Recently, a friend of mine who is a CMO at a mid-sized technology company asked me how he should demonstrate more self-confidence, and whether I could recommend a good book or a place to start.
I know what it’s like to have to demonstrate confidence under trying circumstances. For many years, I’ve been involved in a traditional, paper-based solution that has been under constant pressure. We survive and thrive in an increasingly digital world only by re-inventing ourselves. As the leader, I need to have the confidence to know I am making the right calls at the right time. There is no margin for error.
One book that has helped me is Start With Why (http://www.echostrategic.com/power-purpose/) by Simon Sinek. He talks about the power of knowing your “why,” as in, “Why do you do what you do?” Knowing your “why” gives you the confidence to handle the challenges thrown your way.
From personal experience, here are five tips that have helped me maintain my confidence:
Work your tail off. There is no substitute for hard work. Giving 110% effort is baseline for success;
Create a formal or informal board of directors, both inside and outside the industry, who will listen to your challenges and ideas, and offer objective feedback;
Talk to as many smart people as you can, to help you think through things. You don’t have to know everything;
Use quality data to help you make decisions;
Be enthusiastic. Enthusiasm and confidence are contagious.
From a marketing perspective, confidence is best demonstrated through the use of data. At Echo Strategic, when we work with clients to discover and uncover new data about their customers, donors, members, and students, what we are really doing is building their confidence. Interpreting the data informs their decision-making process, and as a result, helps them become more strategic and confident leaders.
If you would like to talk about having a dedicated partner help with your data, please get in touch.
-Jordan Grable, CEO, Echo Strategic