10 signs of a confident and self-assured person who radiates positivity

Have you ever met someone who just oozes confidence and positivity? Someone who walks into a room and instantly captures everyone’s attention without even trying?

It’s a rare and enviable quality, one that many of us strive for but few seem to possess naturally.

But what sets these people apart from the rest of us mere mortals?

What are the secrets to their magnetic presence and unwavering self-assurance?

In this article, we’re going to explore the 10 signs of a truly confident and self-assured person, so you can learn how to embody those traits and radiate your own unique brand of positivity.

So, are you ready to unlock the secrets of the truly magnetic?

Let’s dive in.

1) They Smile A Lot

“Smiling is the best way to face every problem, to crush every fear and to hide every pain.” – Invajy

One of the most apparent signs of a positive individual is their smile. Their charisma is unmatched.

When they smile, they have this superpower of making you feel like everything’s going to be okay.

It’s a simple yet powerful gesture that creates a ripple effect since people tend to mirror the body language of the person they’re conversing with.

I’m sure you could think of someone in your life that makes you feel at ease whenever you’re around them.

They’re often known as “the life of the party.” People gravitate towards them because of their warmth, friendliness, and ability to lighten up the mood.

Fun fact: Small actions like smiling can make a profound difference.

A small smile has been proven to trigger a chemical reaction in your brain that makes you feel happier and thus appear more approachable to others, attracting the positive energy that you want.

2) They Effectively Communicate Their Thoughts and Feelings

“Write to be understood, speak to be heard, read to grow.” ― Lawrence Clark Powell

Confident and self-assured individuals have a knack for expressing their thoughts with clarity and poise.

They understand the importance of open and honest communication, both in personal and professional settings.

They’re very particular with the words they use to express their opinions and emotions.

They try to put a positive spin on things as much as possible.

Say, for instance, the sentence “I can’t finish this by tomorrow” can be reworded into something along the lines of “If you can give me two more days, it’ll be on your desk.”

They also steer clear of words that can sound too demanding and add a “please” at the beginning of their requests.

This helps create a positive atmosphere in the workplace.

These types of people also give themselves positive affirmations – like “I am confident,” “I am enough,” and “I’m a positive person” – over and over again.

Say these affirmations out loud and often enough, you’ll start to believe them.

3) They Form Meaningful Relationships with Others

“We can improve our relationships with others by leaps and bounds if we become encouragers instead of critics.” — Joyce Meyer

Interesting people are interested people. A key aspect of positivity is the ability to form deep, meaningful relationships with others.

One way to do so is by ditching the small talk. Forget about trying to be interesting, but instead, show interest in what the other person has to say.

Be curious. Find depth in the conversation. Ask about the small details that make up their life, what they did over the weekend, their pets, and even their aspirations. Everyone has a story to tell.

Positive people also treat everyone with utmost respect.

They don’t see themselves as superior to anyone else. They’re empathetic and compassionate.

They understand that everyone has their own unique struggles and experiences, and so by showing respect, they know that they’d also be making a positive impact on the lives of others.

4) They See Setbacks as Stepping Stones to Success

“Failure is not the opposite of success, it’s part of success” – Arianna Huffington

Life is full of challenges, but confident and self-assured individuals view these setbacks as opportunities for growth.

They understand that obstacles are inevitable.

So instead of undermining their sense of self-worth, they remind themselves that “This time around, I’m not starting from scratch. I’m starting from experience.”

I’ve had my fair share of failures in life simply because I was always in a hurry to achieve something great, to be the next Steve Jobs or Elon Musk.

I started businesses left and right; I went into debt; I lost count of how much money I’ve lost.

But every time a business failed, I took the lessons with me and came back stronger than before. I was relentless. (And to be honest with you – these failures also make for a good success story).

5) They’re Comfortable with Being Vulnerable

“Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy—the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.” – Brene Brown

You might be one of those people who cringes when they hear the word “vulnerability.”

Maybe you’re conjuring up images of a friend holding your hand around the campfire while they rant about their ex-boyfriend – only to find them getting back together, going through the same cycle of toxicity, then coming back crying to you.

I’m here to tell you that being vulnerable is far simpler than that. It’s about connecting with others. It’s a strength rather than a weakness.

Confident and self-assured individuals embrace vulnerability by showing their authentic selves, even when it means revealing their flaws, fears, and doubt, regardless of what others might think of them.

This can be as simple as complimenting someone’s outfit, establishing clear boundaries, or professing your attraction to someone. Just stop trying to be perfect.

Humans like seeing each other’s rough edges; they want to see that you really are “only human” (and I guess that includes making the mistake of going back into toxic relationships).

6) They Have a Great Sense of Humor

“Good planning is important. I’ve also regarded a sense of humor as one of the most important things on a big expedition. When you’re in a difficult or dangerous situation, or when you’re depressed about the chances of success, someone who can make you laugh eases the tension.” – Edmund Hillary

As they say, laughter is the best medicine.

A great sense of humor is another hallmark of a confident and self-assured person who radiates positivity.

They’re able to find the silver lining in everyday situations and can laugh at themselves without taking things too seriously.

Their ability to bring levity to even the most serious and challenging situations helps to diffuse tension and create a more positive atmosphere.

This light-hearted approach to life not only lightens one’s burdens, but it also boosts everyone’s mood and inspires hope.

Laughter also has the remarkable ability to shift one’s perspective.

Since it triggers the release of endorphins, also known as the body’s feel-good chemicals, laughing can actually reduce stress, alleviate pent-up feelings, and foster a more open-minded mentality.

An added benefit is that people with a strong sense of humor tend to outlive those who don’t laugh as much.

7) They’re Grateful and Generous

“At times, our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” – Albert Schweitzer

Gratitude and generosity are cornerstones of a positive mindset.

Self-assured individuals recognize the value of saying “thank you” for the good things in their lives, both big and small.

This helps them maintain a glass-half-full outlook even in the face of adversity.

Consider the story of my friend Sarah, a late 20-something who has never been selfish with giving compliments to other people.

She’s also made it a habit to give back to her community.

Whether it was volunteering at a local food back, donating to charity, or simply lending a hand to a friend in need, her generous spirit has not only made a tangible difference in the lives of others but also reinforced her own sense of purpose and positivity.

8) They Keep Their Cool Often

“A man of calm is like a shady tree. People who need shelter come to it.” ― Toba Beta

A positive person can keep their cool even if they’re faced with unexpected or challenging situations.

They maintain their composure and clear headspace, which then allows them to respond appropriately.

They’re also able to foster a stable and reassuring environment for those around them.

I like to call these people the “eye of the storm” because of how calm and collected they are amidst the chaos.

I understand that it’s easy to feel like your life is out-of-control with all these jam-packed deadlines, unforgiving bosses, and bumper-to-bumper traffic.

It’s like stress is waiting at every corner. But that’s the thing – you can’t control your circumstances.

You need to reframe the situation. Correct these negative thought patterns in your head and deviate all this negative energy to something positive.

9) They Exhibit High Emotional Intelligence

“Emotional intelligence is the “something” in each of us that is a bit intangible. It affects how we manage behavior, navigate social complexities, and make personal decisions that achieve positive results.” – Travis Bradberry

Have you ever met someone that just “gets” people?

They probably have high emotional intelligence. They’re so in tune with their own emotions that they can pick up on what others are feeling, too.

They can read the room, as well as provide the support and empathy that others need.

Whenever one of your friends is going through a rough patch and starts venting to you, it can be difficult to find the right words that could comfort them and make them believe that everything’s going to be okay.

Pro tip: Ask them first, “Are you asking for advice or do you just want someone to listen?”

Once you know the answer, you can offer a listening ear and connect with your friend on a much deeper level in a way that makes a profound difference in their healing process.

10) They Find Reasons to Love Life

“Sometimes the bad things that happen in our lives put us directly on the path to the best things that will ever happen to us.” – Nicole Reed

As cheesy as it sounds, once you start to love life, life will love you back.

Confident and self-assured individuals celebrate small wins, find joy even in seemingly mundane moments, and cultivate a sense of appreciation for the beauty and wonders of the world around them.

They’re never bored because they actively seek out amazing adventures and activities to share with others.

Energy is contagious.

These types of people serve as a reminder to cherish life’s simple pleasures and to be grateful that we get to wake up every day.

They’re a much-needed breath of fresh air in a world filled with so much chaos, doubt, and negativity.