Greater demands are placed on us as individuals and employees than ever before. Our global economy, scientific and technology breakthroughs have created a higher level of expectation and competitiveness. What does our skilled and technical world have to do with self-esteem?

Lets define self-esteem. Self-esteem is regard to oneself, self-confidence or self-contentment. In other words, making everyday life decisions with confidence or contentment. So how does your confidence and contentment fit into our corporate culture? New demands are requiring innovation, personal responsibility, self-direction and self-management. Successful business requires a higher level of initiative, self-trust and independence, or self-esteem.

Studies show the following six practices as essential to building healthy self-esteem:

1) Willingness to face reality, respect for facts.
2) Self-Acceptance. Take responsibility for our thoughts and actions without evasiveness or denial.
3) Self-Responsibility. We determine our choices and actions.
4) Self-Assertiveness. Be real with other people. Remember, there is a right and a wrong way to express yourself.
5) Live life like you mean it! Identify your dreams and goals, then take an action and stay on track.
6) Personal Integrity. Truth, dealing fairly with others and honoring our commitments. When we compromise what our mind knows is right, self-worth is always diminished.

Practicing the above six steps affects virtually every aspect of an individuals self-esteem and making the decision to implement these practices brings a new level of consciousness into the business arena. New levels of consciousness reshape thinking towards our mission statement, strategy, individual creativity and innovativeness within our organizations.

Confident and content individuals role model their behavior and it affects many aspects of their organization. Respect to associates and customers translate into company culture and high performance.