June 13, 2023
Although progress has been made in recent years, we still see fewer women in higher levels of leadership. One factor that negatively impacts women is lower confidence levels early on in their careers. The graph below shows results based on 11,556 respondents to a Zenger Folkman confidence assessment. 59% of the data comes from US respondents, and 41% from other countries.
Listen to The 90th Percentile Podcast Episode 19: The Confidence Gap in Men and Women.
Looking at this data, two observations become clear. Confidence increases as people age, and women have significantly lower confidence levels until age 50.
Because a person’s confidence is an internal attribute, others cannot determine if an individual’s confidence is low or high by simply looking at them. Instead, we make attributions of others’ confidence based on the behaviors they demonstrate. Zenger Folkman had an interesting dataset of 421 women whose confidence was assessed using a self-assessment which was merged with another dataset of evaluations from Direct Reports on 60 differentiating behaviors.
Direct reports typically interact more with leaders and therefore know them better. On average, each leader was evaluated by 5 direct reports. By understanding the correlation between confidence and success, it becomes crucial for women to develop strategies that not only demonstrate their confidence but also build it from within.
Through a comprehensive analysis of data from Zenger Folkman assessments and direct reports’ evaluations, we have identified seven key behaviors, which we call confidence builders. By consciously practicing these behaviors, women can not only project confidence to others but also foster personal confidence and create a positive impact on their professional journeys.
Confidence is a critical ingredient for women’s success in their professional endeavors. By actively demonstrating confidence-building behaviors, women can not only project confidence to others but also cultivate a stronger belief in their own capabilities.
Through initiatives such as making positive changes within work groups, improving processes, championing new projects, effectively marketing ideas, spotting potential problems, representing teams to others, and taking on challenging goals, women can develop and nurture their confidence.
Remember, confidence is not a fixed trait but a skill that can be cultivated and continuously developed.
By embracing these confidence builders, women can break barriers, seize opportunities, and thrive in both personal and professional realms, paving the way for success and empowerment. Start implementing these strategies today and witness the transformative impact they have on your confidence and overall well-being.
-Joe Folkman
Check out Zenger Folkman’s online self-directed Mastering Confidence Course.
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