Confidence is Like a Muscle

"Confidence is like a muscle," says, Scott Litchfield of WJM Associates, as reported by John Baldoni in an old blog post from 2009. John goes on to say, "I like that analogy for two reasons. First, it connotes that confidence comes from within ; it is something we can work on. Second, it puts leaders who must demonstrate confidence in order to attract followership on notice that it is their responsibility to nurture it."

I agree with John's sentiment that confidence comes from within. And, if we agree that confidence is like a muscle, we can agree that as we work that muscle it becomes stronger. I believe this is important for all of us, not just those in a formal position of leadership. Leading yourself with confidence requires being intentional about leading any effort well. Building your confidence muscle can allow you the opportunity to be very influential.

Lead yourself with intention inside the walls of your household and see how your family grows stronger through your example. Lead yourself with a clear aim at church and watch how others appreciate what you model. Lead yourself with the goal of making a positive impact at school, in politics, in your community, with your neighbors, as you drive down the highway, while you check out at the grocery store. Opportunities to lead yourself well are endless! And so it is with bulking up your confidence like a muscle. Every time you lead well it is as though you are lifting a weight of confidence.

You lead well, your confidence muscle grows stronger. The stronger you are, the better you feel about leading yourself. The connection is real and very powerful. Recognize that your can build your confidence like a muscle and start pumping weights today!