Page 89 - Roy W. Rice - CEO Material How to Be a Leader in Any Organization-McGraw-Hill (2009)

70 • CEO Material: How to Be a Leader in Any Organization

With confidence, you hire and develop the right people because you
aren’t jealous of the abilities of others. You aren’t afraid to surround your-
self with people who are better than you. Fewer slackers, dingdongs, and
knuckleheads slip through your recruiting process.
There is an absence of trepidation among your group because nei-
ther you nor they—by your example—feel vulnerable in being wrong.
Differing opinions get voiced because folks aren’t apprehensive of your
insecurities. Time and effort are not wasted in irrelevant and insignifi-
cant thought or activity.

Confidence is a game played between your own two ears.
ƒ

It took me several years to realize people saw me and my accom-
plishments, not the poor, abused girl with alcoholic parents. I spent
a lot of time in that ineffective mind-set.

You’ll make decisions sooner because advancement, not fear of
failure, is the driving force behind your actions. Your and your people’s
delegation improves because you don’t fear mistakes or cause fear in
your people. More things get accomplished. You get a motivated, ener-
gized workplace instead of one drained by timidity and feelings of
inadequacy.
Feedback is not viewed as an attack on your character. Interdepart-
mental politics are minimized in your presence because you aren’t threat-
ened by people.
Communication improves because you don’t feel compelled to show
how smart you are, preferring to listen and hear how smart others are.
When you represent your team and company, you both fit in with
what’s expected from a leader and stand out from the populace.

In a public company, if the Street doesn’t believe you’re confident,
your stock gets dinged that day.

Important note: The confidence that I write about is not that of the
Washington lobbyist who wrote in his advice book: “Confidence white
shirt tan face.”