Think You’re Confident? Check Yourself on These 10 Behaviors

What defines confidence? Is it boasting the loudest or dominating every room? Despite outward displays, true confidence brews inward through flexible beliefs supporting optimal wellbeing and relationships. Highly confident individuals act from a place of inner security allowing authentic presence without ego interfering. By not engaging in certain behaviors, they earn trust and lead communities to new heights collaboratively.

This article highlights key differences between cocky posturing and genuine assurance to embody lifting up people around you as your natural self-expression.

1. Brag Excessively Seeking Validation

Truly confident folk recognize achievements come through consistency compounding over time. They needn’t point out every little daily win like seeking parental praise. Steady discipline speaks for itself.

Rather than tout, “I’m so good at this job, just look at my numbers this quarter!” they allow quality work to shine on its own. If others overlook progress, no matter – the value manifests through customer loyalty and referrals eventually.

Confidence means no longer requiring outer validation to feel inward security. We all have gifts deserving acknowledgment. But excessive boastful demands often push people away rather than magnetize community.

2. Bully Others Through Insults or Belittling

Belittling peers as inferior provides illusion of rising higher in contrast. But genuine worth shines brightest uplifting others to expand as their best selves too.

Trash talk, backstabbing criticism and gossip offer momentary relief for insecure egos. But over time, kindness and compassion win every time.

Through building each other up, we amplify collective potential. Tearing others down always backfires by eroding relationships and credibility built through care.

3. Fear Failure So Avoid Risks

Rather than catastrophic danger ending all hopes, falling short presents opportunity to tweak strategies before trying again. Having emotional resilience to sit in discomfort breeds boldness for future visions.

But attaching identity heavily to perfect outcomes also pressures sustaining unsustainable standards over time. Allowing missteps leads to disarming shame, reducing blame cycles so everyone contributes ideas safely.

Staying open to iterative learning inspires innovation too. Let go of requiring specific results so you clearly act on inspirations in the moment without hesitation.

4. Resist Change, Insisting On Their Way

Flexibility displays confidence through trusting your abilities to redirect forward as circumstances evolve. No need to panic or stubbornly manipulate situations just to reclaim control.

Calm presence adapts by noting new inputs, inquiring for clarity, considering alternate angles. Then integrate these variables into updated responses on the fly without requiring static permanence.

Leaders especially model non-reactivity in adversity, thinking critically rather than defending assumptions. Holding visions firmly yet plans loosely allows for bypassing ego resistance when better pathways appear.

5. Hide Insecurities Out Of Fear

Everyone experiences doubts sometimes. But acknowledging uncertainties, however uncomfortable, prevents projection blindspots warping perceptions of themselves or others.

Letting perceived weaknesses show paradoxically requires incredible strength. Admitting knowledge gaps without diminishing entire self-worth builds relatability too, endearing you to people.

Owning who you are liberates spending energy on vain pretending rather than achieving aspirations. Redefine self-confidence as loving all your quirks genuinely, not needing to hide behind forced facades.

6. Feel Threatened By Others’ Success

Recognize all journeys unfold on distinct timelines – comparing rarely motivates. Uplift each person’s passage while inspiring them to support your dreams too.

Abundance mindsets acknowledge millions of options exist for creating value through niche strengths. Mutually empowering colleagues multiplies potentials for cooperative gains.

Praise publicly wins loyalty while envious sabotaging attempts often trace back obviously. If you know your worth, no need to worry – keep pouring into your craft.

7. Dominate Conversations Needing to Be Right

Collaboration trumps trying to control outcomes. Seek first to understand alternative angles before contributing perspectives perhaps missing key insights if you insist talking.

By genuinely engaging others’ worldviews without judgment, they will organically want to include your wisdom too.

Emphasize understanding the why over stating the what – build alignment on motivations and deeper needs first. Creative solutions bubble up naturally when all stakeholders feel valued.

8. Criticize Harshly Without Issue Emotional Regulation

Knee jerk reactions often attack the person rather than addressing behaviors needing adjustment. But recalling shared priorities and vision defuses perceived threats.

Collect yourself before responding by taking deep breaths while assessing “is this thought true and helpful?” Explain impact calmly with the intent of mutual understanding.

Assume positive intent in miscues. Help move in shared direction without shame. Eye for an eye thinking almost always harms all eventually. Lead with compassion and patience.

9. Reject Compliments Out Of Discomfort

Graciously receive appreciation through heartfelt thank yous. Modestly shrugging off positive feedback denies receivers the joy of acknowledgment too.

Cultivating self-worth means accepting you deserve to be recognized for milestones achieved through much perseverance. Consider what accepting might teach others about self-love.

Then pay forward grateful praises in unlikely places – celebrate undervalued contributors. Uplift marginal voices. Using privilege to toast unseen positives creates ripples shifting culture.

10. Ignore Personal Needs For Others’ Validation

Helping people should never require self-sacrifice. Balance responsive availability with boundaries honoring health baselines to avoid depletion and resentment.

Rather than people pleasing trap of over functioning for some while under functioning for self, confident individuals respect all parties’ energy levels and limits evenly.

Model self-care not as selfishness but responsible sustainability that allows you to fully pour into passions longer term. Generosity flowing from abundance prospers freely.

Signs Of Genuine Confidence Worth Developing Too

Beyond the pitfalls, how can you build unshakable confidence not requiring external validation?

Key traits include:

• Speaking authentically without filter for approval
• Comfort admitting uncertainty or mistakes
• Flexibility adapting plans as situations evolve
• Celebrating mutual success without envy
• Owning quirks people come to love
• Receiving praise while deflecting some credit
• Prioritizing needs without guilt
• Addressing issues calmly without attacking people

Commit to growth in these areas by catching limiting thoughts. Rewrite stories honoring your interdependent belonging. Soon self-assurance shines as your natural state of being.

In Summary

True confidence looks beyond flashing skill to patiently nurture goodwill and potential in all. It serves by empowering people through lifting spirits, not demanding superiority.

At ease with itself, genuine confidence:

• Allows work to speak through dedication
• Uplifts others higher rather than cutting down
• Responds calmly when plans require pivoting
• Shows authenticity when admitting uncertainty
• Frees energy spent on pretense for truth
• Accepts appreciation and pays it forward
• Sustains necessity of self-care balance
• Leads with insight, compassion and understanding

Rather than flashy hubris covering up weakness, deep-rooted confidence serves, builds trust and spreads empowerment contagiously by walking the talk through patience and care.