Self-confidence is an important skill to have. Confident employees can take risks, live up to their potential, and share their opinions. When an employee lacks self-confidence, it leads them to underperform because they cannot believe in themselves.  Here are some tips to help boost your teammate’s confidence.

Provide regular feedback: 

Consistently give constructive feedback to your employees to help them improve their skills and abilities. According to Forbes magazine [1], Turnover rates are 14.9% lower when employees receive substantial feedback from their managers. 

While giving the feedback, try to use the term “we” instead of “you”. For example, when your employee is facing an issue, you can say something along the lines of “What can we do to tackle it?” or when inquiring about a deadline “Where are we on this project?”

Encourage risk-taking:

Keep encouraging your employees (especially the timid ones) to step outside their comfort zone, either by asking them to conduct a workshop or take the lead on a project. There are perks to being a wallflower, but growth isn’t one of them.

Set achievable goals: 

It can be easy sometimes to fall into the trap of raising the bar too high for ourselves and others. Remember to keep your goals S.M.A.R.T: (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely). This will help build confidence in employees as they achieve their goals.

Acknowledge successes:

 Celebrate your employees’ successes and accomplishments. It will enable them to feel valued and build their confidence. A heartwarming thank you email or an acknowledgment on the WhatsApp chat group can do wonders for your employees’ self-confidence. 

Offer training and development opportunities:

One thing that will help your employees build trust and nurture their loyalty to the workplace is the progress they see within themselves. That could be either by learning a new skill set or tackling projects they have yet to try. 

Lead by example: 

The team leader must know his job well and demonstrate the efficacy and discipline it takes to inspire the team to follow through. Your teammates are always watching, so take advantage of that. Demonstrate confidence and positivity in your work and interactions with others. This will inspire your employees to do the same.

Provide support:

Offer support and resources to your employees when needed. This will help them feel valued and confident in their abilities.

Life happens to us all; try to give that employee who is down with the flu a day off without them asking for it. Send flowers on their birthdays, check on your employees who are struggling emotionally or mentally, and try to observe what they need without them having to ask for it. 

Helping your employees build their self-confidence will inspire them to give their best to their job and others. If the leader cares, the employee will care. A healthy workplace is a workplace where everyone can win.

  [1] https://www.forbes.com/sites/heidilynnekurter/2020/08/24/managers-here-are-4-ways-to-help-your-employees-build-their-confidence/?sh=53f678911d38