How Can You Use Self-Doubt Positively As A Manager?

We all have felt self-doubt at some critical moments in our lives. Yet, overcoming and bending it down to suit our ways has always been the rule. In a managerial role, we are in a position where others look up to us. In such a situation, our emotions hold the capacity to create an impact beyond our personal space. Consequently, even our doubt becomes a matter of concern for the entire team. This blog will help you understand why self-doubt in a manager matters and how it can be made useful.

Firstly, let’s begin by understanding the crucial role of managers in an organization. A manager is the one who dons multiple hats. Sometimes acting as a leader and other times as a confidante. A manager is the source of guidance, inspiration, and motivation for the team. Therefore, managers’ confidence in themselves remains essential. Their moments of weakness hold the capacity to impact a significant number of individuals as well as operations, thereby the organization as a whole.

What is self-doubt?

Self-doubt, in the simplest terms, stands for raising a question about one’s abilities. Various reasons can prompt it. In the end, self-doubt makes you less confident, increasing your anxiety and nervousness. When a manager doubts themselves, their team ends up becoming weak. This happens because their source of faith itself is shaky. Such a scenario is detrimental to the success of any organization.

The term “self-doubt” generally carries a negative connotation. Popular culture presents it as a devastating moment of loss of motivation and all hope. Therefore, it would be surprising to see how this self-doubt works as a positive catalyst when utilized appropriately. 

How can a manager use self-doubt to grow?

Yet, a good manager is a person known for turning losses into massive victories. Similarly, a great manager will use self-doubt to bring positive changes and improvements. They can turn the trouble of self-doubt into a learning opportunity in many ways.

Self-awareness

Self-doubt can help you understand your situation in immense detail. A pragmatic overview of reality would be fundamental to a good assessment, which can form the basis of upcoming improvements. With that, you can plan your next steps properly. Being self-aware will help you remain sensitive to the strengths and shortcomings of other people as well.

Scope for improvement 

Self-doubt forces you to evaluate and re-evaluate your methods and practices. Through this process, you can understand the faults that lie within it. These issues might have been negatively affecting productivity. A good understanding of shortcomings clarifies how much work you must do. You can then establish a clear pathway towards improvement as needed. 

Change in managerial style 

As a manager, you can doubt the efficiency of your managerial style and orientation. Self-doubt might prod you to question the methods you use with others. This can help you better understand and fine-tune your system to generate higher efficiency. The employees might better appreciate new management styles and greater involvement. 

A better understanding of others 

Healthier relationships across the hierarchy pave the way for higher productivity in the workplace. When you raise questions on your strengths and weaknesses, it will help you understand the position of others better as well. As a manager, you can adapt more effectively to the emotions felt by your employees due to the relatability in the situations and the feelings surrounding those. A manager who seems like one of their own to the employees would have them be at greater ease. 

Empathy 

Empathy becomes an essential quality to have when you have people working under you. Acceptance of the existence of self-doubt will make you empathetic towards others as well! A compassionate manager would be caring towards the concerns raised by the employers and the difficulties faced by them. Such a manager will garner similar empathy from their employees and cultivate good relationships with them.

Motivation 

A low point might be the propelling force to a considerable jump. When you face self-doubt and ponder upon your existence, moments can just be the catharsis that becomes your catalyst for an incredible new journey. Moreover, such times of self-doubt can be taken as apt opportunities for self-introspection, developing a better understanding of what you want to do and how you want to do that. Turning lows and highs is what effective management is all about, after all.

Savoring the taste of achievement 

Overcoming self-doubt and pessimism is a battle in itself. When the doubts have been quashed and the race has been won, nothing tastes better than victory. Giving your best and achieving your set targets after all of it brings an incredible feeling of joy. The memory of the initial questions being raised makes it even better when one realizes exactly how much they did to reach their present spot.

Conclusion

Whether in managerial positions or not, human beings are prone to emotional affectations. The human experience lies in overcoming them and celebrating this. As managers, you hold responsibilities that extend beyond yourself. This makes such affectations even more common and even more impactful. Understanding such feelings and using them to propel effectively to a better position displays all the grace your role acquaints you with.