Leadership Paradox #9: Confidence vs Doubt
- Ralph Cochrane
- Aug 19
- 1 min read
Confidence grows when doubt is welcome.Great leaders trust—and question—themselves.
Confidence is essential in leadership. Your team needs to feel your steady hand on the wheel. But unchecked confidence? That’s just ego in disguise.
The best leaders make room for healthy doubt. They question their assumptions.They pressure-test their ideas. They invite challenge—not because they’re unsure, but because they’re wise enough to know they might be wrong.
Doubt doesn’t mean indecision. It means you’re still learning. Still curious. Still evolving.
The paradox? Confidence without doubt is arrogance. Doubt without confidence is paralysis. The sweet spot is holding both—at the same time.
When you lead with conviction and humility, your decisions get sharper. Your relationships get stronger. And your leadership becomes more human.
Where have you seen doubt sharpen your confidence?
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