Dr. Nate Zinsser, experienced in training cadets and coaching world-class athletes, discusses the importance of confidence and self-belief. They challenge assumptions about confidence and share practical tools for building it. They explore overcoming the fear of public speaking, changing attitudes towards women and confidence, being prepared in the theatre industry, and seizing opportunities. The podcast concludes with gratitude and promotions for skincare and climate crisis podcasts.
Confidence is a skill that can be developed and improved through practice and reflection.
Self-consciousness can hinder confidence, but practicing and gaining certainty can help overcome it.
Deep dives
Defining Confidence and its Importance
Confidence is a sense of certainty about one's abilities that allows for unconscious performance without distractions. It is not a fixed trait, but a skill that can be developed and improved. Many people assume that confidence is something you either have or don't have, but it can be cultivated through practice and reflection.
The Role of Self-Consciousness in Confidence
Self-consciousness often hinders confidence, as seen in public speaking where individuals become hyper-aware of their actions and thoughts. However, by practicing and gaining a sense of certainty in their speaking abilities, individuals can overcome self-consciousness and speak confidently regardless of the audience size.
The Influence of Cultural Messages on Confidence
Cultural messages can shape confidence, as women are often discouraged from assertiveness while men are encouraged to be confident. However, efforts are being made to encourage both genders to develop confident assertiveness while remaining respectful and inclusive. Confidence is an internal process, not necessarily linked to extroversion or introversion.
The Process of Building Confidence
Building confidence requires consistent effort and reflection. One practical tool to enhance confidence is a daily reflection exercise focused on effort, success, and progress (ESP). This exercise involves identifying episodes of quality effort, episodes of success, and areas of progress. By recognizing these moments, individuals can increase their confidence and cultivate a sense of certainty in their abilities.
Dr. Nate Zinsser has spent his career training the minds of the U.S. Military Academy’s cadets as they prepare to lead and perform when the stakes are the very highest—on the battlefield. Alongside this work, he has coached world-class athletes including a Super Bowl MVP, numerous Olympic medalists, professional ballerinas, NHL All-Stars, and college All-Americans, teaching them to overcome pressure and succeed on the biggest stages.
Dr. Zinsser has come to understand that one single trait above all others makes peak performance possible: confidence, or the belief in oneself. Whether your mission involves leading a platoon into combat, returning an opponent’s serve, or delivering a sales pitch to a roomful of skeptical prospects, you perform best when you are so certain about your abilities that your flow of fear, doubts, and confusion slows to the barest minimum. What’s more, Dr. Zinsser has come to understand that confidence is a skill that can be taught, improved, and applied by anyone to enhance nearly every aspect of our lives and careers.
You can buy Dr Zinsser’s book The Confident Mind: A Battle-Tested Guide to Unshakable Performance now.