The ‘Support, Guidance, Let Go’ System for Building Confidence, According to Kobi Omenaka

In a recent LinkedIn post, Kobi Omenaka shares a powerful, non-business-related anecdote to illustrate a fundamental principle of effective leadership and system design. Omenaka uses the example of a young girl struggling to jump rope to highlight a structured approach to fostering confidence and capability in others.

Leadership as a System: Learning from a Jump Rope Lesson

The core of Omenaka’s insight comes from observing how two individuals, Martha and Keisha, intervened to help the struggling child. Rather than simply offering encouragement from the sidelines, they actively demonstrated a process. As Kobi Omenaka describes the interaction:

“Showed her the steps
↳ They slowed the cadence down
↳ Stepped inside the ropes and jumped with her”

This hands-on, step-by-step guidance is presented as a deliberate system. Omenaka, drawing from a background in engineering, identifies this method as a model for effective intervention and development. The process, as outlined by Omenaka, follows a clear progression: first providing support and direct guidance, and then gradually allowing the individual to perform independently.

Challenging the Notion of Confidence Precedence

A key argument Kobi Omenaka makes in the post is a reframing of when confidence emerges in the development process. Many assume that confidence must precede action or learning, but Omenaka contends that the opposite is often true, especially within well-designed systems. According to Omenaka:

“Most people think confidence comes first. It doesn’t.
Confidence is built inside the system.”

This perspective suggests that creating the right environment and providing the necessary structure are paramount. Omenaka asserts that in fields ranging from engineering and marketing to leadership, the foundational structure or system should be established before expecting individuals to possess unwavering belief in their abilities. This challenges a common approach where one might wait for someone to ‘feel ready’ before offering opportunities.

Designing Systems for Self-Belief

Omenaka emphasizes that the goal of good systems extends beyond mere task completion; they are instrumental in cultivating genuine self-belief. The process of learning and succeeding within a supportive structure inherently builds confidence. As Kobi Omenaka puts it:

“Good systems don’t just produce results.
They produce people who believe in themselves. 🙌”

This highlights the transformative potential of structured support. By intervening with practical guidance and then stepping back, Martha and Keisha enabled the child not only to master jump roping but also to experience the empowering feeling of success achieved through her own efforts. Omenaka’s analysis suggests that leaders and system designers should focus on creating these enabling conditions, thereby fostering capable and confident individuals who can eventually ‘fly on their own,’ celebrated for their achievements.