1. Dr. Dimitra Iordanoglou
Department of Communication, Media and Culture
Panteion University, Athens Greece

2. Self-confidence

3. What is it?
…is the belief in one’s own capability to accomplish a task and select an effective approach to solve a problem.
It includes confidence in one’s ability as expressed in increasingly challenging circumstances and confidence in one’s decisions or opinions

4. Self confidence in action
People with high SC
Trust their opinion even in the face of opposition
Are decisive
Take risks and try new things
Have a presence
People with low SC
Avoid confrontation with people
Do not trust their judgment
Hesitate to try new things
Avoid challenges
Unable to stand up for their rights

5. Self esteem, Self efficacy, Locus of control
Self esteem: represents a global self evaluation. It is the extend to which people like, respect and are satisfied with themselves
Self efficacy: A person’s belief that she/he has the ability, motivation, correct self perception to complete a task successfully. People with high self efficacy have a can - do attitude.
Locus of Control: a person’s general belief about the amount of control (s)he has over personal life events. Individuals who think that events in their life are due to fate or luck have an external locus of control whereas those who feel that can influence their destiny have an internal locus of control. Internal locus of control has been associated with better performance and leadership positions.

6. The role of heredity
With building self confidence, there are two types of influence that are impressed upon us in life. There is social heredity and physical heredity.
Physical heredity is a collection of traits, physical appearances and habits passed down from parents and grandparents that have a likely outcome of designed behaviors in an individual.
Social heredity comes from all sources and places through which a person obtains knowledge, such as school, church, reading, video, story telling and word of mouth conversation.
Physical heredity is able to be controlled more so as it relates to this subject, however control of thoughts and action is more likely dependent on the effects of social heredity.

7. Self confidence, arrogance and fear
There is a actually a distinct difference between self confidence and arrogance.
Arrogance is almost always a destructive behavior, while a nice dose of self confidence can take a man or woman to heights almost unimaginable.
If you are going to develop self confidence you must start with eliminating fear.
Fear  antagonizes the human soul. It speaks to man telling him, “You can’t do it -you are not strong enough to make the attempt – you should worry of what others may think – you will fail.”
For those people who can master and eliminate fear, they will begin immediately developing self confidence.
As you continue to push your yourself and face your fear, the confidence within you will grow

8. 4A: Assess your Core Self - Evaluations
OBJECTIVE: To help participants assess the levels of their core self-evaluation and set goals for improvement
ESTIMATED TIME: min.
DESCRIPTION: Give participants a copy of the Core Self-Evaluations Scale and ask them to complete it.  

9. 4B: Case study: Steve Jobs. An unconventional leader
OBJECTIVE: To help participants elaborate on leadership theories and exchange views and ideas about ways to apply leadership skills on their work
ESTIMATED TIME: 45 min
DESCRIPTION: Read the case study and discuss the following questions as a group:
 Was Steve Jobs a self - confident leader?
 Which of his behaviors demonstrate this skill?
 Write a short report analyzing his leadership style based on the theories you have learned so far

10. Steve Jobs motivational speech at Stanford
His life in 3 stories (15 min.)

11. 4C: Brand Yourself
OBJECTIVE: To help participants identify their strengths and learn to present themselves in an assertive and confident way.
ESTIMATED TIME: min.
MATERIALS: A4 sheets for each participant, various magazines, scissors and glues.
DESCRIPTION: Think of the following questions and then create a collage which describes your abilities as a person and as a (future) professional. Add a tag line to your personal brand. You can use pictures from the magazines, drawings or any object that can best describe your personality
Imagine this activity as part of an innovative personnel selection process where you apply for a leadership position) .
 Identify the primary "product" you have to offer to others (service, resource, special ability, etc.)
 Identify your core values. What really matters to you?
 Identify your passions. What things or ideas do you love?
 Identify your talents. What have you always been recognized for?
 What do you do better than most other people? What skills do people seem to notice in you?
(An example of a professional coach’s tag line: “A visionary realist to help you discover and manifest your dreams”)

12. Developmental activities
On the job
Find a model of self confidence
Get a mentor to help you demonstrate this skill in various situations and give you honest feedback
Further reading
Film watching