Three Levels of Confidence

Confidence can be understood through three distinct levels that shape how we perceive ourselves and present ourselves to the world. The first level is surface confidence, which pertains to how body language, speech patterns, and overall demeanor can create an outward illusion of confidence. The second level, identity confidence, is foundational and consists of the skills, relationships, and experiences that underpin a person’s self-assurance. This level emphasizes the importance of diversifying the sources of identity confidence to avoid an overwhelming reliance on specific achievements or roles, which can lead to crises if those facets are ever compromised.