Confidence

[Seriously79]

Sorry if I'm posting in the wrong place, but I wonder if you can help.

I should of gone back to work in April, after 9 months maternity, but have been furloughed until now, and due back in the next week or so. Going back to a new manager, team and half of my old job half a new job.

Ive been with the company for 16 years, and in this department for about 5. There are some very, how can i put it 'strong characters' in the team and I'm a bit nervous of going back after more than a year off, to a new team and in these uncertain times.

How can I get more confidence? Some people seem to have it seeping from their pores, and I'm worried that I'm just going to be the mouse in the corner - that's not normally my personality, but I seem to turn into a quieter person sometimes when I feel vulnerable 🤔

Any tips?

Hi, sorry you're feeling nervous

I don't know that there's anything wrong with just being fair my quiet and getting on with your work. Let the loud people be loud and you be yourself.

Maybe try to have that quieter confidence that comes from focusing on your work and being organised and getting things done properly.

In my experience, people really feel quite with loud 'confident' people in the office anyway because they don't shut up

Fake it till you make it might sound a bit glib but there is something in this... don't make the mistake of trying to compete with loud colleagues for the sake of it though. There's a lot to be said for quiet confidence. If you trust yourself and put your trust in others it'll be reciprocated and I'd much rather work with my colleagues who speak when they have something meaningful to say than individuals who have to get a word in about everything/ those that always seem to shout loudest in meetings.