3 Tips on How to Build Confidence in Your Career

I am pleased to feature this guest blog written by Chantelle Torres of VEED.IO  Please see additional commentary and information from me at the bottom of the blog.

Introduction.  Confidence is critical when it comes to building a successful career. However, building confidence is easier said than done. Many people struggle with self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and fear of failure. If you want to make your career confident, here are three tips to help you get started.

Improve Speaking Skills.  Speaking skills are critical to building confidence in your career. Recording your voice is a great way to improve your speaking skills and build confidence in your communication abilities. Start by reading aloud from a book or article, then listen to the recording. Pay attention to your tone, pacing, and clarity. Identify areas where you can improve, such as speaking too quickly or mumbling. Keep practicing using a voice recorder until you feel comfortable talking with confidence.

It is important to work on overcoming fear of speaking in front of others.

Another valuable tool for building confidence in your career is using a screen recorder. Record your screen to review your performance later if you present or demonstrate a process. It will help you identify areas where you can improve your delivery and allow you to see what your audience sees. You can also use it to create tutorials, a great way to showcase your skills and build confidence in your expertise.

Create and Edit a Video.  Creating and editing a video is a great way to build confidence in your technical skills. You need not be a professional videographer to make a great video. Start by recording a short clip on your phone or camera, and then use a video editor to polish the footage. It will help you develop new skills and give you the confidence to tackle new challenges in your career.

It’s useful to seek feedback from others after speaking.

Seek Feedback.  Finally, seek feedback from trusted colleagues and mentors. Ask for constructive criticism on your work, and use that feedback to improve your skills and build confidence in your abilities. Do not be afraid to ask for help or advice; it can be valuable for building confidence and advancing your career.

Conclusion.  Building confidence in your career takes time and effort, but it is worth it. By practicing speaking skills, recording your voice and screen, creating, and editing videos, and seeking feedback, you can develop the skills and confidence you need to succeed in your career. Remember to take small steps, be patient, and celebrate your successes. You can achieve your goals and build a successful career with the right mindset and tools.

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Additional thoughts from Stan.  Hopefully, all hiring organizations and hiring managers need to realize that for many jobs, verbal communications skills are not required.  To create an equitable hiring environment, organizations need to value the benefits of neurodiversity (see last week’s blog “Neurodiversity is an asset in the Workplace,”) and not disqualify candidates who have disabilities like a stutter or deafness.

In addition to offering my innovative Total Engagement Career Mapping offering, my areas of expertise include overall DEI strategy and planning, ERG (Employee Resource Group) launch and effectiveness, DEI Council formation and planning, Personal and Organizational Unconscious Bias, Inclusive Recruiting and LGTBQ+ diversity including use of pronouns.

 

 

Neurodiversity is an asset in the Workplace

A guest blog courtesy of Logan Wong (MSW, RSW) of one of my business partners Prompta, who I team with to offer best-in-class DEI focused employee engagement surveys.

What is neurodiversity?  Neurodiversity is the idea that all brains are diverse in how they work – no two brains or nervous systems are the same. This concept or term originated from Autistic communities, who have also welcomed folks with other neurodivergent brains into a strength-based mindset that neurodiversity is an asset in the workplace and everyday life.

How is neurodiversity an asset?  Diversity, equity, and inclusion is not just about people of colour, race, gender, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and ability, it includes neurodiversity. Taking into account that roughly 10%–20% of the global population is considered neurodivergent, what deters employers from believing that neurodiversity is an asset in the workplace? The behaviours of many neurodiverse people run counter to common notions of what makes a good employee—solid communication skills, being a team player, emotional intelligence, persuasiveness, the ability to network, and the ability to conform to standard social practices deterring most employers from hiring neurodivergent people. When in reality neurodiverse people offer different perspectives and skills including better processing of information, productivity, work quality, and attention to detail.

Considerations for an accessible workplace for all. Individuals who are neurodivergent, including those on the autism spectrum, are often stigmatized or considered underqualified based on how they identify. These biases contribute to non-inclusive workplace cultures and create psychological and physical barriers, leading to high turnover.

Given that 86% of neurodiverse adults in Canada are unemployed, it’s vital for employers to understand the ways they can embrace neurodiversity by adopting a strength-based mindset to the different ways people work and communicate. (Note from Stan: In the USA, unemployment for neurodivergent adults runs at least as high as 30-40% which is three times the rate for people with disability, and eight times the rate for people without disabilities…reference: https://mydisabilityjobs.com/statistics/neurodiversity-in-the-workplace/ )

Unfortunately, due to inaccessible workplace environments and implicit hiring biases, many of these valuable persons will never bring their skills and passion to your team. These suggested strategies, (in the chart above), can help organizations not only capture the full potential of neurodivergent professionals but also better leverage the value of the overall workforce and create a better workplace for all.

Supporting the creation, implementation, and sustainability of diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace cultures where employees feel open and comfortable is key to maintaining a happy and successful workforce and will keep positive workplace culture alive long term. There will never be a one-size-fits-all approach to accommodate neurodiversity. Everyone has different needs, strengths, and talents that should be celebrated.

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I, Stan Kimer, is appreciative of Logan Wong of Prompta providing this blog in an area I am not an expert in.  My areas of expertise include overall DEI strategy and planning, ERG (Employee Resource Group) launch and effectiveness, DEI Council formation and planning, Personal and Organizational Unconscious Bias, Inclusive Recruiting and LGTBQ+ diversity including use of pronouns.

References
https://www.autismontario.com/programs-services/autism-career-connections/employers

https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbeshumanresourcescouncil/2022/02/15/neurodiversity-and-the-workplace/?sh=464266f42a22

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/86-of-adults-with-autism-are-unemployed-this-job-fair-aims-to-change-that-1.5089780

https://www.theceowithin.me/adhd/neurodiversity-a-workplace-asset-how-expert-diversity-inclusion-consultants-can-help/

https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/topics/talent/neurodiversity-in-the-workplace.html

https://icandreamcenter.com/uncommon-viewing-neurodiversity-as-an-asset-at-work/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=uncommon-viewing-neurodiversity-as-an-asset-at-work