On Confidence

Colorado’s record is 4-5 overall and their conference record is even worse but that hasn’t stopped their coach, Deion Sanders, from hosting a masterclass in confidence. The Wall Street Journal article by Callum Borchers is worth a read.

Here are the notes I jotted down after reading it:

• A belief that you’re capable of greatness through hard work.

• Set high expectations to the point where people say “you’re crazy.”

• Many leaders struggle with employees’ loss of ambition.

• Sanders is a benevolent alpha, a leader who earns subordinates’ trust by showing he cares while holding them to his own high standard.

• The key is to be upbeat but realistic – and assertive in a way that spreads confidence to others.

• Your team needs to borrow from your certainty in uncertain times.

Two quick questions for you:

1. On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your employees’ ambition?
2. On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your expectations?

I’ve rarely seen these two metrics move (in the long run) in any other way than parallel / tandem. If your expectations are low, you get low performance and vice versa.

Two book recommendations:

Trust and Inspire: How Truly Great Leaders Unleash Greatness in Others

Mindset How You Can Fulfill Your Potential