Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - 67

CAREER
DEVELOPMENT
CRISIS OF CONFIDENCE?
The past three years of cascading
crises have introduced a visceral
understanding of just how volatile
and unpredictable the workplace can
be. People have had more time for
reflection and introspection. And we've
spent hours looking at our own video
images thanks to virtual platforms. Is
it any wonder that many employees
are experiencing a dip in confidence?
Various studies have uncovered a
significant lack of certainty in everything
from their skills to their networks:
* More than one-third of those polled
by Degreed feel less confident that
they have the skills to do their jobs
well (compared to pre-pandemic).
* A mere 9% of tech workers express
feeling confident in their job security,
according to a survey from Blind.
* Only one out of four employees
participating in a recent Gartner poll
is confident about their career path
at their current organization.
* Approximately 9 in 10 women aren't
confident in their professional networks
according to research conducted by
Fairygodboss. The same study reports
that 1 in 2 women are not very confident
at work right now.
Add to all of this the usual run-of-themill
imposter syndrome that 65% of
the population experiences according
to InnovateMR, and it's safe to say
that we have a crisis of confidence in
today's workplace.
WHY DOES IT MATTER?
Anyone who's ever felt a dip in confidence
knows the personal discomfort it inspires
- discomfort that likely compounds
already extraordinary levels of burnout.
But the potential consequences extend far
beyond personal feelings into the realm
of performance and retention. According
to research conducted by Indeed, 98%
of those surveyed reported performing
better when they feel confident and a
whopping 96% are more likely to stay if
they feel confident. As a result, there's a
clear business case to understand and
address this crisis of confidence - now.
CONVERSATION BUILDS
TRUST, RAPPORT AND
RELATIONSHIPS.
HOW CAN WE " MAKE IT " SO THEY
DON'T HAVE TO " FAKE IT " ?
The advice, " fake it 'til you make it, "
may only be exacerbating the problem.
Employees may be inclined to put on
their game faces and force confidence
issues underground, amplifying existing
stress and anxiety levels. Fortunately,
there are strategies to elevate
confidence in ways that support the
individual and organization. Consider
leveraging executives, managers and
learning to make this happen.
Leverage executives to elevate
confidence. A lack
of
confidence -
whether in one's capacity, job security,
career path or professional network -
frequently triggers shame and secrecy
on the part of employees. Executives
demonstrating vulnerability, authenticity
and transparency around their own
struggles and lack of certainty offers a
measure of psychological safety for others
to do the same.
Leverage
managers
to elevate
confidence. Managers need your help to
develop the confidence required to take
constructive action. This might include
tools, templates or strategies for engaging
in meaningful, ongoing dialogue with
employees. Conversation - whether
scheduled and formal or more ad hoc -
builds trust, rapport and relationships. It
allows managers to regularly check in
with others, monitor changes and pick up
on changes in confidence levels.
Additionally, most managers would
benefit from enhancing their ability to
offer candid yet constructive feedback.
Knowing that they have someone they
can count on for honesty goes a long
way toward addressing employee
confidence issues.
Leverage learning to elevate confidence.
Want to take advantage of your current
learning efforts to strategically address
confidence as well? Ask yourself if you're:
* Offering the experiences and skills
people need to thrive today and
embrace tomorrow.
* Making learning accessible at the
point of need.
* Ensuring sufficient application,
rehearsal, practice and feedback to
promote a sense of competence.
* Facilitating connections among learners
to build workplace relationships and
support.
Confidence - long known to contribute
to personal satisfaction and well-being
- also leads to business success.
Which is why now is the perfect time to
conquer the crisis and begin cultivating
greater confidence.
Julie Winkle Giulioni is the author of the
bestselling books, " Promotions Are SO
Yesterday " and " Help Them Grow or
Watch Them Go. " Email Julie.
JULIE WINKLE
GIULIONI
TRAINING INDUSTRY MAGAZINE - WINTER 2023 I WWW.TRAININGINDUSTRY.COM/MAGAZINE
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https://www.indeed.com/lead/confidence-at-work https://trainingindustry.com/articles/remote-learning/3-ways-to-help-your-team-combat-virtual-meeting-fatigue/ https://trainingindustry.com/articles/remote-learning/3-ways-to-help-your-team-combat-virtual-meeting-fatigue/ https://stateofskills.degreed.com/?utm_source=PRSS-RSR-PANCommunications-DSA-RPRT-stateofskillsreport--11_2020 https://stateofskills.degreed.com/?utm_source=PRSS-RSR-PANCommunications-DSA-RPRT-stateofskillsreport--11_2020 https://www.teamblind.com/blog/index.php/2022/07/27/startup-tech-layoffs-recession-fears/ https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2022-09-15-gartner-hr-research-finds-just-25-percent-of-employees-are-confident-about-their-career-at-their-current-organization https://fairygodboss.com/articles/confidence-at-work-research/?utm_source=forbespress&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=confidenceresearch https://fairygodboss.com/articles/confidence-at-work-research/?utm_source=forbespress&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=confidenceresearch https://blog.innovatemr.com/are-you-an-imposter?utm_source=PR_Newswire&utm_medium=Press_Release&utm_campaign=Release_2021 https://www.trainingindustry.com/magazine

Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023

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