Name: Nelab Haidari

Student ID: 25189

Professor: Paul Penton
MGT 410 Assignment

Self-confidence
1. What are some visible ways we display self-confidence? Self-doubt?

Even if we are not feeling confident, nobody needs to know. You just observe others who
exude confidence and begun to modify your body language and action so that you appear
more confident. As we see someone with their shoulders back, their chain up and a steady
gaze we see confidence or notice someone fidgeting with their hands in their pocket and
downward or sporadic gaze we see weakness.
These sings as stated in the book, subconsciously send the message that you’re close off
from the rest of the group and that you are forming a protective shell around your body.
Note: some additional ways for displaying self-confidence and self-doubt:
Ways to display self-confidence are:
a- Power pose: try to stand stall by stretching your arms far above your head
b- Make eye contact: a good eye contact is sing of self-esteem.
c- Keep your hands visible: keep them visible and active in the conversation
d- Smile: will shows you are pleasant and approachable individual
Signs of insecurity are:
a- No eye contact: if you lack eye contact, you will appear scattered or inattentive
b- Biting Nails
c- Bad poster: slouching or minimizing your body while talking shows uncertainty

2. Think of a situation where you doubted yourself or your abilities. How might you
have overcome your anxieties?

Not long ago, after the attack on campus, I received an email informing me that I have been
put on probation period since I got C- in my summer class. During my first semester in
probation period, suddenly one of my class’s professor was replaced with Rod Monger
which caused me too much pressure and anxiety. It was hard to believe that for the first
time, I got an F in two midterms of this class.
I was very nervous so I requested Mrs. Foster to withdraw my class with Monger but she
said if she does so I will go to probation again (having less than 4-calsses). Either way I was
going to lose my scholarship by getting ’’ F ‘’ from Monger or withdrawing his class. Through
focusing on my previous achievements and skill in the past, I chose to push myself and carry
self-assurance which enabled me to defeat my self-saboteur, study hard days/nights and get
the highest marks in the class for the rest of the course.
3. How can asking questions add to your self-confidents image?

Asking questions boosts one’s self-confidence in his/her knowledge and skills. As stated in
the book, questions that demonstrate confidence image are below:
a- Making a statement and then following up with the clarifying question is to show
you know your stuff but are interested in learning and are more deeply involved
with the issue.
b- Before explaining a topic, ask audience how much they know about the topic
through which you will get more attention and inspire more courage.
c- Ask questions that demonstrate inclusionary behavior. Find participants who have
ideas or comments by observing their body language and facial reactions, and ask
them to contribute.

4. Are you afraid to recognize your successes? If so, what’s holding you back form self-
congratulation? What small things can you do to acknowledge your progress or
achievement?
Yes, sometimes. The fear of being wrong and doubting my ability is what holds me back
from congratulating myself. It’s my worst habit to rely on others’ idea about my
achievements and capabilities. For avoiding such inconvenience, I should celebrate my
success intrinsically and do not rely on others’ opinion of how good I am. I have to look back
to my past experiences having to handle hardships and being optimistic.
5. What are the things about yourself that you’re most proud of?

Trusting my abilities and talent is something that I am proud of which enable me to raise
above all the difficulties and approach my vision. During my life, times came when I felt
unsecure, lazy, incompetent or unable but through recalling my past experiences and things
that I have achieved in my life ( AUAF scholarship, YSEL scholarship, Second Rank in
Competency exam and UNWFP-internship) up-lifts me and gives me more courage to move
toward my vision.

Building Community

1. How diverse is your community? Do you often step outside your comfort zone when
seeking new friends or acquaintances?
Comparing to the place where I lived ‘’ Nangarhar Province’’, it’s not always an easy task to
build relationships and make friends in Kabul due to its diversity compared to Nangarhar.
In Kabul, there are people not only from different parts of Afghanistan but also people from
other countries encounter/interact with each other in places like AUAF, US-Embassy, UN
and so on.
Interacting and building relationships is uncomfortable challenge therefore, I have to step
outside of my comfort zone when seeking new friends. I have to be careful enough to
interact appropriately in various cultural context related to the person whom I am
 networking with. For instance with Afghan colleagues being direct is a sign of disrespect
however a European or American colleague would appreciate being direct.
2. What are some of the benefits you’ve experienced form collaborating with others?

The more I expand and foster my connections, the more benefits I will gain. Meeting new
people, I get the power to be reenergized, get fresh perspective, and so much change in my
life regarding my future vision and goals. Everyone I meet, is a new understanding of life
form different perspective and I get inspired by different stories they live. Additionally,
there is a possibility of getting new job with UNWFP-team after completing my internship.

3. What are some ways to reach out and connect with others?

As stated in the book ‘’ the best community builders approach each connection with an
equal level of authenticity and a willingness to invite others into their community’’. The
trick to reach out others is to make sure that your interactions with others are always
positive. Follow bellow steps while networking:
a- Ask the right question
b- Show genuine interest in the speakers respond
c- Make your relationships genuine

4. What might be holding you back from making new connections? What mental
obstacles might you need to overcome?

Things that hold me back from making new connections are challenges and accountabilities
of the relationships, and the fear of dishonesty from the new person. For instance, I made a
friend in office whom I shared my personal information with and later on, she tried to
misuse that information and ruin my image before others. Therefore, while meeting new
people, I kind of stereotype them as what if this person become a trouble maker for me.
Classifying others as one segment and stereotyping them is the challenge I have to
overcome to have healthy relationships with others.
5. What are some ways you can contribute to or strengthen your current community?

By constantly racing upward and personal growth, I also improve the community around
me. Others in the community will benefit from my ambition, derive and willingness to
contribute as member of their community. Moreover, making a meaningful contribution to
my work, builds others’ confidence in my abilities/skills and consequently, I become a role
model for others to get inspired by.