What Is Confident means?
Hi, Today’s topic is an intriguing one: What is confidence or what is confident means?
Confident means, as I define it, is the consistent felt experience of success. However, there’s more to this concept than meets the eye. There’s a mystery embedded in the word confidence that, when uncovered, can deepen our understanding of what it truly means.
The Mystery behind Confidence
The word confidence originates from Latin. It’s derived from two words: con (meaning “with”) and fidelis (meaning “faith”). Together, confidence literally means “with faith” or “faithfully.”
In modern usage, we don’t often associate confidence with faith. So, why does confidence mean “faithfully”?
The Connection between Confidence and Faith
Confidence is most needed when stepping into situations with uncertain outcomes—when you haven’t yet proven that you can succeed or meet expectations. In these moments, there’s no concrete evidence to confirm that you’ll achieve what’s required.
In the absence of evidence, taking action demands belief beyond what you can prove. This belief beyond evidence is what we call faith.
Confidence is, in essence, faith in yourself.
You may not have a logical or tangible reason to believe that you can succeed, yet you choose to believe anyway. This belief motivates you to take action, despite uncertainty.
Why Faith Matters
This is why it’s said that faith can move mountains. Without faith, no action is possible. But even a small amount of faith can lead to significant achievements.
Confidence isn’t just faith in success; it’s faith in your ability to face and overcome adversity as it arises. Confidence whispers:
- “I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I trust that I’ll handle it.”
- “If obstacles arise, I’ll find a way—or make one.”
“I may not have evidence of success yet, but I believe in my ability to rise to the occasion.”
The True Meaning of Confidence
The mystery of confidence lies in its roots. To be confident is to act with faith—faith in your own abilities, resilience, and potential for success. It’s this faith that propels action and fuels progress, even in the face of uncertainty.
What do you think? Does this perspective on confidence resonate with you?
The Importance of Confident Communication at Work
Over the years of coaching professionals, I’ve noticed that a lack of confidence in communication often holds people back from advancing in their careers. This confidence isn’t just about how well you do your job but also about how clearly and articulately you communicate your thoughts.
Many professionals are extremely competent but struggle to gain visibility because they are either softly spoken or overly considerate in their approach. This can result in a lack of respect and recognition, even if they deliver exceptional results. Your ability to be heard is directly linked to how confident and competent you appear. Without perceived competence, it’s challenging to gain the visibility needed for career growth.
In this article, I’ll share five actionable tips to boost your communication skills and help you articulate your thoughts clearly. These strategies will ensure that you are heard, respected, and gain the visibility you need to accelerate your career.
5 Tips for Confident Communication
Stop Thinking About Yourself
Many professionals feel nervous when sharing their ideas because they’re overly focused on how they’re being perceived. Thoughts like, “I hope I’m making sense” or “I hope they agree” create unnecessary pressure, making you appear uncertain or nervous.
Shift your focus to the message you’re conveying and the impact you want it to have. Project your voice, use clear words, and maintain an open body posture. This immediately exudes confidence and assures others, even if you’re feeling unsure internally.
Figure Out What You Want to Say
Having a clear point of view is essential. When you’re unsure about a topic, asking thoughtful questions can be just as impactful as providing insights. For instance, you might say, “Jason, that’s an interesting perspective. How did you come up with that?”
Additionally, back your points with evidence. Whether it’s a statistic, a report, or insights from a colleague, referencing third-party evidence adds weight to your arguments and ensures you are taken seriously.
Avoid Verbal Mistakes
Common verbal mistakes include speaking too quietly, too quickly, or using disclaimers like, “This might be a silly idea…” Such phrases undermine your credibility and plant doubts in others’ minds about your confidence.
Instead, slow down, use pauses effectively, and maintain eye contact to give your audience time to absorb your message. These simple adjustments enhance both your delivery and your credibility.
Don’t Wait Until You Know All the Answers
Perfectionism or fear of rejection can hold you back from contributing unless you’re absolutely sure your input is flawless. This approach often results in missed opportunities when someone else shares the same idea and receives the credit.
Learn to speak up, even if you’re not entirely certain. Your perspectives are just as valid as anyone else’s, and contributing regularly helps build your confidence over time.
Structure Your Responses
Nervousness can lead to rambling or sharing irrelevant information. To communicate effectively, structure your responses in three parts:
- Context: Provide background for your comment. For example, “Building on what Simon shared earlier, I want to connect this to our project.”
- Content: Share your main point or question.
- Closure: Wrap up with an intended outcome. For instance, “It would be great to discuss this further in our next meeting.”
This structure keeps your communication focused and ensures your thoughts are conveyed with clarity and purpose.
Conclusion
Confident means acting with faith in your abilities despite uncertainty. Embrace it, and you’ll find the strength to overcome any challenge. By following these five tips, you can communicate more confidently, articulate your thoughts clearly, and appear more authoritative and credible at work. Confident communication is a skill that can transform how you’re perceived by colleagues, managers, and your organization, paving the way for career advancement.
