Why Less Confidence Could Make You More Successful

Libby Kane

Confidence is supposed to be the key to just about everything.

The first date. Waterskiing. Lying (not that we would know). If you’re confident, they say, you’re already halfway there.

And nowhere is the allure of confidence more pervasive than in the workplace. Whether asking for a raise, giving a presentation or just rounding up co-workers for happy hour, we’re repeatedly told that being confident will make our career successful.

Until now. Research published by Dr. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic in The Harvard Business Review argues that confidence isn’t the key to career success … though lack of confidence might be.

Why Low Self-Confidence Is a Good Thing


His reasons are as follows:

1. Self-Criticism

“To be the very best at anything, you will need to be your harshest critic,” writes Dr. Chamorro-Premuzic, “and that is almost impossible when your starting point is high self-confidence.”  He finds that people with low self-confidence don’t have an “optimistic bias,” which would condition them to focus on positive feedback and ignore the negative. Therefore, they’re more likely to take constructive criticism to heart and, being very aware of their flaws, fix them. In some ways, that’s similar to the bias we found when we discussed how pessimism can actually help your finances.

2. Motivation

Dr. Chamorro-Premuzic makes this distinction: Low self-confidence is detrimental to achieving your goals if you aren’t that motivated to begin with. But if you are willing to put in the work, he says, low self-confidence will make you work that much harder, because you think you have a long way to go before you get there.

3. Modesty

Modesty has nothing to do with what you wear and everything to do with how people perceive you. “Lower self-confidence reduces the chances of coming across as arrogant,” writes Dr. Chamorro-Premuzic. He explains that less-confident people are more likely to admit their mistakes and less likely to take credit for other’s accomplishments. Now, doesn’t that sounds like someone you would want to promote?

So What Does This Mean for You?


Here are some takeaways we’ll incorporate into our own lives based on Dr. Chamorro-Premuzic’s findings:

Take Constructive Criticism Seriously

Criticism: “You’re driving me crazy.” Constructive criticism: “You’re driving me crazy because you refuse to label the files you keep dropping on my desk.” Know the difference so you don’t take unconstructive criticism too much to heart, and then take what feedback you can from the constructive kind. Your co-workers will appreciate that you’re not only listening, but doing your best to improve.

What You Can Do: Next time someone criticizes you, write down the comment, disregarding any mean language, and put it aside. Look at the critique again in a few days with fresh, uninjured eyes, ignoring the venomous parts and looking for any kernels of truth. If there’s anything you should learn for the future, use the information accordingly, and if not, let it go.

Make the Effort

Dr. Chamorro-Premuzic says that low self-confidence only impedes your progress toward a goal if you don’t want that goal badly enough. The lesson? Recognize how far away you are from your goal and be prepared to bridge that distance. If you want it–whether “it” is a promotion, new project or desk near the window–accept from the outset that you’ll have to work hard.

What You Can Do: Break your goal into smaller steps. For instance, manageable steps in “get a promotion” could be something like:

  1. Write down all the contributions I’ve made to my employer
  2. Research positions and salaries in similar organizations
  4. Schedule a meeting
  5. Get a great night’s sleep the evening before!

Recognize the Contributions of Others

Even if you’re not actively taking credit for someone else’s work, everyone always appreciates being recognized for his or her achievements. Remember, putting down others (or simply declining to mention the role they’ve played in helping you) doesn’t make anyone look good, in the workplace or elsewhere. If anything, giving credit where it’s due will make you look good … as a team player.


  • guest

    Now finally the normal human values are reaching the corporate world… Yahoo!

  • Amypeloso

    I think the title of the article does a great job at luring in the reader.  However, I think it’s less about having low self-confidence and more about being confident while maintaining a humble and gracious attitude.  Confidence should not be confused with arrogance!

    • CintCint

      That is exactly what I was thinking! There’s a confusion between a confident person and an arrogant one …

  • Linda

    All of your articles are timely and very worth-while reading. Thank you for doing such a great service to us all!

  • Amanda Veinott

    I think this is a good article and I like the comments that are going around regarding the difference between confidence and arrogance.  If you read the book “From Good To Great” the number one characteristic of leaders that take companies from Good to Great is humility.  You can be a confident person and exercise humility.  I think this takes a healthy does of emotional intelligence, which I find a lot of highly confident leaders seem to lack these days making them targets for the public to call them arrogant.

  • Nashvillegirl12

    While I can appreciate the basic premise, I’d like to know whether the research controlled for gender. I’m fairly certain that the whole “confidence in the workplace” argument is aimed at women…even if a man was described as “arrogant,” that label would be preceded by “successful and ____” or “he’s arrogant, but gets the job done.” Women have to fight against an entirely different set of standards, and I’d hesitate to say “Play the meek card to get ahead in the workplace,” especially with the pervasive glass ceiling. 

    It also sounds less about confidence and more about communication, self-regulation, and self-reflection: learn how to dish and take constructive criticism, keep charged words out of workplace language, review your own limitations and discuss them with a trusted colleague or friend. 

  • CRbirdie

    There is a difference between confidence and arrogance.  I am confidant that I do my job well; however, I am not so arrogant as to think that I cannot improve, that I am infaliable, or that there may be a better way to do things.  I think this article confuses the two…

  • Maryann Martell

    I couldn’t disagree with this article more.  I’ve been working for over 2 years with a person who has extremely low self confidence.  She cannot make even the simplest decisions. She has not made any changes in her work style, yet she agrees she needs to improve.  She actually says outloud “I’m so nervous!” I’ve tried to be positive and encouraging, however, I can only take so much.  At this point, her co-workers do not take her seriously.

  • nayp

    Let me disagree  !Confidence should not be confused with arrogance!