Fake it till you make it. It’s a familiar aphorism that says if you feign enough confidence and positivity, you’ll eventually start to embody it. While we’re sceptical of faking anything (at work or elsewhere) embracing this manifesting-adjacent energy can be helpful, especially if you’re experiencing a dip in confidence.

And many of us are at the moment: the world of work is constantly evolving – and at an increasingly rapid pace. According to recent research from LinkedIn, more than half (54%) of women in the UK feel overwhelmed at work, with 58% saying they no longer think experience alone is enough to stay ahead in the workplace.

It might be time to fake it till you make it – but how? “Mastering the art of projecting confidence is key and – brace yourself – it doesn’t require channelling Miranda Priestly levels of cool composure,” says Charlotte Davies, a careers expert at LinkedIn. “Even those at the top of their game have moments of self-doubt. The key is to remember that you’re not alone.”

Meanwhile, Emily Austen, the founder and CEO of Emerge and author of Smarter, advocates faking it till you make it in one of the simplest ways possible. “Act like the person you want to be,” she says. “Embodying your goal self – understanding how they would behave, dress and respond – is a great way to move yourself closer to this reality.”

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, there are some simple tricks to try. Read on for Davies and Austen’s top tips for projecting confidence, while taking steps to adapt to the ever-changing world of work. 

“Adding a new string to your bow can be a real confidence boost at work. For example, LinkedIn recently found half of women think AI will significantly impact their job in the next five years. So, rather than being scared, brush up on your AI skills and stay ahead of the game by trying a dedicated course,” says Davies.

“Visualisation is an incredibly powerful tool. You quite literally have to see it to believe it. For many of us, our limiting beliefs prevent us from even believing in the possibility of the image. So it’s not surprising that it’s impossible to make that blurry image a reality. Much of the practice of manifesting, hypno­therapy, meditation and goal-setting centres around a version of visualisation. Repetitive cues – whether in our imagination, on our phone backgrounds or roughly cut out and stuck on the wall – enable us to keep focused on a visual goal,” says Austen.

“No one gets through working life solo. Work friends are often the first to notice when you’re feeling overwhelmed and can offer advice, support, or just a shoulder to lean on. And your work community is not just limited to your peer group; having a great relationship with your manager will allow you to speak freely and receive extra support and encouragement from those who were once in your shoes,” says Davies.

“If you are experiencing a situation that is making you anxious, stressed, down, sad or frustrated, identify three things that your best friend would need in this situation. Then write down why you haven’t offered those things to yourself. Try and switch the lists, so you focus on what you’d offer your friend to help her feel more confident,” says Austen.

“Let’s face it: we’ve all heard that inner voice that says ‘You can’t do this.’ Nearly a quarter of women (24%) worry they will come across as inexperienced or unknowledgeable if they ask for help in the workplace. That inner voice, if left unchecked, can really damage your confidence. Remind yourself of how capable you really are – a simple ‘I can handle this’ can help shift your outward persona, helping to project confidence. It’s a key part of building resilience,” says Davies.

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