How To Boost Self-Confidence In Online Training
Self-confidence is one of the trickiest soft skills to master. It’s not an inherited trait, but one that your employees must cultivate and nurture over time. Building self-confidence and becoming self-assured allows your corporate learners to pursue their goals with fervor, knowing that they have what it takes to make it. Fortunately, there are ways that you can help your employees to grow their self-confidence by leaps and bounds through your online training program.
1. Use Branching Scenarios To Explore All Potential Outcomes
The thing that makes most corporate learners doubt themselves and their abilities is fear of the unknown. They aren't sure where their decisions and actions will take them. Thus, there's always a possibility of achieving a negative outcome or facing real-world repercussions. Branching scenarios give them the rare opportunity to explore all of the potential outcomes, both good and bad, so that they can gain valuable experience. This also offers them the chance to gauge how they would react in real-life situations. If they can get a sneak peek of where each path leads them they can fine-tune their weaknesses and build their self-confidence in the process. To make sure that you don't leave out any important points and that your branching scenario has a coherent structure, you should first create an eLearning storyboard.
2. Encourage Employees To Test Their Limits
One of the most effective ways to foster self-confidence is venturing out of the comfort zone. Employees who are able to test their mettle and overcome new challenges find out what they're truly made of. If they are stuck in a rut and playing it safe all the time, they simply won't have the chance to grow as individuals. Spark online discussions by posing thought-provoking questions that challenge their assumptions. You can also develop online training simulations and branching scenarios that explore new and exciting tasks. The goal is to get them thinking about who they are, what they are capable of, and how they can improve moving forward. Just keep in mind that there is a limit and you shouldn’t push them too far during the online training session. Gradually expand their boundaries and never test them to the point that they become overwhelmed or emotionally distressed.
3. Set Realistic Online Training Goals and Track Milestones
Self-confidence in online training typically takes a nosedive when employees fail to reach their goals. They start second-guessing themselves and wonder if they have what it takes to achieve success. This is particularly true for corporate learners who already have shaky self-esteem. However, this can be avoided by setting realistic goals that feature more manageable milestones that corporate learners can track. Instead of trying to accomplish a more complex goal that takes a year to complete, corporate learners can tackle smaller tasks and sub-goals as they go along. This also helps improve their motivation and engagement, especially if you offer them personalized praise after every small victory.
4. Create A Positive Online Training Environment
Speaking of personalized praise, a positive and supportive online training environment can work wonders for self-confidence. If corporate learners are facing a new problem or task, doubt and worry can wreak havoc on their confidence levels. You can counteract this by giving them the support tools and online training resources they need to be at their best. Integrating forums and FAQs into your online training program allows corporate learners to reach out to their peers and online instructors. Posting positive and informative links on social media pages can also keep the online training atmosphere upbeat.
5. Include Real-World Examples That Challenge Their Assumptions
Every employee has their own set of beliefs, opinions, and assumptions. In some cases, these cognitions are holding them back and preventing them from gaining self-confidence. For example, they may have self-defeating beliefs that they are not good enough to get a promotion or they don't have the skills to land their dream job. However, inspirational real-world examples and stories can show them otherwise. They can challenge their current assumptions and make them question those negative beliefs. If they learn about another individual who overcame the odds and achieved their true potential, then they might be motivated to do the same. Alternatively, take advantage of the characters that your eLearning authoring tool features, to create a compelling story that your employees can relate to.
6. Develop A Mentorship Online Training Program
Certain corporate learners may need some extra support to build their self-confidence. A mentorship online training program where they are paired with a self-confident and self-assured co-worker may be the ideal solution. Mentoring provides them an example to follow, so that they can see confidence in action. They also have the chance to acquire new skills, experiences, and talents that can improve their self-esteem. For best results, team them up with supervisors, managers, or more experienced co-workers who have similar interests or are in the same department.
7. Offer Corporate Learners Real-World Experience To Broaden Their Skills
The more skills your corporate learners discover the more self-confidence they will have. Think of skills as the building blocks of confidence. Every ability they acquire and cultivate brings them one step closer to achieving their goals and becoming self-aware. They become more qualified over time, which allows them to take on bigger and better projects. Instead of sticking with the same work tasks, they can start branching out by taking on new work responsibilities. This not only benefits them by improving their productivity and efficiency, but also benefits your organization as a whole. When another employee is out sick for the day, your self-confident employees can step in and fill the gaps.
It’s also important to bear in mind that corporate learners need a self-confidence boost from time to time. Ideally, you should offer them refresher online training activities, such as simulations and other interactive online training content, to gradually foster this essential trait. Also, solicit eLearning feedback regularly to develop new and improved online training courses that meet their soft skill needs.
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