Self-confidence is that delicate space between those filled with desperation and those whose egos are riddled with arrogance. During my years of coaching sales managers and sales leaders, the more successful ones have often suggested that their own self-confidence is enhanced by the explicit positive actions, behaviours and successes of those they have worked with or observed. If that is in fact true then as sales managers and sales leaders we have an obligation to manage our own self-confidence levels and inspire others to positively manager theirs.

It is my experience that for many self-confidence levels are well below those that are deemed successful and much more fragile than we would imagine. The mindset is one of “can’t do” rather than “can do” and imprinted by many more negative versus positive influencers, combined with often a high level of rejection found in sales cultures.  I would suggest that within my coaching practice the underlying traits of self-confidence are well below healthy levels for the majority of sales managers and sales leaders I see. I would further suggest that a healthy level of self-confidence is a corner stone to sales performance and success.

Self-confidence is generally described as a mental state of being certain or self-assured with any thought or situation in the moment. It is also suggested that self-confidence is an emotional state of mind or belief in one-self to step forward and succeed. Self-confidence enables individuals to obtain control of situations or circumstances rather than being controlled by them which can cause anxiety or un-necessary and un-healthy fears – Positive expectations for positive outcomes. 

I offer this; that the self-confidence you have within yourself is yours and belongs only to you. It is something you should protect and continue to build on even if that means a face-to-face chat with yourself in the reflection you see when you look into a mirror. I would never suggest that it will not come under extreme pressure from time to time but the controlling power is within you. Learn how to use your self-confidence as a means to out-perform others around you. If you believe in yourself then you will gain the upper hand on those that are unable to have those same positive beliefs. It means in all situations and regardless of who is around you that you can be in control and are willing to take all necessary steps to accomplish what is set out in front of you. Your self-confidence is the foundation to your personal and professional successes. I would encourage you to never allow anyone to strip away the self-confidence you have in yourself.  It is yours to keep and hang onto forever.  Only you can allow others to diminish the self-confidence you have in yourself.

As you learn to accept your own level of self-confidence and use it in a positive way it can be a powerful tool in advancing you closer to your personal and professional goals. Be sure that you don’t mistake uncontrolled ego for controlled or perceived self-confidence in yourself and in others. In my opinion it is both the self-confidence that sales managers and sales leaders have of themselves equally to the confidence that they have in the sales people they manage or lead. The success of leadership should not be a measurement of the leader alone but rather by the confidence within those that they are accountable for – A sales culture of self-confidence!

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