5 steps to rebuilding your confidence in the workplace

We all have a colleague who’s always raring to go. She has something to add to every meeting. She raises her hand first when a challenging new project is up for grabs.

What does she have that so many of us find elusive? It’s called confidence, and learning how to be more confident at work is a skill you can develop and hone.

Confidence in the workplace and effective presence are fundamental to success. But they’re fragile. And with the ups and downs of the past few years, confidence killers – fear, negative self-talk, and anxiety – have skyrocketed.

So, what’s chipping away at your confidence?

You might be returning to in-person work or have recently faced a major setback. Difficult bosses or know-it-all coworkers can also lead to anxiety. Or maybe the daily stresses and conflicts of work life have worn you down.

These are valid concerns, and there’s not always a quick fix. But buffing up your confidence in the workplace is essential if you want to thrive in your career.

How to be more confident at work in five steps

1. Take baby steps out of your comfort zone

We grow from exposure to new challenges, but don’t throw yourself into the deep end.

If you’re a remote worker, switch on your camera during online meetings to get used to being seen again before you transition to being back in office.

If you struggle to speak up, challenge yourself to say at least one thing in every meeting. If you speak up right at the start, you’ll find it easier to chime in when you do have something pressing to say.

Remember, it’s OK to feel nervous right now. About 7% of Americans live with social anxiety disorder, so be gentle with yourself and you’ll get there.

2. Take up space

Harvard psychologist Amy Cuddy recommends Wonder Woman-style “power posing” (strong, outstretched arms and feet apart) to configure your brain to be more assertive, confident, and comfortable, so you can be fully present at work.

Practice in a private space to give yourself a boost right before meetings, presentations, and other high stakes moments. It’s a great way to boost your confidence in the workplace and build your professional presence.

3. Aim for respect, not to please

Real confidence in the workplace comes from knowing your stuff, not from courting others’ approval.

Yet, many of us feel pressured into people-pleasing at work. But putting other people’s needs before our own is self-defeating. If you’ve got a big meeting or presentation coming up, take the time and space to practice and iron out any kinks in your delivery.

Visualizing successful work moments is another great confidence booster and will help you command the respect you deserve.

4. Channel your unique, authentic strengths

Trying to be a different version of yourself at work is exhausting and robs your employer of the benefits of your unique skillsets.

Stop feeling insecure at work and embrace what makes you different – and special. Harvard Business Review recommends tapping into your personal stories, experiences, and traits that combine to create your valuable point of view.

5. Use your body language to ‘hack’ feeling confident

Just like those high-energy colleagues everyone seems to trust implicitly, we’re more likely not to trust people who exude lowconfidence. But even if you’re a bag of nerves inside, you can project confidence in the workplace through non-verbal cues.

The way you talk. The way you dress. Your posture. Maintain eye contact, breathe deeply (slow breaths from the diaphragm), and lower your tone (a lower pitch can make you sound in more control). If you appear confident, you’ll start to feel confident too.

How to be more confident at work? Start by trusting yourself

If you’re doing your best to build up your confidence in the workplace – but if it doesn’t seem to be working, there might be other factors at play. Maybe the environment itself is toxic, or you’re struggling to in this particular type of role.

It might be a good time to talk to your boss or supervisor. Ask how they see your performance and what areas you could improve.

Or it might be time for a change. Start with Adecco. We connect candidates like you with great jobs.