Amy Cuddy, a social psychologist from Harvard Business School, wrote about how "faking it until you make it" is an effective strategy for achieving success in her book "Presence". She argued that people who act confidently in a professional setting will be perceived as more competent and trustworthy than those who don't.
This idea has been criticised by some scholars who believe that it puts too much emphasis on appearance rather than actual ability. This essay will explore how this myth affects internalized pressure to perform and why it can be harmful.
One of the most important aspects of confidence is authenticity. When we pretend to be someone else, we lose touch with our true selves and may even come across as insincere or fake. This can lead to feelings of shame and self-doubt which undermine our performance. It also prevents us from developing real relationships based on mutual respect and honesty. Acting like someone else can be exhausting and eventually leads to burnout, making it impossible to maintain high levels of performance over time.
Cuddy argues that if we want to succeed, we should embrace the persona of a confident person by adopting their posture and facial expressions. But research suggests that this approach is not always effective and can even backfire. A study published in Psychological Science found that participants who were instructed to stand in a powerful pose before giving a speech performed worse than those who didn't try any tricks. The researchers concluded that trying too hard to appear confident can actually lower performance.
Cuddy's advice doesn't take into account individual differences or personal circumstances. People have different communication styles and levels of comfort with social situations. Some people are naturally more extroverted while others prefer to observe before engaging. Forcing yourself to act confidently when you don't feel comfortable can be counterproductive and leave you feeling worse about yourself.
There is no substitute for genuine confidence. We need to understand ourselves and our abilities so that we can communicate them effectively without pretending to be someone else. By focusing on authenticity and avoiding unrealistic expectations, we can reduce internalized pressure to perform and improve our overall well-being.
How does the myth of “effortless confidence†online shape internalized pressure to perform?
The belief that one must be self-assured, confident, poised, and composed is widespread in various forms of media, including social media platforms. This idealized notion can put undue pressure on individuals who might feel they are not living up to it. The constant stream of images and videos portraying people appearing effortlessly confident could lead to a sense of isolation for those who may lack the same level of assurance.