Are you Self-Confident? #1

from Linked IN 10 June 13 enhanced by Peter/CXO Wiz4biz

What is Confidence?
Confidence is not bravado, or swagger, or an overt pretense of bravery. Confidence is not some bold or brash air of self-belief or conceit directed at others. Confidence is a natural expression of self-assurance in your ability, expertise, & self-esteem.

Who are Self-Confident people?
I’m fortunate to know a number of truly confident people and love the energy of their discussions – being around them. I have met them thru my Business Consulting, Entrepreneur Meetups or even soaking in the Hot Tub at my Fitness Club. [Talk to anyone who seems interesting] Confidence is not restricted. These peopl work in a wide variety of industries & professions. Some of the outsanding examples of “self-confident people” are Mary Kay Ash, Richard Branson, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Ray Kroc/ McDonalds, Donald Trump, Sam Walton\ Walmart. It comes as no surprise they all share a number of the nine (9) qualities of Confidence:

1. They take a Stand – not because they think they are always right, but because they are not afraid to be wrong. Cocky & conceited people tend to take a position and then proclaim, bluster, & totally disregard differing opinions or points of view. They know they’re “right” – and they want (actually they “need”) you to know it too. Their behavior isn’t a sign of confidence, though; it’s the hallmark of an intellectual bully. Truly confident people don’t mind being proven wrong. They feel finding out what is right is a lot more important than “being right”. And when they’re wrong, they’re secure enough to back down graciously. Truly confident people often admit they’re wrong or don’t have all the answers; intellectual bullies never do.

2. They Listen much more than they Speak. Bragging is a mask for insecurity. Truly confident people are quiet and un-assuming. They already know what they think; they want to know what “you think”. So they ask open-ended questions that give other people the freedom to be thoughtful & intro-spective: They ask what you do, how you do it, what you like about it, what you learned from it… and what they should do if they find themselves in a similar situation (etc). Truly confident people realize they know a lot, but they wish they knew more – and they know the only way to learn more is to listen more.

(Seven more qualities of Confidence continued in Premim Content)