Ever held back from speaking up in a meeting?
Or wanted to try something new but stopped yourself?
Confidence is the difference between taking action and staying stuck. It’s not about never feeling fear, it’s about moving forward anyway.

Confidence shapes everything. From the risks we take to the goals we set. When it’s strong, we step up. When it’s low, we hold back and miss opportunities.

IN BRIEF

• Confidence influences decisions, risk-taking, and persistence in the face of setbacks.

• Small wins build confidence, leading to more action, bigger goals, and further growth.

• To shift it: Break challenges into small steps, provide timely feedback, and reinforce success with social proof.

WHAT IT IS

Confidence is trusting yourself to figure things out.
It’s not arrogance. It’s the quiet belief that you can handle challenges, even when things get tough.

E.g. Someone thinks they’re bad at reading. They avoid it. But with small wins and encouragement, their confidence grows and so does their ability.

HOW IT INFLUENCES US

Confidence shapes how we act, decide, and persist:

1. Keeps you going

People with confidence don’t stop at failure. They adapt and try again.

2. Encourages risk-taking

Confidence makes people willing to step into the unknown.

3. Creates a success loop

Small wins boost confidence, leading to bigger wins.

4. Affects decision-making

Confident people commit and act.

HOW TO SPOT IT

Signs of confidence (or lack of it):

🔎 Do they push through setbacks? → Confidence shows in persistence.

🔎 Are they setting big goals? → Confident people aim higher and challenge themselves.

🔎 Do they explore new things? → A willingness to try unfamiliar things is a strong sign.

🔎 Are they speaking up? → Confidence isn’t always loud, but it’s there when people share ideas and take a stand.

HOW TO SHIFT IT

Attitudes and beliefs are hard to change, but not impossible. Instead of direct confrontation (which triggers defensiveness), try these tactics:

1. Turn doubt into action

Use One Step to help people take small, achievable actions. Success builds confidence.

2. Reinforce their progress

Use Steps to Success to make growth visible. Seeing improvement encourages persistence.

3. Reduce self-doubt

Use Mute Cues to remove distractions and noise that trigger hesitation or fear.

4. Surround them with belief

Use Follow the Crowd to show others succeeding. Confidence grows when people see proof that success is possible.

Change Tactics coming soon

Want to read tactics like Show Consequences and Reconfigure Options? 🔜

The Science Behind It

Our brains work hard to protect our existing beliefs. Even when faced with conflicting evidence, we often double down rather than change our minds.

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