Confidence vs Competence at Work: Why Promotions Favour Visibility Over Skill

_{May 9, 2025}

You hit your targets. You lead quietly but effectively. So why is someone else climbing the ladder at a faster pace than you? If you’ve ever felt like your hard work isn’t translating into recognition or advancement, you’re not alone. This is the classic confidence vs competence dilemma: being highly capable but not seen as leadership material. At The Happy Mondays Co., we’ve coached countless high-performing professionals in Singapore and beyond who feel stuck in this exact spot. Having the right hard skills can only get you so far, as outcomes alone don’t always speak for themselves. We often meet clients who’ve invested heavily in building expertise, only to feel frustrated when someone else gets the spotlight. It feels unfair, and in many ways, it truly is. They’re not lacking in skill. It’s visibility that they lack. While hard skills are your foundation, visibility is the bridge. Without it, you risk becoming the best-kept secret on your team. The bottom line is, competence gets the job done, but confidence gets you noticed.

The Confidence vs Competence Dilemma

Let’s break down what confidence and competence signifies. Competence is your ability to deliver results – your technical skills, reliability, and expertise. Confidence is how you communicate your value – your presence, assertiveness, and willingness to be seen. In many workplaces, promotions often go to those who are vocal, visible, and perceived as leaders – even if their actual output is on par with or below yours. Consider two colleagues: One consistently delivers high-quality work but stays under the radar. The other is less consistent but frequently shares updates, speaks up in meetings, and networks actively. Who’s more likely to be top of mind when leadership opportunities arise?

Why Competence Feels Safer (But Isn’t Always Strategic)

Many high performers lean into competence because it feels objective and safe. You might think, “If I do great work, people will notice.” But unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Factors like impostor syndrome, cultural upbringing, or gender norms can make self-promotion feel uncomfortable or even inappropriate. In some cultures, humility is valued over self-advocacy, leading professionals to believe that their work should speak for itself. We grow up under the assumption that if we do good work, we’ll be rewarded. But in the workplace, outcomes alone don’t always speak for themselves. Visibility matters. Decision-makers often rely on perception to assess leadership potential; and sure, it’s not ideal, but confidence is often read as readiness. This doesn’t mean competence is irrelevant. But promotions tend to favour those who are seen, heard, and remembered in the right rooms.

The Cost of Staying Quiet: Visibility, Influence, and Advancement

When you don’t advocate for yourself, you risk being overlooked, regardless of your capabilities. Lack of visibility can lead to missed opportunities, underestimation of your potential, and slower career progression. Confidence isn’t about arrogance; it’s about clarity and presence. It involves articulating your achievements, contributing to discussions, and positioning yourself as a leader. That said, confidence isn’t always loud and we get to redefine what confidence looks like for ourselves. Developing an executive presence and strategic communication skills, in a style that works for you and seen by others, can significantly enhance your influence and open doors to advancement.

Building Strategic Confidence (Without Becoming Someone You’re Not)

You don’t need to become a different person to build confidence. Here are authentic ways to enhance your visibility: Share your successes in meetings by highlighting outcomes and learnings. Seek feedback to understand how others perceive your contributions. Manage upward by keeping leaders informed about your projects and achievements. Align your communication with your values, ensuring authenticity in your interactions. Remember, confidence is a skill that can be developed. Your impact deserves to be seen, not just felt behind the scenes.

How The Happy Mondays Co. Helps Bridge the Gap

At The Happy Mondays Co., we specialise in performance coaching that empowers professionals to combine competence with confidence. Our approach focuses on: Strategic communication to effectively convey your value. Developing a personal leadership voice that aligns with your authentic self. Enhancing influence without compromising well-being or authenticity. Through our coaching, clients learn to navigate the confidence vs competence dynamic, positioning themselves for the recognition and advancement they deserve.

Conclusion

Success requires more than just competence. It also demands confidence – the ability to showcase your strengths and advocate for your growth. Bridging the confidence vs competence gap is not about changing who you are, but about revealing more of your true self to the right people. If you’re ready to step into your full potential, explore The Happy Mondays Co.’s performance coaching services or reach out for a conversation. Let’s work together to ensure your hard work leads to the recognition and advancement you deserve.