#InspireMonday: Confidence

Happy Monday!

First, a big thank you to everyone that has reached out to me to offer kind words about #InspireMonday. I am delighted you have found the series inspiring. By His grace, greater things ahead.

A few years ago, I was searching for a new school for my kids. In my opinion, the major desired outcome of primary education is that kids can read, write, and pass entrance examinations to any decent secondary school they choose (and their parents can afford). Any good primary school irrespective of the curriculum and methodology of teaching should ultimately achieve that with their pupils. I  visited dozens of school and was torn between the various additional values I discerned each possible option represented for me and my kids in addition to the given major desirable outcomes. I was trying very hard to find the “killer” quality that will make me choose one from the many. One “tiny” incident tipped me over to make my final choice. I was visiting my ultimate choice a second time and the proprietress was doing her best to tell me what made her school different. In the midst of this interaction, the school closed for the day. About 5 of the nursery school kids came into the reception area where we were and I was struck by how confident they were! Boldly they greeted me, looked at the proprietress and greeted her without cowering in her presence. And they started interacting amongst themselves with such an air even though adults and strangers were present. That settled it for me more than anything the proprietress could have said to me. Today, I am the chairman of the PTA of that school. The confidence of those kids won me over!

Confidence is a vital ingredient for good success in life. Sadly though, far too many people grow up in settings that harm their confidence and live their lives never quite getting it back. They are never told what is good about  them. Their mistakes are readily amplified. They are told never to speak when adults are talking. They are told never to look at an authority figure in the “eye”. Many are told they are no good (and they come to believe it). They are told they are weak (and they come to accept it). Some who may seem to exude some measure of self-believe outwardly are deluged internally by storms of doubt and confusion about their place in life.

I will be the first person to admit, confidence didn’t come naturally to me. I was as unsure of myself as they come. But I came to discover: I am God’s creation! His hand is on me. He has called me by my name: I am His! My confidence is not in what I have – I have delivered trainings to professors while I was as broke as I could be.  It is not in the car I drive – I have been blessed to have a serving minister of this nation in a training I delivered while I drove a rickety-pray-before-driving-cannot-travel car. It is not even in my qualifications – though I am grateful for those I have and will pursue others. My confidence is in HE who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all I can ever ask or think! While I may sometimes fail, He will never.

No one can make you feel inferior without your permission. Put on confidence within and without. Confidence is the foundation of charisma. Charisma is the glue of leadership. Lead where you are.

Enjoy your week.

Follow me on Twitter: @dradebayo