Confidence is a term often regarded as the foundation for success in the personal and even professional domain. But the “confidence gap” is a lifelong challenge for many — particularly the people who work at high-stakes organizations. This gap refers to when someone inquestion cannot bring together their almightiness and their normal sense of self. Talent and competence are prerequisites, confidence is the tipping point to actually make a move, to seize an opportunity. Imagine how much better things would be if fewer people were plagued by the confidence gap: what it is, why it happens, what it does, and some ways to combat it that we spoke about in this blog.

What Is the Confidence Gap?

The Confidence gap, as it’s commonly known, leads men and women to second-guess their capabilities, even when they possess the necessary skills and knowledge to excel. It’s a mental barrier that prevents people from assessing their worth and owning their power. This gap is particularly significant for women compared to men, and is often the result of abuse conditioning and misogynism. But that does not leave men immune, particularly in areas where they feel insecure or outside of their expertise.

That gap manifests itself in many different ways, whether that’s avoiding challenges, second guessing decisions or minimizing your impact in work and family settings.”

Causes of the Confidence Gap

Perfectionism

Perfectionism creates fear of failure. They become paralyzed by the fear of failure because people believe they need to produce perfect results to avoid being criticized, rejected (or even fired!)
Imposter Syndrome

The psychological construct is defined by a pervasive sense of not measuring up to others and an overwhelming fear of being revealed as a “fraud.” It’s a common contributor to the confidence gap, especially for high achievers.
Lack of Representation

Research revealed that you could teach and educate, but when it comes to the individuals in communities and their role models crossing the barriers and the challenges to achieve success, a sense of feeling limited or impossible success stands in the way of you and your community making the effort to succeed.
Negative Self-Talk

A trash talker within can rob self-confidence, bloating insecurities, and sucking air from strengths.
Cultural and Social Norms

Societal expectations often reinforce stereotypes that can impact confidence. For instance, women might be socialized to downplay their professional achievements, while men might feel pressured to act confident when that may not be how they feel.

The Effects of the Confidence Gap

It can stifle growth, our evolution as workers and perhaps even our mental health. Some common effects include:
Missed Opportunities — A person lacking the belief in him/herself to take opportunities can lead to a person saying no to promotions, avoiding positions of leadership, as well as new experiences.

Reduced Productivity: Questioning every aspect of your decision-making process can lead to paralysis by analysis, and inefficiency.

Underestimating Oneself: Prolonged feelings of inferiority can damage self-worth, creating a cycle of doubt and insecurity.

Mutated Relations: The insecure mind will not make good communication and leads to wrong assumptions in personal and work relations.

Mental Health Issues: Constant self-inflicted uncertainty results in anxiety, tension, and sometimes even depression.

Bridging the Confidence Gap


Closing the confidence gap requires intentional action, and changing the way we think. Here are some steps you can take to develop and sustain confidence:

Embrace a Growth Mindset

Recognize that skills and intelligence are developed by hard work and experience. View challenges not as threats to your competency, but as opportunities to develop your skills.

Consider a time when you overcame a challenge. Consider it a testament to your resilience and growth.

Stop Comparing Yourself to Other People

Practice what you can provide as an alternative to comparing it to another player on the field in the game. Every journey is different, and comparison just breeds self-doubt.

Celebrate Small Wins

Acknowledge and celebrate even small successes. It fortifies your self-awareness and motivates you to keep evolving.

Reframe Negative Self-Talk

In place of negative thoughts, say your affirmations. Instead of, “I’m not good enough,” tell yourself, “I am capable; I am learning every day.”

Journaling to help you track some of the challenging moments of self-doubt, then consciously reframe them.

Seek Constructive Feedback

Ask mentors, colleagues or friends that you trust to give you feedback about your performance Honest feedback schooled you, guiding you through the dark negative chatter that undermined your confidence.

Build Competence

Knowing that you can do it is where confidence mostly comes from. All this means is Surround Yourself By Supportive People

A positive support system can help uplift and keep you on the right path. Surround yourself with mentors, peers or communities that lift you up

Take Calculated Risks

The beginning of confidence is stepping out of your comfort zone — Take small risks, fail small and move on to bigger ones.

Practice Visualization

In a specific case situation just start thinking as you are winning. The visualization prepares your brain to associate new challenges with positive outcomes.

Be Patient With Yourself

Confidence is not something you before cobble together over time. Be kind to yourself, and accept that progress is rarely a straight path.

Inclusive Mindsets to Bridge the Confidence Gap

Sheryl Sandberg: Facebook COO, author of Lean In, Sandberg is also plagued by self-doubt. Her honesty about the confidence gap has emboldened many women to confront their own self doubt.

Barack Obama: The former American president has talked about the doubts he fought through to accomplish that early in his political career, and has since risen to greater heights. His story is a reminder to never give up on yourself and to keep going if you are able.

Final Thoughts

So the confidence gap is not an intractable problem; it’s a problem of awareness, effort and support, not a structural impediment that can’t be surmounted.” Imposter syndrome is evident in both men and women, and no one should downplay their feelings, particularly if they have dreams to pursue.
Remember, if you can, confidence isn’t the absence of fear or doubt, it is the willingness to proceed regardless. Start to do it step by step from today and see your life will change as your confidence increases.

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