Introduction

Have you been struggling with confidence lately? Maybe you’re just running out of ideas to inspire your team and help them be the best versions of themselves. This article can help you brainstorm some changes or new methods to use in the workplace so you can radiate confidence and inspire your team. 

Learn to Ask the Right Questions

Asking questions can be more difficult than you’d think – especially if you’re in charge. It can feel like you’re admitting that you don’t know what you’re doing (which is not great for confidence). Instead of thinking of it in that light, learn to think of it as growth and development. You can also learn a lot about your team by asking the right questions about them.

“Nobody knows the answer to everything,” says Tony Staehelin, CEO of Benable. “But sometimes as a leader we think we’re supposed to know everything and asking questions is a sign of weakness. In reality, asking questions is a great way to lead by example and show your team that it’s okay (and even expected) for them to ask questions. Ask your team about themselves too – you might learn something.”

Ask for Feedback From Everyone

If you’re looking to inspire your team, you should explore how they could give you feedback on a regular basis. Not only does this give you a better idea of how you can lead well, but it will help with identifying what inspires and motivates your team as well. Plus, everyone likes to be given a voice.

“Let your team know that you value and care about their opinions on things,” says Karim Hachem, VP of eCommerce at Sunshine 79. “Ask them for feedback on how they think projects went, how they’re feeling about the team, and even how they feel you’re doing as a leader.”

Dress Your Best

First impressions are important, but how you carry yourself every day is going to be what impacts your team. Dressing well can help you stand a little taller and feel confident about yourself. You are also setting a standard for your team to follow and hopefully dressing their best will inspire them as well.

“Find outfits that make you feel like you’re on top of the world,” says Anamika Goyal, Head of Architecture & Design at Cottage. “This doesn’t mean you have to go out and spend a fortune on a new wardrobe. There are tons of secondhand stores and websites that carry professional clothing that you can purchase to boost your confidence and inspire your team.”

Admit When You’re Wrong (& How You’re Going to do Better)

This is a two parter. Admitting you’re wrong about something can be very difficult. It’s always easier to place the blame on someone else and move on. However, what example does that set for your team? If you’re showing them that you’re not honest or trustworthy, it will be very hard to inspire them or show confidence.

“Admitting you’ve made a mistake can be a very humbling experience,” says Kiran Gollakota,  Co-Founder and CEO of Lightyear Health. “It’s how you move forward from that admission that makes an impact on your team. Explain to them how you’re going to do better in the future and set an example of how you want them to handle their own mistakes. Knowing you’re on a team where vulnerability and honesty is valued can be very inspiring and allow people to dream bigger.”

Share Your Dreams, Vision, and Goals

Speaking of dreams, sharing your own dreams, vision, and goals can help inspire your team as well. Being open about these things does take confidence but it can also inspire others. Let them learn a bit about why you’re doing what you’re doing so they understand your intentions.

“If your team doesn’t understand why you’re doing what you’re doing, they’re going to feel like things are being kept from them or they’ll have a hard time supporting your efforts,” says John Cheng, Co-Founder and CEO of Baotris. “This can lead to an apprehensive team that doesn’t act with confidence or inspiration. Instead, be open with them about what you want to do and why. Share those visions, goals, dreams, and aspirations. You can even take it a step further and ask them about theirs to deepen your understanding of your team and learn how you might be better able to inspire confidence in them.”

Communicate Well and Often

Frequent communication is a must for any workplace where confidence and inspiration are a goal. Make sure you’re communicating on a regular basis and your staff don’t feel like they’re being blindsided by things. It also means you’re creating an environment where it’s okay to take certain risks because failure isn’t the end of the world. Giving people the opportunity to explore new ideas and concepts without fearing the worst for their job is empowering and helps boost their confidence.

“If your team doesn’t know what to expect next, it can be difficult to move forward with confidence,” says Brittany Dolin, Co-Founder of Pocketbook Agency. “Make sure you pass along information thoroughly and always ask if anyone has questions or needs any additional info. This creates a level of transparency and allows you to show your confidence in what you’re asking them to do.”

Conclusion

Radiating confidence in the workplace to inspire your team may just take a few simple changes. Learning to ask questions and communicate well with your team can let them know that they matter to you and you’re looking to grow alongside them.

Sharing your future goals and other aspirations can help your team understand who you are and that vulnerability requires confidence. Make sure your team always feels like they’re in the loop with the “why” of projects.

Knowing how to admit that you’re wrong is a critical skill for team leaders. It involves humbling yourself and exposing your mistakes to your team. You should also ask your team for feedback to let you know how you’re doing (because you’re human and not perfect).

Finally, dress your best every day. Set the example for your team on wardrobe and expected appearance. If you want to feel confident, you have to look the part. Secondhand stores are great options to explore for professional clothing that will help you radiate confidence.