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Confidence: our resilience in an uncertain world
- Alison Lawrence
- May 13
- 5 min read
Confidence is that feeling that either pushes us forward or holds us back. We all have it and sometimes we notice it, sometimes we don’t.
One of my early self-awareness reads some 35 years ago gave me the mantra “Feel the fear and do it anyway”. To be honest I don’t recall all the detail of Susan Jeffers’ book and I wonder if that matters (for me)? The phrase alone has served me well in the intervening years, giving me the umph to take a deep breath, cast aside feelings of doubt and do the thing I wanted to do.
Has each choice been an amazing success? Probably not.
Have I learned from it? Definitely yes.
Do I regret any steps out of my comfort zone? No. (But I do regret the times I stayed in my comfort zone.)
What interests me is realising confidence isn’t about being fearless or just going for it regardless of the consequences. Rather, it is knowing or being aware of the fear and having the courage to move forward despite it, or even because of it. Our self-belief that leads to tangible outcomes - not the absence of fear, but the willingness to act.
Confidence is the courage to apply for a new job, speak up in meetings, take on leadership roles, and navigate challenges in our professional and personal lives. Our confidence is key to our growth and success, however we define it.
Reflecting on my own experiences, it is easy to see how confidence can be a self-fulfilling prophecy: when I believe in myself, I am more likely to succeed or deal with uncertainty simply because I have had the courage to take action.
The Anatomy of Confidence
Contrary to popular belief, confidence isn't a constant state. It ebbs and flows, shaped by our experiences, setbacks, and the changing nature of our world. Uncertainty, criticism, and failure can shake our self-confidence, as Jeffers and others suggest, these moments are opportunities for growth rather than defeat.
Our level of confidence is not a single point in time, it can be strengthened and regained as we learn more and our experience grows.
The ability to regain balance when confidence takes a hit can be the difference between standing still and moving forward.
Our confidence is built on three fundamental pillars:
Knowledge: Understanding what we can do and what we have already accomplished.
Curiosity: The drive to ask questions, learn, and continuously improve.
Courage: The ability to take the first step, and then another, even when feeling uncertain or fearful.
When Confidence Wavers
We have all experienced those moments of self-doubt. The internal dialogue can be brutal:
"I'm not clever enough"
"I'll probably fail"
"Everyone will laugh at me (and point!)"
If left unchallenged, these thoughts can become paralysing. We retreat into our comfort zones, avoid risks and miss opportunities. But here is where "Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway" offers a transformative perspective – fear is not a stop sign, but a green light inviting us to grow.
Strategies for Rebuilding Confidence
Your confidence is a precious commodity that needs to be nurtured and looked after – feed it with insight and knowledge that you can draw on when you need it most.
1. Know Your Strengths
Start by making a private inventory of your strengths. What can you do? What do you enjoy? What achievements make you proud? Many of us default to self-deprecation, but recognising and giving yourself credit for your capabilities is crucial. This is not about showing off – it is an honest self-assessment.
2. Identify Triggers
Knowing what our triggers are enables us to be better prepared. Take a moment to reflect on situations that diminish your confidence – make a note of your trip hazards. Public speaking? Mathematical challenges? The unknown? Understanding these triggers allows you to develop your strategies for overcoming them.
And make a note those experiences that left you feeling confident – knowing what makes you feel good is important too.
3. Develop your confidence Toolkit
Create a personalised set of strategies that work for you. This might include:
Challenge your inner critic: ignore it or tell it go away, roll your eyes and laugh at it. Turn it around and use it as your inner champion or strength – ask yourself, what if the opposite is true? What if I don’t do [this thing]? What will I miss out on?
Imagine if: roll the clock forward and imagine or write down the outcome having taken the step forward. Put it in the present tense - as though you have already done it. For example, “Yesterday I gave my first public talk to an audience of 100, who applauded at the end and thanked me for an insightful lecture.” Keep that image and feeling in your mind and give yourself a destination.
Do some homework: consider what you might need to take the next step. Do you need to familiarise yourself with a topic or practice an approach? Do you need to involve others?
Seeking supportive feedback: the more we learn, the more we grow in confidence. Learning requires us to be brave and ask for feedback. What can we do to make the next time better? Be proactive and ask those you trust to give you honest, high support / high challenge feedback.
Be a little braver: take a step out of your comfort zone. Careers and life are a marathon, not a sprint - take one step at a time, bank your achievements and build your confidence.
Your Confidence Journey
Like any skill, confidence can be developed and strengthened over time. It is not about being perfect or never failing—it is about knowing you CAN handle whatever comes next. Each small step builds resilience, each challenge overcome strengthens your self-belief.
In today's dynamic workplace, confidence influences our individual decisions and behaviours, shapes our professional relationships, is the bedrock of our leadership, and instils a culture of trust. It is about showing up authentically, communicating effectively, and maintaining resilience through challenges.
Remember, your confidence is your inner strength. It is not about never being fearful or leaving your comfort zone – it is about trusting yourself and having the courage to take the next step.
You’ve got this!
Ps. I went back to Susan Jeffers’ book….here is her framework for ‘doing it anyway’:
Recognise the fear - Acknowledge it without judgment
Reframe the narrative - From "I can't" to "I'm learning"
Take action - Even a small step counts
Reflect and learn - Every experience provides growth
Meet the author:
Alison Lawrence - Executive coach and public affairs leader. Championing patient voice, equity and resilient leadership.
With over 30 years of senior leadership experience across the life sciences, pharmaceutical, and charity sectors, Alison is a seasoned executive known for integrity, empathy, and results-driven leadership. A natural communicator and perceptive listener, she brings clarity and confidence to individuals and teams alike, fostering growth and high performance.
As an accredited executive coach and mentor, Alison works with leaders at all stages of their journey—helping them rediscover their strengths, define their goals, and achieve meaningful change. Passionate about equity in healthcare, she also has a distinguished track record in public affairs, advocating for patient access and voice through evidence-based policy change.
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