There is a significant difference between confidence and pride, especially in the impact that our actions have on others as we interact with them. Effective leadership requires confidence … Pride in leadership, becomes a tyranny (1).

When we are facing a challenge, confidence is the certainty we experience in knowing that we can and will succeed; it is built in previous experience on similar situations that we have handled to successful results. Pride is the “certainty” that whatever we do is a success, based on the wrong belief that whatever we do is right – which is obviously not true; pride blinds us from our imperfections and limitations.

Have you ever experienced the difference between teaming up with someone who has confidence versus with someone who has pride? … I have!

The individuals with confidence, helped me gain confidence, inspired me to perform to a higher standard, enabled me to see matters with an expanded horizon; they gave and asked for input. They usually placed their talents at the service of others. The individuals with pride, rarely asked for input and shared little about what they already knew, they failed to develop their talents and did not contribute to the growth of the team.

At WDignity, through transformational growth, we shape confidence in ourselves and develop skills to build on previous successes so we expand our ability to manage – with a wiser approach – the challenges to come. We assess what is beautiful, good and true in our lives and accordingly, we are able to identify what we already have in us to face the challenge at hand and what we might need to explore to grow so our ability to reach success is stretched at its best. Confidence is good for us and for others, pride is bad for us and destroys our relationships with others.

As we continue navigating in life in search for balance, we must constantly ask ourselves: Do I believe in my worth and abilities? Is this belief based on accurate assessment of myself or on an inflated assessment of myself? (Confidence or Pride) …

Lack of Confidence is as bad as Pride: Is this belief based on a diminished assessment of myself? – Which is not good for me nor for those around me as it detracts me from truly visualizing what I am capable of and limits my ability to share my talents with others.

Confidence or Pride? … Choose Confidence!

(1) The one-minute philosopher by Montague Brown, Ph.D.