How to Build Bravery and Confidence to Move Forward Fearlessly
“You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” Christopher Robin
Building Bravery in the Workplace
It seems like a simple concept, right? Be brave. Be bold. Have confidence. However, sometimes life and career setbacks or stagnation can make those things seem like an impossible feat.
Career stagnation often results from prolonged lapses in bravery, leading to fear-based decisions and actions. In the same light, career growth often hinges on moments of bravery, bold decisions, and taking small risks. At Exceptional Admins, we believe everyone has the potential for bravery and evolution. Our mission is to help professionals avoid feeling stuck due to extended periods of inaction caused by fear. It’s just a matter of finding the right steps forward. This article outlines those steps that begin with foundational ideas, building momentum toward more powerful and transformative actions.
Steps to Being Brave at Work
Step 1: Reflect and Reassess
Don’t underestimate the power of “thinking time”. Prioritize time for self-reflection where you can have an uninterrupted meeting with yourself to reflect on your goals, strengths, and areas for evolution. This introspective time is the first small act of bravery, acknowledging where you are and daring to imagine where you could be. Write down the pros and cons of your current situation and determine if it’s where you want to be.
Step 2: The Importance of Aligning Values
Being stuck in a career can sometimes stem from a mismatch between personal values and company culture. Some companies put their employees’ well-being at the core of their business; others put profits first. Evaluate whether your values align with the workplace’s. If not, this recognition could be a catalyst for exploring new career paths or companies. You should never sacrifice your values to “fit in”, even in your career.
Step 3: Surround Yourself with Inspiring People
If you are looking for a career change or if you want that promotion, seek out people who are excelling at it already. Bravery isn’t always a solo act. It’s influenced by the people around us. Seeking out mentors and peers who embody the qualities or successes you aspire to achieve not only provides valuable insights but also bolsters confidence.
Step 4: Your Personal Brand - Define Who You Are
Jeff Bezos describes your personal brand as “what people say about you when you’re not in the room.” Your personal brand is really about being the best version of yourself. It’s about owning your strengths and being purposeful about how you want to be perceived by others. Being deliberate and thoughtful about your personal brand is, in itself, an act of bravery, requiring honesty about strengths, opportunities, and aspirations. For example, if you’re known for your communication and organizational skills, think about how you can amplify these strengths in your current role. Check out BYPB (#2 in the Launch Pad below) for an enjoyable and easy course in personal branding.
Step 5: Build Confidence with Small, Smart Risks
It’s important to know that bravery isn’t about grand gestures, but often the small, smart risks that build confidence over time. It’s human nature to stick with the familiar rather than take a chance on the unknown. The goal is to be comfortable with the uncomfortable. Some examples: asking questions in meetings to help expand the conversation, taking on a challenging project, or pursuing opportunities to collaborate across different departments within the company. Identify what’s holding you back, and start overcoming it with small, manageable steps.
Step 6: Embrace Failure and Learn from It
When Thomas Edison said, “I’ve not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”, he understood the power of embracing failure. We often have a fight-or-flight response to failure, fearing criticism, embarrassment, or even job loss. However, failure is a necessary part of the evolution process. Reframing it as a learning opportunity rather than a setback fosters resilience, growth, and confidence. Make a list of past failures and reflect on what you’ve learned from each. Use those insights to fuel your next brave move. For more on this topic, check out the Perfectionism podcast episode in the additional resources below.
Step 7: Cultivate Resilience - Grit Over Talent
To be brave, to be confident, one must know how to build resilience. Resilience is the ability to tackle difficulties and setbacks, bounce back, regroup, and keep going. Becoming unstuck in your career, taking a different path, and achieving the results you want, will take resilience. In her book Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, Angela Duckworth’s research shows that when measuring success, the ability to persevere beats talent every time. Building resilience can come from setting incremental goals, practicing mindfulness, and staying connected to the bigger picture. For more on this topic, check out the Resiliency podcast episode in the additional resources below.
In Conclusion: The Bravery to Begin Again
As you’ve read, the path to a fulfilling career is built on moments of bravery and confidence—qualities that have been within you all along. It’s easy to forget your own strength and courage when faced with setbacks or uncertainty, but they are there, waiting to be tapped into.
Remember, you don’t need to make a giant leap to see progress. Start with one small, meaningful action toward your goals, and let that first step remind you of the bravery you already possess. Each act, no matter how small, builds upon the last, setting you on a course toward growth and change. For more on this topic, check out the Software Updated podcast episode in the additional resources below.
You’ve had the courage and confidence all along. Now is the time to embrace it, trust yourself, and take the first step forward.
Launch Pad:
Set a Weekly Challenge: Identify one small, brave action to take each week. Setting these challenges encourages continuous growth and builds your confidence over time.
Build Your Personal Brand: Take the time to reflect on how you want to be perceived in your career. Take the Building Your Personal Brand course to help you identify actionable steps that align with your vision and enhance your professional presence.
Expand Your Network: Reach out to someone who inspires you, whether it’s a potential mentor, a peer in your industry, or someone outside your immediate field to seek advice on your own path.
Track Your Wins: Start a "bravery journal" where you record moments, big or small, when you demonstrated courage or took a risk. Reflect on these regularly to remind yourself of your progress and to reinforce the habit of embracing bravery.
Additional Resources:
#eaPodcast: Perfectionism Explained - E: 115
#eaPodcast: Adding Resiliency to Your Skills - E: 1022
#eaPodcast: p.s. Software Update 11.1 to 11.2 - E: 056
#eaPodcast: p.s. Excited to Fail - E: 064