CMgr: Three ways to overcome self-doubt

Confidence issues can strike at any stage of your career. Three CMgrs offer advice on how to deal with it

Turn it into a learning experience

“In management, it’s normal to experience self-doubt or a crisis in confidence. It’s what you do with it that matters. I try to turn these moments into something positive. If there’s a particular issue or subject that causes these moments, I tend to use that energy to drill down into the subject. For example, you could try getting a little closer to the detail, researching more options or ways forward, or speaking to team members about the topic. By understanding the topic that’s causing self-doubt, confidence will increase and self-doubt will disappear.”

Mike Hetherington CMgr, project manager at IMI Truflo Marine

The ‘five bums on a seat’ approach

“When I’m faced with a difficult decision, I try to go back to the basics of ‘five bums on a seat’ – what’s the real issue, why is it an issue, who’s involved, where can I get help if I need it and when do I have to make the decision by? This generally gives me a way forward. It slows my thought processes down enough to calm my nerves and to help me focus on the issue at hand, which then bolsters my confidence because I know I’m making a decision that I can defend with integrity. It doesn’t always work, but with practice I’m getting better.”

Janet Berry CMgr, head of conservation, Church of England Cathedral and Church Buildings Division

Ask for help

“When overcoming confidence issues, I think it’s important to be open and honest with people in the team. I’m now working in construction, having come from a maritime background, but engineering is often the same, within reason. However, I do always check with specific trades if I’m unsure. This shows that I value their opinion and that I’m aware of my limitations. Hopefully, that attitude then filters through the team.”

Phil Quinn CMgr, associate director, AESG