Self-doubt can undermine your confidence and effectiveness as a manager. Learn how to identify, reframe, act, seek support, and celebrate your progress.

Often, we may feel overwhelmed or anxious when we think about our future. My advice is to take a moment to pause, take a deep breath, and look back at your journey. Ask yourself - how did you get to where you are today? Did you have self-doubts along the way? Most likely the answer is yes, but did you let those doubts stop you? No, right! So why would you let your self-doubt stop you now? We often get in our own way... It's important to understand that experiencing an emotional rollercoaster is a part of life. We can't run away from emotions - they're what make us human. Our job is to learn how to regulate our emotions. Feel the fear/self-doubt and still carry on! Fear is nothing but a friend helping you see the areas that need work!

What do you do if your confidence as a manager is wavering due to self-doubt?

As a manager, you may sometimes feel insecure about your abilities, decisions, or performance. This is normal and human, but it can also undermine your confidence and effectiveness. Self-doubt can make you hesitate, second-guess yourself, or avoid taking action. It can also affect your relationships with your team, peers, and superiors. How can you overcome self-doubt and regain your confidence as a manager? Here are some tips to help you.

1 Identify the source

Self-doubt can stem from various factors, such as feedback, comparison, expectations, or imposter syndrome. The first step to overcoming it is to identify what triggers it and why. Is it a specific situation, person, or task that makes you doubt yourself? Is it a belief, fear, or assumption that holds you back? Is it a gap in your skills, knowledge, or experience that you need to address? By pinpointing the source of your self-doubt, you can better understand it and challenge it.

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2 Reframe your thoughts

Self-doubt often manifests as negative or irrational thoughts that undermine your confidence and abilities. For example, you may think that you are not good enough, that you will fail, or that others will judge you. These thoughts can become self-fulfilling prophecies if you let them. To counteract them, you need to reframe them into more positive and realistic ones. For example, you can remind yourself of your strengths, achievements, and potential. You can also use affirmations, feedback, or evidence to support your confidence and competence.

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3 Take action

One of the best ways to overcome self-doubt is to take action. By doing something, you can prove to yourself and others that you can handle it, learn from it, and improve. Taking action also helps you gain momentum, feedback, and results. You don't have to wait until you feel confident to act. You can start with small steps, such as setting a goal, making a plan, or asking for help. By taking action, you can build your confidence and overcome your self-doubt.

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Alex Bazin, Ph.D.

Entrepreneur | IT | Telco, FinTech & Analytics Professional
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When self-doubt creeps in, challenge negative thoughts with positive affirmations. Remind yourself of your strengths, skills, and past successes. Understand that making mistakes is a natural part of growth and development. Instead of dwelling on failures, focus on the lessons learned and how you can improve. Engage in ongoing learning and development. This not only enhances your skills but also boosts confidence in your abilities.

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4 Seek support

You don't have to deal with self-doubt alone. You can seek support from others who can help you boost your confidence and overcome your challenges. For example, you can talk to a mentor, coach, or colleague who can offer you advice, guidance, or feedback. You can also join a network, group, or community of managers who can share their experiences, insights, or resources. By seeking support, you can learn from others, get different perspectives, and feel more connected and confident.

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Ignacio Polosa

LinkedIn Executive Management Top Voice. CFO Latam. Finance and tax planning Senior executive. M&A experience. Tech & AI fan.
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Consider seeking professional coaching or mentoring to address specific challenges and enhance your managerial skills. A coach can provide personalized guidance and support tailored to your needs.

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Alex Bazin, Ph.D.

Entrepreneur | IT | Telco, FinTech & Analytics Professional
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Reach out to your team members, colleagues, or mentors for feedback. Sometimes an outside perspective can provide valuable insights into your strengths and areas for improvement. Pay attention to the positive feedback you receive. Often, we tend to dwell on criticism, but positive feedback can be a powerful confidence booster.

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5 Celebrate your progress

Another way to overcome self-doubt is to celebrate your progress and achievements. By acknowledging and appreciating your efforts, results, and growth, you can reinforce your confidence and motivation. You can also use your progress as a source of feedback and learning. You can reflect on what worked well, what didn't, and what you can do better. You can also set new goals, challenges, or opportunities to stretch yourself and grow. By celebrating your progress, you can overcome your self-doubt and become a more confident and effective manager.

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6 Hereâ€™s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that donâ€™t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Aysha Khan

CIO and CISO at Treasure Data | Advisor, Investor, Speaker, Coach & Culture Builder | Driving Business Growth & Innovation
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Often, we may feel overwhelmed or anxious when we think about our future. My advice is to take a moment to pause, take a deep breath, and look back at your journey. Ask yourself - how did you get to where you are today? Did you have self-doubts along the way? Most likely the answer is yes, but did you let those doubts stop you? No, right! So why would you let your self-doubt stop you now? We often get in our own way... It's important to understand that experiencing an emotional rollercoaster is a part of life. We can't run away from emotions - they're what make us human. Our job is to learn how to regulate our emotions. Feel the fear/self-doubt and still carry on! Fear is nothing but a friend helping you see the areas that need work!

Like
Alex Bazin, Ph.D.

Entrepreneur | IT | Telco, FinTech & Analytics Professional
Report contribution
Practice mindfulness or meditation to help manage stress and cultivate a positive mindset. Ensure you're taking care of your physical health through exercise, proper nutrition, and sufficient rest. Physical well-being contributes to mental resilience.

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What do you do if your confidence as a manager is wavering due to self-doubt?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Identify the source

2 Reframe your thoughts

3 Take action

4 Seek support

5 Celebrate your progress

6 Hereâ€™s what else to consider

Management

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Directory

What do you do if your confidence as a manager is wavering due to self-doubt?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Identify the source

2 Reframe your thoughts

3 Take action

4 Seek support

5 Celebrate your progress

6 Hereâ€™s what else to consider

Management

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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