The neuroscience of confidence and how to build it
In this conversation, Professor Ian Robertson discusses the importance of confidence and how it can be developed. He explains that confidence is the belief that one can take action towards creating a desired outcome, and it has profound effects on the brain and behavior. Ian Robertson emphasizes the role of goal setting, mental rehearsal, and reframing anxiety as excitement in building confidence. He also explores the gender differences in confidence and the relationship between confidence and power. He highlights the significance of collective confidence and the role of values in binding people together.
Professor Ian Robertson is Co-Director of the Global Brain Health Institute at Trinity College Dublin. He is a trained clinical psychologist as well as a neuroscientist and is internationally renowned for his research on neuropsychology. He has written five books, his latest: "How Confidence Works. The new science of self-belief", and has published in newspapers and magazines including the Guardian, Times, Telegraph, Time magazine and New York magazine.
Find out more about Prof Ian Robertson on https://ianrobertson.org, https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-robertson-4480502/, and https://twitter.com/ihrobertson.
Find out more on https://politicwise.org, on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/politicwise/ and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-daniel-matteo/.
Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Background 05:12 The Importance of Confidence 09:03 The Relationship Between Competence and Confidence 13:26 The Role of Belief and Action in Confidence 19:05 Building Confidence through Goal Setting and Mental Rehearsal 25:06 Reframing Anxiety as Excitement 26:05 Taking Action and Stretching Comfort Zones 31:25 Gender Differences in Confidence 38:42 The Relationship Between Confidence and Power 44:28 Collective Confidence and the Importance of Values 51:56 Practical Exercises for Building Confidence 52:18 Final Thoughts on Confidence and Mortality
Ian Robertson - How Confidence Works