Confidence - competence loop

In our professional journey, we often encounter the interconnected dance between competence and confidence. This dynamic duo shapes not only our individual paths, but also the collective success of our teams and the clients we serve. This edition of “Seeds for Growth” delves into the fascinating concept of the confidence-competence loop. At its core, the confidence-competence loop is a self-reinforcing cycle where increased competence leads to greater confidence and in turn, greater confidence further enhances competence. It is a symbiotic relationship that propels us forward, driving growth, innovation and excellence in our work.

Picture yourself as an archer. Confidence empowers us to take the bow and aim for the bull’s eye — our goal. Competence, on the other hand, ensures that we hit it. And as we hit it once, we gain the confidence to aim again and as we keep practicing, our competence increases. It is a cycle that can fuel endless growth and achievement. You can also think of confidence and competence as two sides of the same coin, each feeding off and strengthening the other.

Here are some strategies to work on your confidence and competence:

Boosting confidence

1. Clear goal setting: Set clear, achievable goals to draft a roadmap to success, as each fulfilled goal boosts confidence in your abilities.

2. Celebrate small achievements: Celebrate every single achievement, large or small, as positive reinforcement is the key to progress.

3. Use visualization techniques: Visualize success in your endeavors on a regular basis to foster a mindset of self-belief and confidence.

4. Self-care and wellbeing: A focus on inner ´sustainability´ can work wonders for your self-esteem and overall confidence levels.

5. Connect deeply: Positive interactions in the workplace, supportive, positive people who encourage and uplift your confidence are key.

6. Positive affirmations: Practice positive affirmations to yourself daily to boost your belief in your abilities. My favorite from my marathon running is: “Em, you have got this!”

Enhancing Competence

1. Learning for performance: Pursue experiential learning to enhance your skills’ levels and business acumen.

2. Practice and experience: Transact on your skills on relevant project work, hands on practice and experiences.

3. Seek feedback: A critical part of improving competence involves seeking and implementing feedforward on your performance.

4. Learn from failures and mistakes: Treat failures and mistakes as an opportunity to learn and improve. As we learn from it, every mistake is a chance to grow and refine our approach.

5. Adaptability and learning agility: Cultivating adaptability and an eagerness to learn and unlearn plays a significant role in enhancing competence levels.

6. Mentorship and coaching: Seek the guidance of a mentor or coach to further develop your skills.

The positive confidence-competence loop is a practical approach to personal development and you can think of it as a ladder, each rung leading to an empowered version of yourself. We thought of this roadmap, unpacking tips and strategies to successfully support you implementing the loop into your professional life:

And remember tread the ladder one step at a time.....

Step 1: Understanding the loop:

Firstly, comprehend the symbiotic relationship between confidence and competence. Acknowledge that confidence propels action which builds competence and enhanced competence further bolsters confidence.

Step 2: Self-assessment:

Take stock of your existing skills and strengths. For instance, via this free assessment. Also, talk to your counselor and identify areas where you would like to improve. This process helps to identify your baseline competence and confidence levels.

Step 3: Setting goals:

Based on your self-assessment, set achievable short-term and long-term goals, related to both confidence and competence. For instance, if you struggle with public speaking, a short-term goal might be to give a presentation in front of a small group and a long-term goal might be to speak confidently at a client meeting.

Step 4: Action plan:

Map out an action plan for reaching your goals. Break down larger goals into small, manageable steps. Consider activities that align with your objectives and also match your interests — this will make the journey towards competence feel less like a chore and more enjoyable.

Step 5: Take action:

Now, get started! The course of action could range from enrolling in a learning course, starting an EY Badge, finding a mentor or merely practicing a skill systematically through day-to-day project work. Remember, perseverance is vital. After all, success is none other than constancy of purpose!

Step 6: Embrace failures:

As you embark on this journey, failures and setbacks are bound to occur. Remember, these are your most significant opportunities to learn and build resilience, both keys to growing your competence and confidence.

Step 7: Celebrate progress:

Recognize and celebrate your progress, no matter how small. Positively reinforce your achievements; this will go a long way in boosting your confidence.

Step 8: Keep learning:

Never stop learning! Be curious, expand your knowledge and capacity, refine your skills and keep the confidence-competence loop spinning.

Step 9: Pay it forward:

As you reap the benefits of the confidence-competence loop, consider becoming a mentor yourself or a facilitator, sharing your knowledge and experiences and helping others to realize their potential.

As a final thought and a nudge for your consideration, try integrating the confidence-competence loop into your personal and professional life as part of a journey of self-discovery and growth. With dedication, resilience and a belief in your abilities, you can unlock your full potential and navigate challenges with confidence. Our counselors play a crucial role in facilitating this process, creating environments that foster learning and empowerment, so discuss this with them. And remember that embracing the loop means embracing change, confronting fears and celebrating successes along the way. Together, as we champion the confidence-competence loop, we cultivate a culture of continuous improvement and collective progress, paving the way for a better working world.

So, as you embark on your journey through the loop, remember to be patient, persistent and positive, for with each iteration, you will emerge stronger and more capable than before.

Useful resources on this topic to progress your thinking:

TEDx Talks (10-20 minutes):

Listen to Amy Cuddy, a social psychologist, "Your body language may shape who you are," where she advocates for 'power posing' as a means to alter our body chemistry and transform our self-perception, ultimately impacting how we present and see ourselves.

Watch David Kelley, a design firm founder, talk on "How to build your creative confidence."

Podcast/YouTube video (approx. 3 hours):

Georges St-Pierre: The Science of Fighting | Lex Fridman Podcast #179 - YouTube: A lengthy podcast episode featuring MMA champion St-Pierre who discusses mental fortitude and training leading to competence and confidence.

Books:

Mastery : The Key to Success & Long Term : Leonard, George: Amazon.in: Books: Read an enlightening perspective on how the path to mastery, a journey towards achieving utmost competence, is a process rather than a goal.

Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway : Jeffers, Susan: Amazon.in: Books: Talks about confrontation with fears and channeling them into confidence and decisiveness. The author offers practical advice to transform fear into catalysts for great achievements.