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Senior Correspondent

You may wish seas were smooth but leaders live in turbulence. The world is filled with “make believe leaders” who want the helm without the responsibility. They want you to set the course, trim the sails, solve the problems, give them the helm, and applaud.

When things are tough everything matters more.

Let’s be real. You’re currently in challenging seas, coming out of deep waters, or heading into turbulence. Welcome to the world of leadership. The easy course is drifting but leadership that matters rises to face challenging seas with confidence.

Three leadership tones:

The three leadership tones are confidence, doubt, or defeat.

Any tone less then confidence is foolish.

Doubtful leaders question their own and their team’s ability to rise up. I’ll never forget the director who told his team, “I’m worried we won’t reach our target.” He didn’t strategize, he just worried. You could see the wind leave their sails.

Doubtful leaders may not overtly doubt, but the fear in their tone says it all. They rely on fear, pressure, and uncertainty to motivate.

The tone of leadership is confidence
or it is nothing at all.

The only difference between doubtful and defeated leaders is the time it takes for ships to sink. Doubt prolongs death – defeat hastens it.

Real confidence:

Confidence isn’t blindness, pretending, or lying to ourselves and others. Real confidence firmly faces turbulent seas with belief. Find a team and set a course you believe in or head for port now.

Confidence includes uncertainties. Life is filled with unexpected storms. The only thing you control is your passion for the vision and your ability to adapt.

If confidence requires guaranteed outcomes
no one can have confidence.

Tips:

  1. Intentionally choose your tone.
  2. Face reality. Positivism without facing reality is foolishness.
  3. Express realistic confidence in your team.

How can leaders express confidence effectively?

How can leaders find and create points of confidence for individuals and organizations?

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