We’ve all heard that confidence trumps competence when it comes to success.

We may not like it, but it’s hard to dispute.

Picture this.

An emergency alarm sounds in your building. Everyone is looking around wondering frantically what to do next.  Who are you more likely to follow?

1. The person who tentatively appears to be in charge, maybe hesitating, maybe with a quiet voice, or

2. The person who stands up, grabs attention and says “follow me” confidently, even if they’re making it up as they go along?

Unfortunately, we’d rather follow a seemingly confident person, than the under confident person who may be better informed but doesn’t shout it out from the rooftops.   It’s human nature and an important point for leaders.

We have a great example right now in politics in the current leader of the free world (whose name I shall not mention). He’s winging it and everyone knows it. He is making it up on the fly, even changing the rules as he goes along, yet still people follow.

However for the rest of us, winging it will only get us so far and preparation is the answer.

Every day I speak with executive women who are winning but not winging it in their careers. I’m coaching them through presentations and interviews along with influence and negotiation plans.  I frequently ask them the following question –
“When was the last time you got a great result doing this? And what was it that helped you get that great result?”

“Doing the work and preparing. It’s just that I’ve learned to make it look easy” is their answer.

There will come a time in your career when winging it won’t work any more because it leaves far too much room for:

• Making mistakes that have considerable negative impact on others

• Making half assed attempts with excuses for failing (“it wasn’t meant to be ….”)

• Imposter Syndrome to take hold with the very real threat of being caught out.

Preparation will mitigate those risks.

Winging it might get you a seat at the table, but it won’t keep you there. You’ll need to do the work.

Does this mean you never wing it?

Heck no! There will still be ample opportunities for winning winging tactics. Sometimes my best ideas come out of conversations where I was making it up on the fly.

But if you’re serious about your career and leadership aspirations be sure to only wing it on the things that can’t derail you.

Then prioritise your preparation on the things that matter most.

#womenofimpact #LookOutCSuiteHereSheComes #winningnotwinging

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