Why are values the foundation of building self-confidence?

Aldona Gaudyn

07 April 2026

Many of my clients, both during online sessions and in-person meetings in Poznań, come with a seemingly simple goal: "I want to be more confident." They want to speak more freely in meetings, make decisions without paralyzing fear, and boldly seize new professional opportunities.

And while there are many techniques that support confidence, one issue keeps coming back in the coaching process like a boomerang, and that isthe lack of contact with one's own values.Without them, confidence is fragile. It is the work on values that allows for the construction of solid, unwavering foundations.

What exactly are values?

Values are our internal signposts.They answer the question: "What is truly important to me in life and work?"

These can be areas such as development, freedom, security, authenticity, influence on others, or relationships. They are not just "nice words" that sound good on paper or in a CV. They have deep meaning and directly influence our decisions, emotions, and sense of purpose. When we act in accordance with them, we feel coherence and peace. When we ignore them, tension, frustration, and chronic doubt arise.

5 reasons why values are crucial for confidence?

1. They provide internal support and stability.

If your confidence depends solely on the opinions of others, it will always be unstable. Just one critical remark can shake your self-esteem. Values work differently; they are something that no one from the outside can take from you. When you know what is important to you and act accordingly, you gain a stable reference point that is independent of the approval of those around you.

2. They make it easier to make difficult decisions.

A lack of confidence often manifests as chronic indecision. When you have clearly defined values, decisions become much simpler. You no longer just ask what is safe, but you assess what aligns with you. This builds trust in yourself.

3. They strengthen the sense of authenticity.

One of the biggest saboteurs of confidence is pretending to be someone we are not and constantly conforming to expectations while suppressing our own opinions.

When you act in accordance with your values, you are authentic. It is hard to feel confident when you always have the sense that you are playing a role.

4. They teach effective boundary setting.

Confidence is not only the courage to act but also assertiveness and the ability to say "no." If you don't know your values, yours are blurred, which ultimately results in taking on too much and ignoring your own needs. Values act as a filter, helping you evaluate the situation and refuse without a paralyzing sense of guilt.

5. They give deep meaning to action.

You can be well-prepared, yet still suffer from impostor syndrome and doubt yourself. Why? Because there is a lack of a sense of purpose. When your actions are rooted in values, a deep, internal motivation arises. When you know your "why," it becomes much easier to find the courage to act despite feeling fear.

Warning signals: what happens when you ignore your values?

In my practice, I often notice that ignoring one's own signposts leads to specific problems. The most common are:

a drastic drop in motivation even in good working conditions,
chronic fatigue and frustration,
a feeling of being "out of place,"
a lack of faith in one's own competencies.

This is not always a matter of lacking skills. Very often, it is simply a signal that you are functioning detached from what is truly important to you.

How to start working with values? 3 questions to begin with.

You don't need complicated tools to start the process of building self-awareness. Just a piece of paper, a pen, and a moment of reflection. Ask yourself the following questions:

When was the last time I felt deep satisfaction from work or life? What was so important to me then?
What situations frustrate me the most, and which of my principles are being violated at those times?
What do I want to be present in my professional life in 5 years?

Write down your answers and look for recurring themes, because that is where your fundamental values lie.

Remember, true confidence is not about not being afraid. It is about knowing who you are and what is important to you, and being able to act in accordance with yourself despite fear.

Do you want to learn more, schedule a meeting or have a conversation?

Contact me

Company data

TowardsYou Aldona Gaudyn

ul. Rubież 14B/7

61-612 Poznań

VAT no. PL6652660725

phone no. (+48) 502-202-625

e-mail: kontakt@towardsyou.pl

Observe me in social media