The Pyramid of Confidence
The Pyramid of Confidence is designed to boost the inner confidence of the manager by looking at the qualities that have already brought them success. The aim is for them to develop a deeper (inner) confidence that will transmit to others in their business dealings ensuring they create a more powerful and assured performance in front of their colleagues, Team Leaders and others with whom they have contact.
Challenged with the question – what attributes and past successes led to you becoming a Team Leader? most Team Leaders struggle to provide a coherent response, at least not without being given a good deal of time to think about it. This exercise compels them to build a self-image that is mentally convenient and easy to recall. On completion of the ‘Pyramid’, answering this question should be much easier.
Procedure
Start by showing the manager the Pyramid of Confidence model and priming them with the first question, initially they may be hesitant or even nervous but use open questions to help draw out their answers. If they are new to their role, ask them to think of three business goals or targets they achieved in a previous job. If they struggle, reassure them and ask them to think about personal successes instead, returning to work situations if possible once they have found their feet.
First question: “Consider 3 times you have felt really successful or proud of your achievements?”
Ask them to succinctly write these successes on the left-hand side of the Pyramid in the space provided. If they struggle to do this just start with one!
Next ask them: “For your most recent success, what skills, knowledge and beliefs were involved?”
At this point they may well start to go into great detail about the background, history and contribution of others. However, it is important that you quickly bring them back by identifying the skills and knowledge they used. You may still find that they are not providing the right information. If so ask them to think about one word that describes the particular skill or knowledge to which they are referring e.g. communication.
Do the same with the next two successes. On average you will probably get twenty to thirty skills, knowledge and beliefs noted on the Pyramid. Once you, and they, are satisfied the list is complete sit back for a moment and read through it with them to bolster their confidence.
By reviewing the Pyramid weekly, or even daily, they will become truly aware of the qualities that have made them a success. It will internalise this way of looking at themselves and it will become a habit that will stand them in good stead going forward.
Example screenshot of the Pyramid of Confidence tool on the Platform:
