Can faking confidence lead to success?

Faking confidence can indeed lead to success, according to various experts.

1. Rachel Blumenthal emphasizes the "fake it till you make it" approach. She acknowledges the prevalence of imposter syndrome among successful individuals and suggests that projecting confidence, whether genuine or not, helps achieve things previously thought impossible 1.

2. Ian Robertson discusses the benefits of acting confident despite internal anxiety. He argues that faking confidence through behaviors like speaking clearly and standing tall can eventually lead to genuine confidence as these actions become habitual 2.

3. Chase Hughes contends that there is no real distinction between faking confidence and being confident, as others will perceive and respond to the displayed confidence. He suggests replacing "fake it till you make it" with the concept of giving oneself permission to be confident 3.

   Confidence and Success

   Harry Stebbings

   Rachel Blumenthal

   Rachel shares her motto of "fake it till you make it," highlighting how imposter syndrome affects everyone, and the importance of projecting confidence even when feeling unsure. Confidence, whether real or faked, is key to achieving the seemingly impossible.

   

   20VC

   20VC: Why Fundraising Is Like Dating and How to Play The Game Successfully & How To Increase The Flexibility of Your Burn When Growth is Ambiguous with Rachel Blumenthal, Founder & CEO @ Rockets of Awesome

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4. David DeSteno notes that projecting confidence can attract others and motivate oneself. While slight overestimation of one's abilities is generally acceptable, excessive confidence without backed competence can lead to negative perceptions and failure 4.

5. Helen Thomson references the idea of power poses. Despite some mixed evidence, adopting confident body language can positively influence how one is perceived and improve interview outcomes 5.

Thus, faking confidence can be a useful strategy to achieve success, provided it is balanced and eventually grounded in real competence and self-belief.