Leaders Need To Believe in Themselves

In over three decades of qualifying, training and working with over one thousand leaders, it has become increasing obvious to me that if someone in leadership lacks self confidence and/ or does not believe in his abilities, there is almost no chance that he will achieve success.
John Di Lemme wrote, "Believe in yourself.
If you don't, then no one else will have a reason to.
" There are always numerous obstacles and challenges that arise during a leader's term, and the greatest leaders must always be able to make timely decisions, even when they are not popular.
Obviously this requires considerable self- belief.
1.
Effective leader must be decisive leaders.
In order to make timely decisions, a leader must believe in his abilities, knowledge, expertise, and ability to analyze situations.
The worst leaders are invariably procrastinators because of many factors, but predominantly because they do not sufficiently have confidence in their own decisions.
2.
Self belief is generally developed over a period of time, and is almost never innate.
One begins to have the necessary self confidence because he develops or learns the knowledge, garners the experience (which helps develop true expertise), and permits him to proceed without needing to seek approval from others.
3.
Effective leaders fully understand and develop a comfort with the decision making process.
This process requires first gathering relevant factors by asking the necessary questions.
Those in leadership positions who lack confidence rarely feel comfortable with asking "difficult" questions and thus generally avoid these important procedures whenever they can.
After asking questions as well as following up in detail when necessary, a true leader has the skills to use that information to effectively analyze a situation and weigh ramifications and impacts as fully as possible.
However, it all begins with self confidence.
4.
The greatest leaders always expand their "comfort zones" to permit them to do tasks and undertakings that they are not originally comfortable with.
Reality is that no one is fully comfortable at first with all aspects of leadership, but only confident leaders are comfortable enough with themselves to be able to take a "look inside," analyze their personal strengths and weaknesses, and work on making themselves a better leader.
The only great leaders are those that never neglect any essential part of leadership.
It is important to realize that self- confidence is far different from someone being an egomaniac.
Egomaniacs are often not truly self confident, and "act out" to compensate for their own self doubts.
True self confidence permits a leader to take timely action when necessary, say "yes" when he should as well as having the ability to say "no," and to be decisive and focused on his vision for his organization.