729: The Hidden Cost of Low Confidence

"Confidence isn't a soft skill—it's a performance multiplier."   Our National Confidence Study revealed a quiet crisis at work: • Nearly 70% of employees battle a harsh inner critic • 62% feel like they're not enough • 63% constantly compare themselves to others   When confidence drops, people second-guess, hold back ideas, avoid responsibility—and 1 in 3 has quit a job because it hurt their confidence.   That's not personal. That's organizational.   Low confidence slows performance, stalls innovation, and quietly drives turnover.   On this episode of The High Performance Mindset, we break down what leaders can do—starting now.   Because confidence doesn't happen by accident. It's built on purpose.   To download our full study report, visit: confidencestudy.com To Request a Free Breakthrough Call with a Mentally Strong Coach, visit: http://www.freementalbreakthroughcall.com/ To learn more about the Mentally Strong Institute, visit: https://mentallystronginstitute.com/ To learn about Dr. Cindra Kamphoff's speaking and coaching, visit: https://cindrakamphoff.com/ To follow Dr. Cindra on Instagram, visit: Cindra Kamphoff, PhD (@cindrakamphoff) • Instagram photos and videos  

What if confidence, not pay, was the reason people stay at work?   In this episode, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff shares insights from the National Research Study on Confidence, revealing the 8 leadership behaviors that build belief, engagement, and performance.   One eye-opening stat: 63% of employees would take a lower-paying job to work for a leader who builds their confidence.   If you lead people, they need you to listen to this episode!   To download our full study report, visit: confidencestudy.com To Request a Free Breakthrough Call with a Mentally Strong Coach, visit: http://www.freementalbreakthroughcall.com/ To learn more about the Mentally Strong Institute, visit: https://mentallystronginstitute.com/ To learn about Dr. Cindra Kamphoff's speaking and coaching, visit: https://cindrakamphoff.com/ To follow Dr. Cindra on Instagram, visit: Cindra Kamphoff, PhD (@cindrakamphoff) • Instagram photos and videos  

In this episode of The High Performance Mindset, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff interviews Meg Myers Morgan, negotiation expert, executive coach, and author of Everything Is Negotiable, to explore why self-worth is the foundation of confidence, leadership, negotiation, and peak performance. Meg explains how our belief about what we're worth shapes what we ask for, what opportunities we pursue, and how we show up under pressure—long before we ever walk into a negotiation, performance moment, or leadership conversation. You'll learn why negotiation isn't about winning or convincing, but collaboration, clarity, and context—and how many people try to solve emotional needs (like feeling valued) with logistical asks (like money or titles). Meg also introduces her Three C's of self-worth—clarity, confidence, and navigating conflict—and explains why slowing down, regulating emotions, and deeply knowing yourself are essential skills for sustainable high performance. This episode will help you advocate for yourself more confidently, negotiate more effectively, and perform at your best by truly knowing your worth.   You'll Learn: Why self-worth is a foundation of high performance How your self-belief determines what you ask for and what you avoid The Three C's of self-worth: clarity, confidence, and conflict Why negotiation works best as collaboration, not confrontation How to stop solving emotional problems with logistical solutions The role of context when negotiating salary, roles, and boundaries Why slowing down and self-regulation improve performance How to ask for what you need with clarity and confidence   🔗 Episode Resources: Learn more about Dr. Meg Myers Morgan: https://www.megmyersmorgan.com/ Order Everything Is Negotiable: https://www.megmyersmorgan.com/books Download the Confidence Crisis Study: https://confidencestudy.com/Request a Free Mental Breakthrough Call: https://freementalbreakthroughcall.com/ Explore the Mentally Strong Institute: https://mentallystronginstitute.com/ Love the show? Rate and review the podcast—you might hear your name on a future episode!  

Confidence at work rarely disappears overnight. It erodes slowly through everyday leadership behaviors. In this episode, Cindra shares findings from her National Research Study on Confidence and introduces the 8 Confidence Killers. These are common leadership behaviors that quietly undermine employee confidence, motivation, and trust. You will learn what employees say damages confidence most, why these behaviors are often unintentional, and why confidence is directly tied to performance, engagement, retention, and revenue. You will also hear one statistic that changes how leaders think about confidence at work and a simple action you can take today to become a more intentional confidence builder. Because every interaction either builds confidence or breaks it. Quote of the Week: "Confidence isn't lost in one big moment—it's eroded by small leadership behaviors repeated over time." Power Phrase of the Week: "Every interaction either builds confidence—or breaks it."   To download our full study report, visit: confidencestudy.com To Request a Free Breakthrough Call with a Mentally Strong Coach, visit: http://www.freementalbreakthroughcall.com/ To learn more about the Mentally Strong Institute, visit: https://mentallystronginstitute.com/ To learn about Dr. Cindra Kamphoff's speaking and coaching, visit: https://cindrakamphoff.com/ To follow Dr. Cindra on Instagram, visit: Cindra Kamphoff, PhD (@cindrakamphoff) • Instagram photos and videos

In this episode of The High Performance Mindset, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff sits down with Will Bowen—founder of the global Complaint Free® movement—to explore how habitual complaining quietly erodes confidence, performance, leadership, and culture. Will shares the origin story behind the now-iconic purple bracelet and how a simple 21-day challenge became a worldwide movement impacting millions. Together, they unpack why complaining feels so automatic—even for high performers—and how awareness is the first step toward real behavior change. The conversation dives deep into the psychology of complaining, including Will's five types of complaints and his powerful GRIPE framework, revealing the hidden motives behind why people complain and the true cost it creates for teams and organizations. Will also explains the critical difference between constructive problem-solving and unproductive complaining—and how leaders can model accountability without suppressing honest feedback. This episode is a masterclass in personal ownership, confidence, and intentional response, showing how reducing complaints doesn't mean ignoring problems—it means choosing responsibility, agency, and growth.     You'll Learn: Why habitual complaining undermines confidence, mindset, and performance The five types of complaints and how to recognize them in yourself and others How the simple act of awareness (like the bracelet) accelerates behavior change The GRIPE framework and the real reasons people complain How leaders can address feedback without creating a culture of blame The difference between problem-solving and complaining—and why it matters How becoming complaint-free strengthens confidence, ownership, and agency     🔗 Episode Resources: Learn more about Will Bowen and the Complaint Free movement: www.WillBowen.com Download the 2025 Confidence Crisis Study: https://confidencestudy.com/ Request a Free Mental Breakthrough Call: https://freementalbreakthroughcall.com Learn more about the Mentally Strong Institute: https://mentallystronginstitute.com/ Love the show? Rate and review the podcast—and you might hear your name on the next episode!  

Quote to start with: "Confidence isn't something kids are born with—it's something they build."   Gen Z is at the center of a growing confidence crisis. In this episode, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff breaks down new findings from the 2025 National Research Study on Confidence and shares what actually helps kids and young adults build real confidence.   What you will learn today from this episode: Why nearly half of Gen Z regularly feels "not enough" How social media fuels comparison and self-doubt Why confidence is a skill—and how to train it The 8 science-backed habits elite performers use to build belief Big takeaway: Confidence doesn't come with age—it comes from habits.   Power Phrase: "I build confidence one habit at a time—through effort, support, and belief."   To download our full study report, visit: confidencestudy.com To Request a Free Breakthrough Call with a Mentally Strong Coach, visit: http://www.freementalbreakthroughcall.com/ To learn more about the Mentally Strong Institute, visit: https://mentallystronginstitute.com/ To learn about Dr. Cindra Kamphoff's speaking and coaching, visit: https://cindrakamphoff.com/ To follow Dr. Cindra on Instagram, visit: Cindra Kamphoff, PhD (@cindrakamphoff) • Instagram photos and videos

In this episode of The High Performance Mindset, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff sits down with Olympic gold medalist Connor Fields to unpack the mental journey behind elite performance, resilience, and reinvention. Connor shares how he learned competing at a young age, and how his mindset evolved across three Olympic cycles—from disappointment in 2012 to standing on top of the podium in Rio in 2016. He opens up about the mental tools he relied on under extreme pressure, how he learned to reframe failure, and the self-awareness required to perform at your best when the stakes are highest. The conversation also dives into Connor's recovery and growth following his devastating crash at the 2021 Olympics, including how he uses his "Now What?" framework to turn setbacks into momentum—both in sport and in life. Now a speaker and coach, Connor shares practical insights for leaders, athletes, and high performers on building resilience, managing pressure, and training the mind even when physical preparation is already elite. You'll learn: How confidence and mindset evolve across different stages of a career What separates surviving pressure from performing under pressure Why self-awareness is a cornerstone of resilience and peak performance How to turn disappointment, failure, and setbacks into powerful comebacks One mindset habit every leader should adopt—on and off the field This episode is a masterclass in confidence, resilience, and choosing your response when life doesn't go as planned.     HIGH PERFORMANCE MINDSET SHOWNOTES FOR THIS EPISODE 🔹 Register for the Upcoming Mentally Strong Conference: Mentally Strong Conference – January 9, 2026 | Virtual Event 🔹 Learn more about Connor Fields: Connor Fields | Olympic BMX Champion and Motivational Speaker 🔹 Download the 2025 Confidence Crisis Study at https://confidencestudy.com/🔹 Request a Free Mental Breakthrough Call with Dr. Cindra and/or her team at freementalbreakthroughcall.com 🔹 Learn more about the Mentally Strong Institute at https://mentallystronginstitute.com/  Love the show? Rate and review the podcast—and you might hear your name on the next episode!

In this episode, we explore a counterintuitive finding from the 2025 National Confidence Study: the pressure to constantly improve may be eroding confidence rather than building it. We unpack the data behind comparison, confidence fatigue, and the growing belief of "not enough," including why this mindset is especially heavy at the start of a new year. You'll hear how performance psychology explains the link between pressure and insecurity, why mastery builds confidence more effectively than endless goals, and how the Learn–Burn–Return™ framework helps you move forward without abandoning who you already are. We close with a grounded reflection question and a confidence-building power phrase to help you start the year with clarity, not comparison. Power Phrase: "I build confidence by honoring who I am and not by chasing who I think I should be." Quote of the Week: "Rest is not falling behind. Reflection is not stagnation. Trusting your current path is not complacency." - Cindra Kamphoff   To view the Oprah Daily article, go here: https://www.oprahdaily.com/life/wholeness/a69822509/learn-burn-return-reset/ To download our full study report, visit: confidencestudy.com To Request a Free Breakthrough Call with a Mentally Strong Coach, visit: http://www.freementalbreakthroughcall.com/ To learn more about the Mentally Strong Institute, visit: https://mentallystronginstitute.com/ To learn about Dr. Cindra Kamphoff's speaking and coaching, visit: https://cindrakamphoff.com/ To follow Dr. Cindra on Instagram, visit: Cindra Kamphoff, PhD (@cindrakamphoff) • Instagram photos and videos

What if confidence, not talent, was the real driver of performance?   In this episode of The High Performance Mindset, we reveal why confidence is a business strategy, not a soft skill. Our national research shows 81% of workers are drawn to organizations that prioritize confidence and when confidence is low, productivity, culture, and retention suffer.   If you are a leader, this matters.   👉Press play to learn how confidence impacts your bottom line.   Power Phrase of the Week: "I treat confidence as a strategy, not a soft skill."   Quote of the Week: "People do their best when they believe they can." — Albert Bandura   To download our full study report, visit: confidencestudy.com To  Request a Free Breakthrough Call with a Mentally Strong Coach, visit: http://www.freementalbreakthroughcall.com/ To learn more about the Mentally Strong Institute, visit: https://mentallystronginstitute.com/ To learn about Dr. Cindra Kamphoff's speaking and coaching, visit: https://cindrakamphoff.com/ To follow Dr. Cindra on Instagram, visit: Cindra Kamphoff, PhD (@cindrakamphoff) • Instagram photos and videos

Today on the High Performance Mindset, I'm talking with someone who is truly changing the way we think about work and wellbeing. Jen Fisher is a global leader in this space — and honestly, she's just one of those people who makes you feel seen and grounded the moment she starts talking. Jen was Deloitte's first-ever Chief Well-Being Officer, which basically means she helped a massive organization rethink what it really means to support people. Her passion comes from her own journey through burnout and cancer, and she's used those experiences to build a career focused on helping leaders create work cultures where people can actually flourish, not just survive. She's the bestselling author of Work Better Together, the host of The WorkWell Podcast, a TEDx speaker, and the founder of The Wellbeing Team. But what I love most is her belief that hope isn't just a feeling… it's a strategy. And she helps leaders put that strategy into action. In this conversation, Jen and I dive into burnout, the future of work, wellbeing intelligence, and what it really takes to create organizations where people feel energized and valued. You're going to walk away feeling inspired — and maybe rethinking a thing or two about how you work and lead. HIGH PERFORMANCE MINDSET SHOWNOTES FOR THIS EPISODE 🔹 Learn more about Jen Fisher and Hope is the Strategy: Workplace Wellbeing Expert | Jen Fisher 🔹 Pre-order Jen Fisher's book:  Amazon.com: Hope Is the Strategy: The Underrated Skill That Transforms Work, Leadership, and Wellbeing: 9781394362974: Fisher, Jen: Books 🔹 Download the 2025 Confidence Crisis Study at https://confidencestudy.com/🔹 Request a Free Mental Breakthrough Call with Dr. Cindra and/or her team at freementalbreakthroughcall.com 🔹 Learn more about the Mentally Strong Institute at https://mentallystronginstitute.com/  Love the show? Rate and review the podcast—and you might hear your name on the next episode!