Do you want to be the most effective leader possible and make a lasting impact on the world around you? If so, confidence is the key.
Subscribe to the podcast here
This post contains affiliate links, which means if you choose to make a purchase via one of the links, we will receive a commission at no extra cost to you. This helps to support the costs of running the podcast and blog.
Over the next few weeks and months, we’re going to dive into confidence along with some related issues such as communication and stepping out of your comfort zone. These are all factors that are essential in leadership, so we are going to spend some time discussing what they look like and how you can move forward in them.
In a past episode, I shared why leading with confidence is important for us as Christian women. But I did not dive deep into the specific benefits of confidence and why it will help you become a more effective leader. If you missed that episode, be sure to go back and listen to it here.
5 Reasons Confidence Will Make You a More Effective Leader:
In this episode, I want to highlight some of the key benefits of confidence and why I think it matters for you (and me).
I’m starting with these assumptions:
- You want to be an effective leader
- You’re a Christian and want to make a Kingdom impact
- You desire to have more confidence
Reason #1: Your Confidence impacts the people who follow you
Who are the leaders that you are most often attracted to following? They might be charismatic or charming. But more importantly, you want to follow someone who is confident in the vision of where you are going as a team or organization.
If you are a leader who is confident and calm, people will find it easier to follow your leadership. Click To TweetSometimes as leaders, it feels like we are in unknown territory and we really don’t have a clue what we are doing. It can be tough to portray confidence if we don’t actually feel it at the moment.
But that’s where we have to go back to the true source of confidence, which I discussed in episode 6. Our confidence comes from God, not from ourselves.
Reason #2: Confidence helps you make decisions
A big part of leadership is making decisions. It often means facing difficult situations and having to be the one to decide. Sometimes, these tough decisions affect other people in either positive or negative ways.
As leaders we are also often on the receiving end of other people’s opinions and criticism. We talked about in episode 61 about standing firm in the face of Christian criticism. Because some of the harshest criticism we receive often comes from fellow Christians.
When it comes to making decisions, confidence will give you an extra layer of protection from the opinions of others. You will be able to make decisions, even the hard ones, because you know that you are doing what is right for the team or organization.
Reason #3: Confidence will help you speak up
We’ve all had those times when we are in a meeting or a situation and we know we’re supposed to speak up. Whether you are an introvert or an extrovert, I think there are times that we all struggle to speak up and say what needs to be said.
The more I have grown as a confident leader, the more times I’ve been able to speak up when it’s uncomfortable.
I believe this is a huge issue within the church; instead of saying what needs to be said, we often sweep things under the rug in an effort to be nice.
But the truth is, you’re going to make a bigger impact and be a better leader when you speak up.
Reason #4: Confidence helps you to step out of your comfort zone
Boldness is required for leadership. You must be willing to step out of your comfort zone whenever you are leading others.
Stepping out of your comfort zone often involves fear. It involves making hard decisions. It can mean walking away from something familiar into the unknown.
Without confidence, it’s really tough to step out of your comfort zone. But again, I want to remind you that I’m not talking about being confident in and of yourself and your own abilities here. I’m talking about being confident in who God made you to be, in the fact that he has given you gifts, abilities, and strengths that can be used for His glory.
Without confidence, it’s really tough to step out of your comfort zone.Click To TweetHere’s the other key point about this: confidence isn’t developed in a vacuum. It is grown and developed through action. Yes, you have to make sure your thoughts are lined up with God’s truth. But then you have to take action and trust that over time, your confidence will grow.
Reason #5: Confidence keeps you from comparison
Confidence will help you be shielded from the problem of comparison.
When you are confident, it means you’re not going to be focused on what other people are doing, because you are focused on who God has called you to be.
You won’t be discouraged when you see other amazing women doing awesome things… instead you’ll be excited and cheering them on. You’ll be okay with the fact that you’re not doing those things because you know what God is asking you to do right now.
Confidence will help you to be secure in walking the path that God has given you instead of longing to be on someone else’s journey.
And let me tell you, friend. When you can kick comparison out of your head, it makes a world of difference.
2 Tips for Becoming a Confident and Effective Leader:
Hopefully you can see why developing confidence as a leader is absolutely essential. Without it, it’s going to be tough to lead or make the impact that you could. Plus, I believe it’s Biblical to walk with confidence.
But what if you don’t feel like a confident leader and you’re not sure how to get started? Here are 2 tips to help you move forward.
Tip 1: Identify where you are at currently
Evaluate your current level of confidence and determine where your weak areas are. If you want some help with this, take my free quiz to find out your stage of confident leadership.
Keep in mind: your stage of leadership does not define who you are! And it’s okay if you are not where you want to be, because we all start somewhere, and we all have room to grow.
Tip 2: Take your next step
If you take the quiz, I’m going to provide you with a suggested “next step” at the end of the quiz. I want to make is SUPER easy for you to know one thing you can move forward with.
But maybe your next step isn’t what I suggest on the quiz. It could be something different. Perhaps God has been nudging you toward something and you keep putting it off. Now’s the time, my friend. Take that step.
As a reminder, these are the 5 reasons why you need confidence as a female Christian leader:
- Confidence impacts the people who follow you.
- Confidence helps you make decisions more effectively
- Confidence will help you speak up when it’s uncomfortable
- Confidence helps you to step out of your comfort zone
- Confidence keeps you from comparison
Which one of these reasons would make the biggest difference in your life right now? Tell me in the comments below or share inside of our private Facebook group for listeners.
Other Episodes Mentioned:
Episode 6: The Importance of Leading with Confidence
Episode 61: How to Stand Firm in the Face of Christian Criticism
Stay Connected:
Subscribe on your favorite podcast app. Click here to find all the options where you can find the podcast.
Join our Purposeful Leadership Facebook group! In the Facebook group, we can chat about what you need as a leader, what your challenges are, as well as celebrate the wins. This is a great community to learn and grow together. We want to get to know YOU.
[convertkit form=5179709]
Other Ways to Connect with Esther and the Christian Woman Leadership Podcast:
Pin it for later:
