There is a widely held perception (or misperception), that confidence directly correlates to Introversion and Extraversion. More specifically, that Extraverts are highly confident and Introverts lack confidence. At first glance, the data seems to show that the assumption holds true; however, there are famous examples of highly-successful Introverts, like Mark Zuckerberg, who exude quiet and highly genuine confidence. Obviously, there are more personality traits involved in the influence of confidence.
To explore the relationship between genuine confidence and personality type, we asked our community to agree or disagree with the statement, “You have genuine confidence in your abilities.”
The data gathered supports the relationship between the Mind aspect and confidence, but it also uncovers the trait with the strongest influence on people’s sense of genuine confidence: Identity.
Other aspects had a clear effect on respondents’ sense of confidence in their own abilities as well, and we explore them below:
Roles
Analysts and Sentinels (80% and 79% agreeing)
Analysts are rational thinkers who believe in looking at situations objectively; emotions and opinions are rarely factored into their decision-making strategy. Architects (INTJ) (75%) and Commanders (ENTJ) (94%) both rate high in confidence because of their combined Thinking and Judging traits. They know their decisions are based on knowledge, facts, consideration, and rationality, leaving little room for doubt. When they need reassurance, Analysts are more likely to review their strategy critically rather than turn to a friend or partner for support.
Similarly, Sentinels are in part defined by their Judging trait (the Observant and Intuitive traits had little influence in this survey), which leads them to take clear, decisive actions. Both Logisticians (ISTJ) (74%) and Executives (ESTJ) (92%), much like their Analyst counterparts, are thorough and organized in their approach to decision-making – they never act without a well-defined plan. For Sentinels, confidence comes from the knowledge that they are making choices based on rules, organization, and well-understood methods. Sentinels with the Feeling trait reported less confidence in their abilities, but so did Analysts with the Prospecting trait, keeping these two Roles’ averages almost identical.
Diplomats (70%) and Explorers (69%)
There was a wide variance of confidence ratings among the personality types within the Diplomat and Explorer Roles, but the averages between the two Roles struck a balance. On the high end are the Entrepreneurs (ESTP) (87%) and Protagonists (ENFJ) (86%); on the lower end are the Mediators (INFP) (54%) and Adventurers (ISFP) (51%). Diplomats, whose sense of empathy factors in the emotional experience of others in their decision-making, are vulnerable to second-guessing and self-doubt because of that broader perspective. Knowing that there are so many views, how can they say definitively that theirs is the only correct one? Explorers’ shared Prospecting trait leaves them highly open to suggestion. These personality types’ decisions are often improvised and dependent upon the whim of the situation and the people involved.
Like the pairing of Analysts and Sentinels, these Roles balance their averages with differences in their Nature and Tactics aspects. For every Diplomat whose Prospecting trait compounds their reported lack of confidence, there is a Diplomat whose Judging trait balances it. For every Explorer whose Feeling trait leads to less agreement with the statement, there is an Explorer whose Thinking trait brings the average back in line. As evidenced by the highly confident Assertive Protagonists (ENFJ-A) (94%) though, whose agreement rivals even the boldest Analysts, Nature and Tactics aren’t the only aspects with a powerful influence. The majority comes from the Strategies.
Strategies
People Mastery and Confident Individualism (94% and 86% agreeing)
Assertive Debaters (ENTP-A), Executives (ESTJ-A), and Entrepreneurs (ESTP-A) (all 95%), and Assertive Commanders (ENTJ-A) (98%) are the personality types reporting the highest confidence in their own abilities. The interaction of Extraversion with the Assertive trait makes them by definition more outgoing and self-assured than average. The four types above all share the Thinking trait as well. Combined with their People Mastery Strategy, the result is a group of personality types unlikely to be personally affected by the opinions of others, and therefore unlikely to lose confidence in considering that they are wrong.
Similarly, Assertive Defenders (ISFJ-A) (88%), Advocates (INFJ-A) (88%), Logisticians (ISTJ-A) (90%), and Architects (INTJ-A) (91%), all with the Confident Individualism Strategy and all sharing the Judging trait, are among the types agreeing most with the statement. Their confidence isn’t dependent on their social status, with their self-assured Identities instead drawing strength from their natural independence. They value themselves on their own efforts, intentions, and merits. Their confidence is a product of their fidelity to themselves and is reinforced by sound decisions and, in all likelihood, consistent success on the metrics they decide to measure.
Social Engagement (77%)
Turbulent Commanders (ENTJ-T) (91%) and Executives (ESTJ-T) (86%) don’t rate themselves significantly less confident than their Assertive cohorts, but Turbulent Entertainers (ESFP-T) (62%) certainly do. Commanders and Executives balance their Turbulent Identities with their Thinking and Judging traits, helping these personality types to develop high levels of confidence. Turbulent Entertainers, with their Feeling and Prospecting traits, can’t rely on that same detachment – they are tremendously sensitive to the moods and opinions of others, and their highly social lifestyles give them many other moods and opinions to experience, even if they are positive most of the time.
Constant Improvement (51%)
Turbulent Adventurers (ISFP-T) (37%) and Mediators (INFP-T) (47%) rated themselves lowest in confidence. Constant Improvers, as the name suggests, are always striving for perfection – and refusing to recognize its unattainability. The stress they feel in the face of their (usually misperceived) inadequacy is very real. They may maintain unrealistic ideas of success, exaggerated perceptions of criticism from others, and pronounced self-consciousness, all of which increase the difficulty of interacting with the peers and social situations that would show them that the world really isn’t judging them that hard.
Constant Improvers don’t always see this lack of confidence as a bad thing, though. While some are held back by their insecurities, many use those feelings to strive to do better. Far from feeling bad about themselves, these personality types may wonder how someone full of brazen arrogance can possibly keep from crashing and burning.
Conclusion
In asking our respondents to agree or disagree with the statement, “You have genuine confidence in your abilities,” we found that the Mind and Identity aspects of personality had the greatest influence. But that’s not the whole story: these aspects’ influence is moderated or exacerbated by the combination of the Nature and Tactics aspects of personality.
Confidence itself is both a product of and a factor in decision-making. Objective and organized decisions, whether rooted in rational analysis or proven emotion, lead to more assurance than those based on more fluid factors like the mood of the moment or intangible theories. Successful decision-making leads to the achievement of goals, further increasing confidence. How one evaluates themselves and the standards to which they strive determines one’s ability to feel confident. Overly critical self-evaluation increases self-consciousness, and perfectionistic standards often lead to disappointment. Neither promote genuine confidence, though they can lead to greater outcomes.
How do you find your confidence? Do you use those feelings to perform, or do you just wonder why everyone seems to be so uptight about everything? Let us know in the comments below!