In the course of my career I’ve encountered many professionals who struggle with self-doubt. Peers, direct reports, mentees, friends in other fields. Over time I noticed that the brighter and more talented the individual, the more that individual doubted him or herself. Initially I simply added this to my running list of life’s ironies, but then I began to think about what made these individuals talented in the first place. In most cases it wasn’t a manifestation of genius or “natural ability” that set them apart. Rather, what made them talented was the same thing that caused them to chew their fingernails and struggle through sleepless nights: Self-doubt.
If you struggle with self-doubt, congratulations: You possess a quality that, if wielded properly, will help you be incredibly confident. Sound crazy? Read on.
Let’s start with some working definitions:
Bravado - asserting a position with conviction without having conducted a thorough analysis.
