When someone we care about experiences self-doubt, our instinct might be to shower them with compliments or immediately dismiss their concerns. However, truly helping others navigate through periods of uncertainty requires a more nuanced approach – one that respects their intelligence while acknowledging their struggles.
People experiencing self-doubt need authentic support, not condescension or coddling. They are capable individuals facing temporary challenges, not fragile beings requiring protection. The key is to help them reconnect with their inherent strengths while providing practical guidance for moving forward.
Here are three powerful ways to help someone work through self-doubt:
- Offer perspective through specific evidence. One thing you can do is remind your colleague, friend, or loved one of concrete past successes and times they’ve overcome similar challenges. Rather than vague reassurances, point to real examples that demonstrate their capabilities: “Remember how you successfully led that project last year, even though you were new to the role?”
- Provide some “tough love” with actionable steps. You knew this one was coming, right? In this scenario, it is important to acknowledge their feelings while refusing to let them spiral. Help them break down their challenges into manageable pieces and create a clear path forward. Sometimes people need to hear, “Yes, this is difficult, but you’re wasting energy on self-doubt when you could be taking action.”
- Reframe their perspective through strategic questions. This suggestion is all about helping them examine their assumptions. Ask them to consider what advice they’d give a friend in their situation, or what evidence they have for and against their self-doubts. This approach helps them develop better self-awareness and more balanced thinking patterns.
Remember, the goal here isn’t to dismiss someone’s feelings, but to help them move through them productively. By combining empathy with pragmatism, we can help others rediscover their confidence and capability – not through empty praise, but through meaningful support that respects their potential while challenging them to grow.
Happy Networking!