Confidence

Confidence is an oft-considered "virtue" that is unique in that its effect (positive or negative) depends on its direction and magnitude. This contrasts with actual virtues which follow "the more, the better." Specifically, confidence and unconfidence are borne from lack of knowledge - this lack of certainty creates a gap, which is then mentally filled; its direction (bias) is based on temperament. The direction and magnitude create various forms of confidence and unconfidence, which directly influence action or non-action.

Despite confidence being a type of bias (toward self or others), and normally biases are seen negatively, confidence is a strange exception that exhibits cognitive dissonance.

It is also confusing in that there are many kinds of confidence - and so the term causes much confusion when saying things like "confidence is the most important attribute for a leader!" What does that even mean?

Actually, "confidence" is a confusing word, because it is a "word of convenience" that uses one word to encompass many different meanings, both positive and negative.

For example, we can use different names for different kinds of "confidence" by degree, e.g.:

• Self-Doubt (very low)
• Diffidence (low)
• Equanimity (neither low nor high)
• Confidence (high)
• Arrogance (very high)
• Narcissism (pathologically high)
• Hubris (extremely pathologically high)

Certainly we would not want a leader who has self-doubt, but on the other hand would we want a leader with narcissism, either?

We can name different types of confidence by aspect, e.g.:

• Vanity (confidence in one's physical appearance)
• Snobbery (confidence in one's economic class)
• Elitism (confidence in one's social group identity)

We can also name different kinds of confidence by target, e.g.:

• Self confidence (confidence in one's own abilities)
• Self esteem (confidence in one's own integrity)
• Belief in others (confidence in another's abilities)
• Trust in others (confidence in another's integrity)

For example, we may see a leader who appears confident in his own abilities, but looks down on others' abilities. What sort of effects might this have on his team?

We can also name types of confidence by the internal mechanisms, e.g.:

• Belief in self (appearance of confidence reflecting true self-belief, such as due to experience)
• Bluster (appearance of confidence hiding deep self-doubt, such as due to sensitivity to expectations)

Generally, confidence is antagonistic to humility (another term that can have multiple meanings). As a bias, confidence obstructs objectivity. Equanimity, or the lack of confidence and unconfidence, allows one to be free of this bias, and thus listen to new information and to appraise situations objectively. Confidence biases one towards oneself; lack of confidence biases one against oneself. Neither confidence nor lack of confidence aid us; both are hindrances that restrict our objectivity.

The other effect of confidence or lack of confidence is to affect performance or the perception thereof. This is of course what most people are interested in, but we need to keep in mind the potential negatives as well, and adjust to reap the benefits and not the traps.