Brief Summary
Emily Waldon shares her journey from being a shy college student to becoming the first female general manager of a Triple-A baseball team in nearly 20 years. She emphasizes that confidence is a skill that can be developed through specific behaviors. Waldon outlines six actionable behaviors to increase confidence: counting yourself in, using 20 seconds of courage, taking a seat at the table, celebrating others' successes, leveraging past achievements, and celebrating constantly.
- Confidence is a skill that can be developed through behavior modification.
- Six actionable behaviors can increase confidence.
- Celebrating successes reinforces positive behaviors and builds future confidence.
Introduction: From Shyness to Confidence
Emily Waldon recounts her early struggles with shyness, such as being unable to order a pizza and experiencing severe homesickness in college. She observed confident students around her and realized that her behaviors did not align with her aspirations. Waldon understood that changing her behaviors was the key to achieving her goals. She aimed for a successful career as a sports executive and recognized the need to act more confidently to achieve this.
The Power of Behavior Modification
Research indicates that changing behaviors, rather than attitudes, is more effective for personal transformation. By behaving differently, individuals can begin to see themselves differently and, consequently, act differently. Waldon emphasizes the importance of identifying who you want to become and how that person behaves. This approach led her to become the first female general manager of a Triple-A baseball team in nearly 20 years and host the "Leadership is Female" podcast.
Six Behaviors to Increase Confidence
Waldon introduces six specific behaviors that can help increase confidence. She poses the question of what one could achieve with tenfold confidence, setting the stage for practical advice. These behaviors are designed to be actionable and immediately implementable.
Count Yourself In
The first behavior involves mentally counting down to initiate action, which helps overcome initial hesitation. Waldon shares an anecdote about a sideline reporter who used this technique to manage her nerves during a live broadcast. She also recounts her experience confronting an opposing manager about his team wearing the wrong uniforms, using the "three, two, one, go" method to approach the uncomfortable situation.
Give Yourself 20 Seconds of Courage
Waldon advises embracing brief moments of courage to overcome fear and self-doubt. She shares her experience of publishing her podcast, "Leadership is Female," and the anxiety she felt before hitting the "Upload" button. By giving herself just 20 seconds of courage, she was able to overcome her hesitation and launch the podcast, which ultimately became a success.
Take a Seat at the Table
This behavior encourages individuals to actively participate and assert themselves in professional settings. Waldon recounts a story about a woman in baseball representation who noticed women waiting on the sidelines instead of taking a seat at the table. To become more confident, she started taking a seat, speaking her mind, and actively participating in deals.
Cheer for Other People’s Success
Waldon encourages celebrating the achievements of others rather than feeling envious or threatened. She references Amy Poehler's quote, "Good for her, not for me," to shift the mindset from negativity to support. Waldon shares an example of a woman who was promoted after publicly congratulating a newly named female league president, illustrating how supporting others can lead to personal success.
Bolster Confidence with Past Achievements
This behavior involves leveraging past successes to build confidence for new challenges. Waldon advises reflecting on one's strengths, accomplishments, and areas of improvement. She shares a story of a woman who reviewed her job description and accolades before pitching for a promotion, which ultimately led to her success.
Celebrate Constantly
Waldon stresses the importance of celebrating achievements to reinforce positive behaviors and create lasting memories of success. She suggests finding meaningful ways to celebrate, such as creating a highlight reel, taking the team out for drinks, or treating oneself to a massage. Celebrating accomplishments helps rewire the brain to link success with positive reinforcement.
Conclusion: Embracing Confidence
Waldon reflects on her personal transformation from a shy girl to a confident leader. She attributes her success to the decision to become a more confident person. Waldon encourages the audience to embrace these behaviors and strive for greater confidence, asking, "How many runs could you score if you were 10 times more confident?"
