Understanding Human Psychology

  As professionals, we often talk about qualities as if they are switches, like either on or off. One is confident or not, decisive or hesitant, strong or vulnerable. But I feel reality doesn’t work in binaries. I feel qualities exist on a continuum. Confidence, for instance, ranges from self-doubt on one end to arrogance on the other. Somewhere in the middle lies grounded and sound-minded confidence, like the one that listens, adapts, and still takes a stand when needed. Too little confidence can hold you back. Too much can shut others down. Haven’t we all experienced people who are holding themselves back in their professional career and are loosing out on opportunities to shine because of the lack of confidence. And similarly experienced people because of their over confidence, nearly arrogance, they can turn off their colleagues or push them into a shell. The same is true for vulnerability. At the right moment, vulnerability builds trust, deepens connection, and makes leaders...

  There’s a saying in Hindi: “Har Sher ko ek Sava Sher milta hai,” meaning every lion meets one who is stronger. This phrase has stuck with me because I’ve witnessed its truth in real-life situations. It reminds me of the fine line between confidence and overconfidence. Confidence gives you the courage to tackle challenges, but overconfidence blinds you to realities. I’ve seen overconfident individuals make quick, miscalculated judgments, leading to avoidable mistakes. They underestimated the situation, believing their approach was infallible. What I’ve learned is this: approach every situation with humility and level-headedness. Confidence should be rooted in awareness—of your strengths, yes, but also of the complexities and unknowns. Staying grounded doesn’t make you less capable; it makes you wiser. After all, even the strongest lion must respect the strength of another. So, lead with confidence, but let humility guide your steps.