How to Have Healthy Confidence

Our world is increasingly uncertain. The global economy is complicated and unpredictable. Team members in any business, ministry, or corporation need leaders who radiate confidence.

Assured leaders inspire passion and energy. Their clarity motivates others to act, provides a sense of security and ownership, and their confidence becomes contagious.

However, effective leadership requires more than self-reliance. In The Power Paradox: How We Gain and Lose Influence, Dacher Keltner writes:

“The seductions of power induce us to lose the very skills that enabled us to gain power in the first place.”⁠

Those who have encountered an overconfident and ego-driven boss recognize how challenging it is to endure them. Position and authority are seductive forces that consistently require tempering. If left unchecked, confidence can quickly morph into an unhealthy ego where objectivity becomes cloudy, we falsely believe we can do no wrong, and we set ourselves up for failure. There’s a fine line between confidence and arrogance. The antidote to unhealthy confidence is humility. Wisdom teaches us:

“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.” – Proverbs 11:2 (ESV)

Jim Collins’s book Good to Great introduces us to “Level Five Leaders.” These are the ones who move beyond “good” to being “great.” His research reveals that these leaders did not have huge personalities or egos.

The common characteristic of these “great” leaders is a sense of humility. They are self-aware, knowing they cannot accomplish the goal alone. When things go wrong, they quickly self-examine and ask: “How can I improve to lead this team better?” When things went right, they looked outward: “Look at this team. Look what they achieved.”⁠

An uncertain, complicated, and unpredictable world requires confident AND humble leaders, and that’s a delicate balance. Here are some questions I’ve been asking:

• How do others perceive my leadership?
• Is my confidence rooted in humility? If not, why?
• Do my position and authority require tempering?
• Am I willing to humble myself under God’s mighty hand, so he will exalt me in his time? – (See 1 Peter 5:6). If not, why?

Thanks for your leadership.

Richard

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