Building Confidence Through Strengths-Based Development
Let's talk about something we all struggle with at some point: self-confidence.
Recently, I conducted a survey among the fantastic folks subscribed to the Leading Light Newsletter. The number one challenge identified in leadership was self-confidence. Surprising, right? But here's the kicker – it's not just a hurdle for newbies. Even seasoned pros with more than six years of experience admit to grappling with confidence issues. So, what's behind this common challenge, and how can we conquer it? This post is all about exploring those questions.
My Strengths Journey
When I started teaching yoga back in 2009, self-confidence was my Achilles' heel. Looking back, I realized that a big part of my confidence issues stemmed from the way I was trained to teach. The environment emphasized my weaknesses rather than my strengths.
My signature strength is relationship building, and I thrive when I can empathize and work with people. However, the teaching style I initially learned was more about taking charge and telling people what to do, which wasn't aligned with my strengths. As a result, those classes felt like an uphill battle, and my class attendance remained below average. I wasn't leveraging my strengths, and my potential was left untapped.
It wasn't until a few years later, during a teacher training with a mentor whose strengths were more aligned with mine, that I realized there are multiple teaching approaches. Learning from this experience, I found a way to embrace my strengths by engaging with students one-on-one during class, sharing relatable personal stories, and adapting the sequence and poses to fit the individuals in the room. This shift allowed me to be myself while teaching, and my class numbers increased organically. The results spoke for themselves! I started feeling more confident because I saw better results.
I've seen similar stories unfold in many other yoga teachers and leaders in various fields. Often, there's an expectation, whether self-imposed or imposed by others, to conform to a specific mold to be effective, rather than exploring a leadership style that suits each person’s personality and community.
A Different Approach: Strengths-Based Development
Some people say you don’t really need confidence, but I disagree. Confidence empowers us to conquer challenges and achieve our goals. True confidence comes from seeing ourselves succeed. Believing in yourself is a great start, and something that comes easier for some people, but true confidence requires seeing results. This is where strengths-based development comes in.
The conventional way of development focused on fixing weaknesses and, as a result, fixating on what we can't do. Strengths-based development, on the other hand, is about focusing on and harnessing your innate strengths and talents. It’s about focusing on what is working well and using it more often. It's shifting from obsessing over weaknesses to nurturing what you excel at. Here are the key principles:
Know yourself: Understand your unique strengths. You can start with a simple quiz like the one I offer to identify your strengths.
Use your strengths: Actively apply your strengths in different areas of your life.
Manage weaknesses: While we focus on strengths, it doesn’t mean you ignore areas for improvement. But instead of trying to get better at doing the things you struggle with, you learn how to manage weaknesses through collaboration and systems.
Surround yourself: Be with people who appreciate and encourage your strengths.
How Strengths-Based Development Boosts Confidence and Personal Growth
Boosting Confidence
Recognizing your value: Identifying your strengths gives you a better understanding of your unique value and contributions, naturally boosting your self-esteem.
Setting achievable goals: Confidence comes from seeing yourself accomplish things you care about. By leveraging your strengths to set and achieve realistic goals, you build a track record of success that reinforces true confidence.
Handling challenges effectively: Confidence isn't the absence of fear or challenges, but the belief in your ability to overcome them. Your strengths provide you with the tools to tackle difficulties more effectively, solidifying your self-confidence.
Embracing failure as a learning opportunity: Strengths-based development encourages a growth mindset, where setbacks are viewed as opportunities for learning and improvement rather than failures. This mindset shift helps you bounce back from setbacks with renewed confidence.
Facilitating Personal Growth
Continuous improvement: Strengthening weaknesses can help you avoid failure, but building on strengths equips you to improve and refine infinitely. This commitment to growth fosters personal development and resilience.
Better decision-making: Knowing your strengths allows you to make more informed decisions about your career, relationships, and personal development. You can align your choices with your strengths to ensure you're on a path that suits you best.
Enhanced interpersonal relationships: Understanding your strengths and the strengths of others can improve communication and collaboration, fostering better relationships both personally and professionally.
Leading a fulfilling life: Ultimately, a life centered around your strengths is more fulfilling and purpose-driven. It allows you to tap into your true potential and create a life that aligns with your passions and talents.
Building confidence through strengths-based development is a transformative journey. It's not about changing who you are; it's about embracing and amplifying your natural strengths. Confidence isn't something you have or don't have; it can be developed. So, embrace your strengths, and you'll find yourself on a path to greater self-assuredness and a more fulfilling life.
Take the CliftonStrengths Assessment and get started on your journey of self-discovery and growth!
