Simple Ways to Feel More Like a Boss at Work
Written by: Cora Gold
The boss is the person in charge and tells others what to do. They take charge and lead the way, taking advice from trusted people. Wanting this attitude comes from a desire for confidence, focus and control. You must show resilience by standing tall and handling challenges head-on, but that takes practice and skill.
Letting go of workplace shyness can help you grow personally and professionally. Whether you are the actual leader of your workplace or just need a resilience boost, these strategies can help you feel more empowered at work.
1. Face Your Fear of Failure
Start with the hardest task, breaking it into smaller steps to face your fear. What do you fear most at work? Identify what has been chipping away at your confidence and call it out for what it is. This isn’t about blaming others — it’s about understanding your mindset and ability to lift or hold you down.
Instead, identify what makes you weak. It could be a fear of failure, not being good enough or not achieving your dreams. Constant worry robs you of joy, but seeing and naming it can help you move past mistakes and reframe them as stepping stones. You learned, you grew and now you move ahead.
2. Discover Your Body Language
Take some time to really look at your reflection. Standing tall, looking people in the eye and using open hand gestures all speak of assertiveness. Slouching and crossing your arms makes you look hesitant and unsure, even when you’re not. Using ergonomic furniture can improve your posture, as it prevents slouching and allows you to sit up straight.
Practice a power stance in the mirror. If you wish to create a softer, relaxed image, try placing one hand on a hip or gently folding your hands in your lap. The Superman or Wonder Woman pose is highly effective at conveying your strength to others. Simply place your feet hip-width apart and place your hands on your hips.
3. Prepare and Visualize
A massive self-esteem killer is being ill-prepared. Use your time to prepare presentations or run through scenarios that make you feel uncomfortable. Create a version in your mind where you control the narrative. Visualize how you arrive at the meeting, deliver a flawless presentation and smile comfortably at everyone there. See the butterflies in your stomach as fairies who tug your mouth into a relaxed smile.
4. Take Structured Breaks
It’s essential to take regular breaks. Pushing yourself too hard will drain your energy, but pacing yourself keeps you sharp. When you rest at regular intervals, you become more productive, enjoy better mental health, experience increased job satisfaction and restore your focus.
Losing sleep over your work challenges will only make you cranky and cause you to slip out of boss mode. Rest is key, so follow a good sleep hygiene routine at home, including reducing screen time and avoiding caffeine before bed. When you arrive at work refreshed, you’ll deliver your best.
5. Dress for Success
What you wear says a lot about you. If you need a self-esteem boost, try a minor wardrobe change. Get some power heels or invest in a good-quality jacket. When you look good, you will feel even better. Find a style that resonates with your personality while being professional.
To feel like a boss, dress in a way that reflects your confidence and personal style. Refresh your look — whether it’s a bold lipstick, a sharp haircut or a power accessory.
6. Work on Communication
Babies aren’t born knowing how to speak — they learn it over time. Yet, not everyone learns to communicate effectively. It’s a skill, like driving, and you can develop it. Take a communication class or join a group where you can confidently practice speaking in front of others.
7. Build a Future Vision
Knowing what you want makes you feel more prepared and geared for success. When ordering at a restaurant, you likely had an idea of what you wanted before sitting down. So, why not decide what you want on your career menu?
A clear career vision will help you discover your purpose, and there is power and energy in that. Once you know where you want to be in your work, plan the steps to get there.
8. Develop a Growth Mindset
If you often think, “Why is everything so difficult?”, it’s time for a mindset shift. Instead, embrace a “What can I learn from this?” mentality. The growth mindset happens when you see challenges as opportunities, not threats. Setbacks happen, but how you handle them builds resilience and trust in your ability to succeed.
9. Learn From a Boss
A mentor can provide you with valuable insights and guidance. Knowing they’ve been where you are now can help you trust them and learn from their advice. Their insights boost your professional confidence and help you grow into a better worker as you know how to see fresh perspectives at work.
10. Master New Skills
Every new skill you master strengthens your confidence and expertise. New skills, hobbies and unique opportunities are available so you can see what you are capable of. Take courses, attend workshops and stay up to date on industry trends so you feel empowered.
11. Stand on Supportive Shoulders
Teams with little support struggle to perform their best, while ones cheered on succeed when it seemed unlikely they would. Having a strong support system lifts you and reinforces your self-belief. Their encouragement can make all the difference. Choose your supporters wisely.
12. Own Your Achievements
Shy people are often quick to downplay their contributions or successes. The limelight makes them uncomfortable, but the boss mentality is about owning what you did right. Learn not to say things like “Oh, it’s nothing,” and instead, say things like, “I worked hard, and I am proud of what I accomplished.” You may want to keep the victory dance for the privacy of your home or closed office, but celebrating is essential.
13. Make Friends With the “Monster”
Anxiety is one of the most destructive forces when it comes to your self-confidence. Develop mental resilience by making friends with that “monster.” Defang your fears by drawing a funny caricature. Perhaps your anxiety becomes a lizard or a troll — you can display it and even give it a cute pet name.
Each time you feel fear’s jaws close on your throat and threaten to cut you down, you can say, “Oh [the pet name], do you need attention again? Mommy’s a little busy now, but here’s a cookie while I finish this important work I am successful at.”
Additional Confidence-Boosting Tips
Once you’ve mastered the 13 tips above, combine them with your boss superpowers to create a well-rounded confidence profile.
Cultivate patience. You won’t achieve all the changes at once, and some days will try you, but keep trying.
Set healthy boundaries. Ensure you drive this boss train where you want to go. If people ask things you can’t do, set and maintain boundaries.
Trust yourself and your abilities. You are capable. There is nothing you can’t do — it may just take time to do the things you want to.
Nurture your curiosity. Not everything at work is serious or boring. Develop curiosity and build it to lead you toward new solutions.
Beat imposter syndrome. Know that it’s OK to feel like you’re a fraud at times. But while it’s normal, it’s not your truth. You’ve worked hard to achieve success, and you earned it. You are the real deal.
Be a Better You
You are capable. Show up, take charge and own your success. Cultivate your confidence and resilience with these strategies and own your forward momentum. Being the best you can be is about being truthful to yourself, your progress and your abilities.