What is Covid Confidence – and why should you lean into it?

One for leaders feeling challenged right now...

Recent research by Hack Yourself, based on insights from leaders across multiple countries, found that nearly 60% report greater confidence in their leadership now than before Covid.

I'm calling this Covid Confidence.

At first glance, that statistic feels counter-intuitive. Covid was chaotic; Furlough. Financial uncertainty. Rapidly launching online services. Supporting colleagues through loss and trauma... often while navigating it yourself. An overnight shift to remote working. The list goes on.

And all the while, something else was happening.

Under pressure, we were building new fibres of leadership skill and resilience.

For many leaders, and I count myself here, that period became one of the most significant phases of our leadership evolution.

I was reminded of this recently while training leaders from over 20 countries, brought together in Cape Town. I heard first-hand how leaders developed empathy, adaptability, sharper judgement about when to move fast and when to pause, clearer and more regular communication, a stronger focus on outcomes rather than hours, and deeper self-awareness.

So if you’re heading into something challenging at work... something that feels difficult or even insurmountable... remember Covid Confidence and think about what’s on the other side of the hard work.