8 signs low confidence is holding you back at work

Lacking confidence can be incredibly difficult, especially when it happens at work, a place where many of us spend a significant proportion of our lives.

Aside from you deserving to feel happy and confident, the other key reason you shouldn’t put up with feeling like you lack confidence is that it can hold you back from pursuing opportunities and achieving your career potential.

As a career confidence coach for women, I speak to women who are struggling every day. Some of them are finding it hard to show up in their current role due to self-doubt, whereas others are not going after the promotions they know deep down they deserve because of that little voice in their head talking them out of it.

Perhaps you can relate?

I believe all women deserve unstoppable success and satisfaction in their lives and careers, and that includes you!

While everyone lacks confidence occasionally, and certain situations can make us feel more or less confident, there are some telltale signs that your lack of confidence may be holding you back professionally. I’m going to share some of them with you today. Let’s get into it.

How do I know confidence is holding me back?

Here are some common signs that a lack of confidence may be holding you back professionally.

1. You have difficulty communicating effectively and are reluctant to share suggestions, voice opinions, advocate ideas, or promote yourself for fear of making a mistake and/or being judged.
2. You don’t pursue opportunities and stick with what’s within your comfort zone because you’re scared of failing, even though there are things you want to do.
3. You find it difficult to be your full authentic self at work and hide parts of yourself and/or hold back how you feel.
4. You struggle with negative self-talk and self-doubt that keep you stuck.
5. You find it difficult to set or maintain boundaries, you people-please, and worry about work when you’re not there.
6. You find yourself thinking your peers are smarter and more capable than you are and often feel inferior.
7. You dread or actively avoid elements of your role because you don't feel good enough to do them.
8. You question yourself a lot, struggle to make decisions independently, and tend to want to check with others.

If you recognised yourself in several of these signs, don't be discouraged. Awareness is the first step towards building confidence and making positive changes.

So how many of those resonated with you?

If that’s the case, and you are ready to get rid of the feeling you have when you realise that another year has passed and you've still not landed that promotion or pay rise, or the job you hate is still the job you hate, remember that confidence isn't necessarily fixed – it can develop and change over time.

By recognising the habits and thought patterns that hold you back, you can begin taking small, consistent steps towards a more confident and fulfilling career.