Believing in One's Abilities

What do employees need to perform well? The first reason for getting out of bed in the morning is that understanding “what” your organization stands for means you are more likely to feel energized about your work. Secondly, you need to know “what” you need to do. That’s why every employee and every team needs clear goals. For the rest, people mainly need enough space. No one likes to be told “how” they should do something; they’d prefer to decide for themselves. That gives them the chance to really contribute something.

Self-efficacy means believing in your own ability. This makes it easier to deal with setbacks because you have confidence in your own strength. You are also more involved in all the challenges facing you because you are convinced that you can make a difference. Self-efficacy is also different to self-confidence; the latter is more about your ego, while the former is related to something you do.

Many of us have been taught that our resumes are the be-all and end-all of our professional lives. We spend countless hours crafting the perfect document, choosing the right words and highlighting our achievements. And yet, despite all our efforts, our resumes often fall short in truly showcasing our skills, abilities, and potential.

But why is that? The truth is, resumes are just one piece of the puzzle. They provide a snapshot of our professional history and accomplishments, but they do not capture the full range of our experiences, skills, and talents.

For example, a resume may show that you have experience in a certain field or industry, but it does not reflect your passion for the work, your ability to adapt to new challenges, or your unique perspectives and insights. It may list your technical skills, but it does not reveal your creativity, your problem-solving abilities, or your leadership potential.

Moreover, resumes often fail to account for the intangible qualities that make us who we are, such as our values, our work ethic, and our personality. These are the qualities that can truly set us apart and make us a valuable addition to any team or organization.

So, what does this mean for job seekers and employers alike? It means that we need to look beyond the resume and focus on the whole person. We need to consider not just what is on paper, but also the intangible qualities and experiences that make each candidate unique.

For job seekers, this means being confident in your abilities and recognizing that your resume is just one part of your story. Be prepared to showcase your strengths and unique qualities during the interview process, and don't be afraid to highlight experiences or skills that may not be on your resume.

For employers, it means taking a more holistic approach to hiring. Look beyond the resume and consider a candidate's overall fit with your organization. Take the time to get to know the person behind the paper and evaluate their potential based on a more comprehensive set of criteria.

Yes, your resume may be important, but it does not define who you are or what you bring to the table. It is just one piece of the puzzle. So, don't be discouraged if your resume falls short, and don't rely solely on resumes when evaluating candidates. Remember, the whole person matters, and that's what truly sets us apart.

With all of that, I want to share with you a fundamental truth about life. That is, people will doubt you, but you should never doubt yourself.

Throughout our lives, we will come across people who will doubt our abilities, our dreams, and our aspirations. They may tell us that we are not good enough, that our goals are too ambitious, or that we simply cannot achieve what we set out to do. They may try to bring us down, criticize us, and make us question our worth.

In the workplace, leaders with high self-efficacy are more inclined to take on difficult jobs, persevere in the face of challenges, and recover from failure faster. They also inspire trust and confidence in their team, who are more willing to follow their vision and direction and exert extra effort and creativity. Self-efficacy can also help leaders deal with stress and uncertainty, as they can rely on their resources and capabilities to overcome challenges and adapt to changing situations.