Rosebeth Ross Kanter points out there
are three essentials to confidence–
accountability, collaboration and
initiative to seize the opportunity..
Let me tell you more about these
learned from R. Kanter’s book. She
describes these in terms of
corporations, yet they apply to
individuals and entrepreneurs.
Accountability describes the
combination of sharing data, information
and know-how, assuming responsibility,
and setting and holding high standards.
Collaboration with partners to achieve
shared goals
Initiative to take action and do what
is necessary to make a difference.
This book came to my attention as I
read her book “Supercorp” in which she
describes the emergence of a 21st century
class of companies, she calls vanguard
companies. These firms develop
humanistic values and motivate
employees to solve problems and help
societal needs as leading components
of their business plans.
Let’s return to Confidence. Kanter
frames the term as the situational
expectation of a positive outcome.
Because of this expectation,
- effort is applied,
- resources are directed and
- people stick to specific courses of
action in situations.
What sets this work from others is she
- specifies what things to notice to
turn things around (positive attitude
and behaviors),
- what things to do when things
are going well (prepare for worst case
scenarios),
- encourage leadership in every place
(opening up innovation, new ideas, and
’stretch’ goals)
Confidence can be taught and has
to be earned and is something leaders
need to be constantly assessing in
candidates and employees.