Gauge Your Confidence Level Test
A) Very Confident
B) Somewhat Confident
C) Not Very Confident
If you answered “A,” it is likely you are over 45 years old.
If you answered “B,” you are likely in the 35-44 age range.
If your answer is “C,” you probably fall into the 18-24 age brackets.
According to American Confidence Institute (ACI)–an agency that “by researching the causes and impact of confidence…helps corporate executives, women and entrepreneurs be more impactful leaders”—research indicates that people’s confidence ebbs and flows throughout their lifetime. Confidence, knowing you can face any situation and handle it, alters how we conduct ourselves in school, work, social situations and relationships.
Why is confidence important?
According to ACI, core confidence helps effective leaders to:
-
- Influence and inspire others
- Increase focus and prioritization
- Increase personal and professional satisfaction
- Reduce Stress
If you feel more (or less) confident than you felt in the past, your age is one of the contributing factors. Confidence factors evolve, as we grow older.
What promotes confidence most at certain ages in women and men?
- 18-24 years Clothing/Friendship/Educational Achievement
- 25-34 years Financial Control
- 35-44 years Career Achievement
- 44+ years Partner or Spouse Relationships/Physical Health
“Confidence is lowest between 18-35 as we figure out who and what we want to be,” according to American Confidence Institute. After 45 years old, confidence increases, people tend to become more extroverted, and they take criticism better.
When we are younger, materialistic things give us confidence. As we age, intangible things such as health and our personal relationships increase our confidence.
What boosts confidence in women and men at any age?
Below is the ranking of confidence boosters in women and men from most important to least important:
WOMEN MEN
Friendship Career Achievement
Career Achievement Education
Education/Book Smarts Resourcefulness/Street Smarts
Resourcefulness/Street Smarts Physical Health
A woman’s friends influence her confidence significantly more than a man’s friends do. If friendship is that powerful an influencer, one could reason that surrounding oneself with the right friends might also influence a woman’s confidence and career. If her friends lack confidence or never attain success, does that influence a woman’s own success as well? Food for thought.
What is certain is that confidence can increase. Imagine the career boost if you increased your confidence now rather than waiting for it to increase naturally! If you already possess amazing confidence, kudos. However, women who desire to become stronger, more effective leaders should take steps to increase their confidence.
And consider the benefits to increasing the confidence of everyone on your team. Assessments, individual coaching, and business consulting services are available through companies like ACI and can be invaluable investments for the future of your team, your department or your company.
Data Courtesy of American Confidence Institute
TAGS: career confidence leadership