The confidence vs competence conundrum
Last week, at the Women in Logistics Conference, one of the speakers, #Amanda Blesing presented on the difference between confidence and competence. While people may be competent they may not have confidence, others may be confident but without the competence. And it appears that confidence out performs competence when it comes to career or business success.
The research seems to indicate than in this conundrum, men are confident despite competence, yet women require competency before they become confident!!!
Rather than ‘fake it til you make it’, women wait for people to notice them.
Men on the other hand – give it a go and see what happens.
She argued that women are socialised to be perfect and as such fail to take as many risks as men when it comes to business and career progression are not afraid to make mistakes.
The difference between the way men and women network for example was summed up by the anecdote. Men get the job done and then go and play golf. Women go and play golf before negotiating the deal.
Other speakers touted the benefits of being your authentic self – bringing your qualities and values into the workforce to improve team development. While this seemed to be a contradiction between the speakers, our table decided that there is a comfortable place somewhere between exuding confidence and feeling like you are an impostor. That is by developing honest overconfidence you are more likely to be able to maintain success because it will feel more authentic.
That means overcoming any anxiety or fears – or working out what it really is that is holding you back? Are they unfounded? Can they be overcome? How can you present the best version of yourself while being true to yourself?
