Building Confidence in Yourself and Others: The Key to Leadership Success

One of the most important lessons I have learned throughout my career, both personally and professionally, is the undeniable power of confidence. Confidence is not something we are all born with, but it is something we can develop, and it plays a critical role in every aspect of our lives. As a leader, I have seen firsthand how building confidence in yourself and others can unlock potential, foster innovation, and ultimately lead to success.

When I began my journey in the United Kingdom, I was anything but confident. Arriving in a new country, not knowing the language or the customs, I felt out of place. I couldn’t even speak English, let alone imagine myself leading an institution one day. But it was in those moments of discomfort and uncertainty that I realised confidence doesn’t come from waiting to feel “ready”—it comes from taking action, no matter how small, and building momentum from there.

In my early days, I learned English by watching children’s television programmes with my children. I started with the simplest of tools, but it worked. Through each small step I took, I began to build my confidence. I realised that confidence is not about knowing everything; it’s about trusting yourself to learn, adapt, and overcome challenges as they arise.

As I progressed in my career, from a part-time lecturer to Principal and CEO of West Nottinghamshire College, I carried that lesson with me. Every new position came with its own set of challenges, and I quickly learned that if I didn’t believe in myself, no one else would. Leadership is not about having all the answers—it’s about having the confidence to step into the unknown, make decisions, and trust your instincts.

Building confidence in myself was just one part of the equation. As I stepped into leadership roles, I realised that one of the most powerful things a leader can do is build confidence in others. Whether it was my staff, students, or colleagues, I made it a point to empower them by giving them the tools, trust, and encouragement they needed to take ownership of their work. I often say that true leadership is not about control, but about creating an environment where others feel confident enough to lead alongside you.

At West Nottinghamshire College, I always encouraged a culture where everyone felt they had a voice and a stake in the success of the institution. When people feel empowered and believe in their own abilities, amazing things happen. Our college grew from 14,000 to 30,000 students, and from 180 apprentices to 14,000 apprentices under my leadership—not because of me alone, but because I had a team of confident, capable individuals who believed in what we could achieve together.

Building confidence in others is not always easy. Many people carry doubts, fears, and insecurities, just as I did when I first arrived in the UK. But as leaders, we have a responsibility to recognise the potential in those around us and nurture it. This often means giving people opportunities they may not feel ready for and encouraging them to step out of their comfort zones. It means offering guidance and support, but also allowing them to take risks and learn from their mistakes.

Confidence, in my view, is not the absence of fear or doubt—it’s the ability to move forward despite them. That’s what I’ve always strived to instil in others. Whether it’s a student taking on a challenging course, a staff member stepping into a new leadership role, or a colleague navigating uncertainty, I’ve found that the most effective way to build confidence is to show people that you trust them. When people know you believe in them, they begin to believe in themselves.

One of the most rewarding parts of my journey has been watching those I’ve mentored and led grow into confident leaders themselves. Some of them started out unsure of their abilities, but with the right encouragement and support, they flourished. As a leader, there is no greater satisfaction than seeing others reach their potential and go on to achieve things they once thought impossible.

In the end, leadership is not just about guiding others—it’s about helping them realise their own capacity to lead. Confidence is the foundation of that realisation. Whether you’re leading a team, mentoring someone, or working on your own personal development, remember this: confidence is built through action, through believing in yourself, and by creating an environment where others can believe in themselves too.

If you are passionate about building confidence in your teams, organisations, or communities, I would be honoured to share my experiences at your next event. As someone who has built confidence in myself and others throughout my career, I believe that empowering people with confidence is one of the most critical aspects of leadership. Please feel free to reach out if you would like me to speak at your event and share insights on how confidence can unlock potential and lead to success.