When working in a large organization for long enough, you will experience lots of trial and error. Mistakes will happen more often than not, but if you approach these mistakes the right way, a strong confidence can develop.

Here are ways you can positively react to criticism, gain knowledge and build your confidence in the workplace:

Turn Criticism into Change 

No one is perfect and no one expects you to be either. However, there are expectations that do need to be met. In any task that you do, you are usually given some sort of feedback (we hope), and while most intrinsically motivated individuals strive to receive constant positive feedback, it just isn’t realistic. Accepting criticism is not an easy task – it is an experience that leaves you extremely vulnerable. But this is your moment to shine. Shut out the emotions and take this as an experience to learn; an experience to learn more about your managers work style, an experience to learn more about the task at hand or an experience to learn more about yourself.

Set a Firm Deadline

It is always a learning curve when you work with individuals of different backgrounds, but you need to set your boundaries and be realistic with who you are working with. Make sure you set a firm deadline on when you will have a task completed AND complete the task by the deadline you set. Setting a deadline holds you accountable. If you miss the deadline that you set, you will lose credibility and confidence.

Step Outside of your Comfort Zone

Let’s be real, sparking up a conversation with someone higher-up within the organization is not a task that can be done without applying a few coats of deodorant first (anyone else get the nervous sweats?). Anyway, it can be something that can be good for building your confidence personally and professionally. Putting yourself out there by introducing yourself to someone you may not deal with on a day to day basis shows great character. Once you get the first introduction out of the way, the more confident you’ll be chiming into business meetings and the less coats of deodorant you’ll need.

Never Stop Learning

As the old saying goes, ‘Remember that the moment you think you’re a master, you lose your mastery. And the minute you think you now everything, you know nothing.” Be open minded about the things that are around you and try to take some interest in learning about things you know nothing about. Knowledge is power. Power is confidence.

Share Your Knowledge With Others

There is nothing more gratifying than teaching others how to do something, that they had no idea how to do before meeting you. Being able to articulate something that you know and share it with others, it something that will immediately build your confidence. Now, this doesn’t mean that you should constantly give unsolicited advice because let’s face it, no one likes a know-it-all.

You Become The Company You Keep

Surround yourself with like-minded individuals. Having a positive attitude or a negative attitude is proven to be contagious. You want to surround yourself with people who will build you up, not break you down. If you hang around people who criticize too much, that will kill your confidence.

SMILE! It Will Make You Happy

Being able to smile (even if it is forced) will ultimately help in increasing your happiness and confidence. Not everyone wakes up and is immediately happy about everything going on in their life, so there are days when you need to force a smile – but force it you will. People with confidence smile more. This is where your positive attitude can be contagious in others around you.

“Low self-confidence isn’t a life sentence. Self-confidence can be learned, practiced, and mastered–just like any other skill. Once you master it, everything in your life will change for the better.” Barrie Davenport

Elizabeth Miller

Elizabeth (Lizzy) is the Community Engagement Manager at Russell Tobin. She specializes in social media, branding and connecting with cool people. Connect with her on LinkedIn and spark up a conversation!