to get comfortable with the uncomfortable and confidently deliver even when you’re not fully prepared.”
Simon Sinek
- Don’t focus on what others think.
- We spend too much time worrying about how others perceive us. It doesn’t matter.
- Recognize your uniqueness.
- Define success on your terms.
- Each person’s measure of success is different and that’s okay. The ultimate goal for everyone is happiness and balance.
- Get out of your comfort zone.
- Do not allow fear to stop you. Try new things, volunteer, and seek growth opportunities.
- Emulate others.
- If you have someone you admire, emulate the traits you admire.
As a manager, supervisor, or CEO I recommend that you do a bi-annual evaluation of your employees. Talk to them, find out their interests. We all grown and develop and our interests change. It is only natural for most people that they want their jobs to develop and change. The best way to retain good employees is to provide growth opportunities, even if it means helping to give a little nudge to an employee who doesn’t have the confidence in themselves.
As employees, it is equally your responsibility to communicate to your supervisor, manager, or CEO to let them know that you are interested in learning another role. All too often employees are afraid to say something, for fear of being misunderstood. When someone is seeking self-improvement and growth it is not because they are unhappy with their current position, but they are often seeking a new growth opportunity.
