Confident to manage own life
They possess an inner compass that gives them confidence that their decisions are right.
Self-Assurance can be less about confidence, and more about courage. It is not always that they know that their opinions are true, but it is that they naturally include themselves as part of the solution. They bring an ability to bravely lead the way. They bring something within themselves that is going to solve any issues they may come across. It is not influencing by pushing the group from behind. It is more going in front and realizing the group is attracted to following you. People with strong Self-Assurance can lead the way. Because they deeply trust their own instincts, they can forge ahead confidently, even on risky paths. They instill confidence in others and show initiative in the midst of turbulence and uncertainty.
Self-Assurance does not qualify their decisions based on the feelings of others. It can be a powerful thing, but it can also be a dangerous thing[1]. It can lead to jumping in and going for it without assessing risk. It is being comfortable being there and going alone, but knowing that perhaps you don’t have to. You just have to go first. It is the ability to connect people to a cause because you are representing it with such courage and bravery. It is the mentality of me vs. we. If you are leading and no one is following, you are not really leading. You are just out there by yourself. Mature lends you that ability to get to lead from the front, and instill the confidence and trust in the people you are pulling behind you.
Be thoughtful[2] about your approach.
Self-Assurance is not synonymous with self-confidence, but rather courage. Raw Self-Assurance is just that courage. It is the blind ability to factor yourself into the equation. You are there without armor, because you are an important part to solving the problem. What drives you from one end of the spectrum to the other is credibility. It is a quest for knowledge, experience and subject matter expertise. The more credibility you have, the more confidence you can bring.
You might not see a lot people lead with this in a mature way. They read Self-Assurance and see the word arrogance instead of assurance. It does take development. It takes looking at the themes around you, and asking yourself if what you are leading aligns with who you are and where you want to go. Who could your followers be? Who are they already? It is the ability to understand your lack of hesitation, and the ability to stay calm in a storm. There is a willingness to take risks with Self-Assurance. That willingness of taking that risk is something to pay attention to. How do you grow your understanding of risk? How do you specialize in it? How do you learn more?
Study success. Look at other organizations in your industry. What has worked for other people? Practice adding words to your perspective, because it is powerful. People with Self-Assurance have a powerful inner compass. Focus on how that compass is going to get out of you and into other people.
What is the best way to communicate and persuade? Are there places you can lend your Self-Assurance? Are there individuals that have a cause worth championing that you can be a champion of? You are confident in your abilities, and so let other people follow that confidence. Work a little harder to be more inclusive.
Be that calming presence. Find where you are the most calm, the most bold, and lean into those situations.
Theme Thursday Podcast brings thought leaders to deep dive on each StrengthsFinder theme.
The time invested is worth it - learn about Self-assurance with a leader lens.
When Self-Assurance is soaring...
Tip of the spear
Self-confident
Strong inner compass
Risk taker
Connected
Plugged in
You are an agent of action with Self-Assurance. Ask yourself where you can lend your certainty through making things happen, or going with your intuition.
The power and edge of Self-Assurance is your ability to trust that inner compass. Lean into this and think about how you can use this at its very best.
When Self Assurance is on over drive...
Lone soldier
Arrogant
Self-righteous
Over confident
Stubborn
Closed off
A leader with Self-Assurance...
Add to their trust building repertoire by being able to put their fear into words. Talk to others about how you attack things you’re afraid of. Self-Assurance in many cases can be very independent.
To build compassion think about who enhances your life, and how do you offer love to others? Think about how you are building those relationships with people who can make your life better?
To build stability think about establishing a really solid team, and help your followers see why you believe in them. What is your next ambitious goal, and how can you aim higher? For your own goals and your organization’s goals, think about making them big, and make sure to never let yourself off the hook too easily. This can diminish some of the fire you bring.
Build hope by also providing this to others. Help them stretch their goals beyond what they thought was possible, or logical, and into that place where their gut tells them they can do it.
