Practical answers to your confidence questions
How do you stay confident at work when your workload is unmanageable, your manager is draining your energy, or the people around you are quietly negative?
In this listener Q&A episode of Decoding Confidence, confidence and influence coach Advita Patel answers real questions about building confidence at work and handling the everyday situations that knock it.
From pushing back on an overwhelming workload without feeling like you are failing, to protecting your energy around a difficult boss, setting boundaries with negative colleagues and staying motivated through job search rejection, this episode is full of practical, doable advice for feeling surer of yourself at work.
In this episode
- How to push back on an overwhelming workload without feeling like you are not up to the job.
- Simple ways to manage and protect your energy when you are dealing with a difficult manager.
- Building the confidence to go after opportunities, rather than second-guessing yourself out of them.
- Handling sarcasm and negativity from colleagues, and setting boundaries that actually hold.
- Staying motivated through job search rejection, and using structured reflection to keep your confidence intact.
- Getting through to an unresponsive or dismissive boss, and improving the way you communicate upwards.
- Knowing when the respect just is not there, and how to plan your exit on your own terms.
Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction: decoding confidence at work
00:27 – How to push back on workload pressure
01:23 – Prioritising tasks and communicating with leadership
02:43 – Celebrating weekly wins to reinforce your self-worth
05:53 – Managing the energy drain caused by leadership behaviour
06:51 – Adjusting your communication style to protect your energy
12:32 – Overcoming self-doubt and advocating for yourself
14:54 – Reframing past achievements to build self-confidence
17:44 – How to let sarcasm and negativity slide off you at work
20:18 – Why a strong learning circle and support network matters
22:01 – Staying motivated through job rejection and hiring automation
27:01 – Handling unresponsive managers and planning your next move
Resources and links
- Decoding Confidence: The Seven Habits of Confident Leaders, book by Advita Patel
- Brené Brown, The Power of Vulnerability: https://brenebrown.com/
- DISC behavioural framework
- Vicky Marinka, career community for communications professionals
Connect with Advita Patel
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/advitapatel
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/advitap
- TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@CommsRebel
More support
For more on building confidence at work, head to https://decodingconfidence.com for blogs and insights, and follow Advita for regular, practical tips on backing yourself at work.
Tags: confidence at work, building confidence, difficult boss, setting boundaries at work, job search rejection, self-doubt, career confidence, communicating with your manager, workplace wellbeing, professional development