We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Anika Davis a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Anika, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
Developing true confidence and self-esteem takes time and is an ongoing journey. I am still on this journey as I continue to learn and grow personally and professionally. For many, their sense of self-worth can become too tied to external factors like occupation, title, or annual income. But I’ve found that real confidence and self-esteem must come from within.
Although difficult but necessary for personal growth, I’ve learned that the key is to cultivate an authentic connection with myself. Rather than seeking validation from others or basing my worth on external achievements like the ones mentioned above, I’ve worked on getting to know and accept who I am at my core: what makes me happy, sad, or even excited?
Learning myself this new way has involved a lot of self-reflection through journaling, challenging negative thought patterns, and learning to silence the inner critic. As a result, I’ve learned that it’s about embracing my unique strengths, quirks, and imperfections and challenging myself to stay out of the perfection trap—not trying to fit into someone else’s mold. People will have an opinion of you regardless of what you say or don’t say or do or don’t do.
As I’ve become more comfortable in my skin, my confidence has grown from a deep, unwavering place within me. It’s not dependent on external factors or other people’s opinions. Instead, it emanates from a place of self-love, self-acceptance, and a strong sense of my inherent value.
Of course, this hasn’t happened overnight. It’s taken time, patience, and a lot of personal growth work. I’ve found that the more I’ve invested in genuinely knowing and honoring myself, the more my authentic confidence has blossomed.
Since I approach life as a learning journey, I am still developing my confidence and self-esteem, which is an ongoing process. I’m proud of my progress in letting my true self shine through. I hope that sharing my experience might inspire others to cultivate that deep, unshakable confidence from within.
I want to share some of the key tips I have found helpful:
- Be kind to yourself and challenge negative thoughts. Speaking to yourself with the same compassion you would extend to a friend is essential.
- Celebrate your successes, no matter how small, and keep a list of things you like about yourself.
- Surround yourself with positive people who lift you, and limit time with those who make you feel negatively about yourself. Building a supportive network can significantly boost self-esteem.
- Set small, achievable goals and learn new skills to build a sense of mastery and accomplishment. Trying new hobbies or volunteering can also be great ways to develop confidence.
- Focus on self-care through exercise, proper rest, and doing things you enjoy. Such activities work wonders for improving your overall well-being and self-perception.
It is an ongoing journey, and incorporating these strategies has helped me make progress in developing my confidence and self-esteem.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you.
As an organizational psychologist and the CEO/Founder of Winning Results, I’ve dedicated my career to helping individuals and organizations unlock their full potential through strategic planning, coaching, and professional development programs. What I find most exciting about this work is the ability to make a tangible, positive impact on people’s lives and business performance. One of my key focus areas has been writing a book to support the mental health needs of women. Too often, women face unique challenges and stressors in the workplace and their personal lives, and I’m driven to provide them with the tools, strategies, and support they need to thrive. Through this book, I aim to share research-backed insights and practical guidance that empower women to prioritize their well-being, build resilience, and achieve their goals.
At the same time, I continue to expand the reach and impact of Winning Results. We specialize in providing innovative solutions to complex business challenges, helping companies of all sizes improve employee engagement, productivity, and team collaboration. Our team of experts has a proven track record of driving transformative change and delivering record-breaking results for our clients.
Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue growing and expanding my company to find new ways to serve individuals and companies alike. Whether through our leadership development programs, executive coaching services, or strategic planning engagements, our mission is to foster empowered, high-performing organizations built on a foundation of emotional intelligence and people-centric values.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Persistence, Patience, Kindness
People looking to grow in these areas should understand that developing each takes time. Also, intentionality will be critical to their success. Anytime we seek to grow in an area or skill, we must persist in patience. This will require us to be kind and show grace to ourselves.
Alright, so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
I have been very fortunate throughout my life to have amazing teachers, leaders, and mentors who have demonstrated the value of effective communication. These individuals taught me that effective communication is not just about sharing information – it’s about forging connections, building trust, and aligning people around a shared vision. When we communicate with intention, authenticity, and emotional intelligence, we can inspire others, drive change, and unlock new levels of performance and innovation.
As an organizational psychologist and leader, I’ve seen firsthand how the ability to communicate clearly, persuasively, and empathetically can transform individuals, teams, and entire organizations. My educational journey, from earning a B.S. in Psychology (Duke University) to completing an M.A. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology (Argosy University) and an Ed.D. in Leadership and Learning in Organizations (Vanderbilt University), has equipped me with a deep understanding of human behavior, motivation, and the dynamics that drive high-performing workplaces. Most importantly, the guidance and wisdom of my mentors – formal and informal – have truly shaped my approach to communication and leadership. They’ve taught me the importance of building relationships through active listening, encouraging others, and using storytelling to inspire and engage.
I am grateful for the mentors and teachers who have guided me on my journey of communication mastery. Their insights and wisdom have been invaluable, and I’m honored to pay it forward by helping others unlock their personal and professional potential.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.getwinningresults.com
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/anika-davis-ed-d
