Confidence Isn’t Competence
The person who sounds smart doesn’t always know the most.
Confidence is performance. Competence is capacity.
Signals Mistaken for Competence
- Speaking quickly.
- Expressing opinions with certainty.
- Promoting accomplishments.
These behaviors aren’t bad. Mistaking them for competence is.
Confidence isn’t Competence
Confidence is obvious. Competence is demonstrated over time.
Don’t mistake polish for potential. Certainty isn’t necessarily skill.
The person who says, “I know what to do,” gets noticed. The person who asks, “What are we missing?” gets overlooked.
When teams believe confidence is competence…
- Loud voices outweigh informed voices.
- Self-promoters advance.
- Humility is interpreted as weakness.
- Reflective people are labeled indecisive.
- Appearance overshadows capability.
Confidence gets attention. Competence creates value.
Competent People
- Produce results.
- Learn from mistakes.
- Exercise sound judgment.
Competent people pause when they see complexity. They ask questions. They say, “I don’t know.”
Accuracy matters more than appearance. Hesitation may reflect judgment, not weakness.
Questions that Reveal Competence
- Who consistently does useful work?
- Whose judgment do people seek when problems get complicated?
- Who is learning?
- Whose confidence is supported by results?
Confident incompetence is dangerous. Quiet competence can be overlooked.
Confidence isn’t the problem. Using confidence as proof of competence is the problem.
How can leaders embrace the idea that confidence isn’t competence?
How can you use the idea that confidence isn’t competence?
7 Universal Competencies for Success in Any Role – Leadership Freak
Read the book: Our Best Work.
Hi Dan,
You’re right! There is a human tendency to conflate beauty with virtue and this example of another charisma is in the same basket. it’s a funny meme in movies, and in real life there is a bit of truth that confidence begets trying which begets success and failure, which begets learning and growing. confidence in some is a competency accelerator In business, feel part of the role is to notice the quiet performers. If they are in the ‘please for heaven’s sake don’t notice me too loudly’ camp, there are more low-key ways to encourage those solid, quiet, go-to performers who keep businessess running and could probably teach swashbuckley types a thing or two
Hi Cate, Love this progression. It’s so clear. “…there is a bit of truth that confidence begets trying which begets success and failure, which begets learning and growing.”
I appreciate your insights. Find “low-key” ways to encourage quiet go-to performers.
“fake it ’til you make it” wouldn’t be a saying if people could easily distinguish between confidence and competence.
I guess if the majority of people will fall for it, then I guess it can be a viable tactic for success.
What are your thoughts about any difference between the confidence that gets attention and confidence due to high competence?
I feel that confidence due to competence also falls in the non-attention getting category.
Could the confidence you mention (that gets attention) be related to those who display it, wanting to seek attention?
Thanks for exploring this, Nik. The difference is the track record. I love working with confident competent people. There is a place to act confident when you aren’t, but only when standing on a platform of successes in related areas. What do you think?
I love this! I applied for a supervisor position and they would tell me to have my confidence shine, but I am not one to toot my own horn. If you need to see results, projects completed and not an attention seeker, then I am your person. They over look people like me because my voice is not loud like others who are faker then fake. UGH! Thank you for this, I have shared it to my peeps who this speaks their language.
Thanks Nan. What many people forget is the quiet folk are dedicated and resilient and thoughtful about choices. Cheers