The Confidence Crisis in the American Workforce
A National Study Revealing What’s Really Undermining Workplace Performance, and How Leaders Can Fix It.
Groundbreaking research reveals why confidence is the missing ingredient for your team's success
Are you leading a team with all the right skills but still not seeing breakthrough results? Do your high-achieving employees hesitate to take initiative despite their qualifications?
Our national research study reveals the hidden factor holding your organization back: there's a confidence crisis in today's workplace.
At the Mentally Strong Institute, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff has uncovered what’s really preventing your team from reaching their full potential. Our groundbreaking research reveals that 86% of working Americans believe increasing their confidence would significantly improve their work performance.
Confidence Is Eroding Across Organizations
Leaders today are navigating a new wave of challenges with their teams.
Many team members are second-guessing decisions even when they have the right expertise, withholding innovative ideas when they’re needed most, and struggling to adapt to rapid changes in the workplace.
Some hesitate to step into leadership roles, while others grapple with imposter syndrome despite clear accomplishments.
These patterns can stall progress and limit a team’s potential.
Confidence as a Skill:
Insights from a Landmark National Study
Dr. Cindra Kamphoff has worked with elite performers including the Minnesota Vikings, Fortune 500 executives, and Olympic athletes.
Through extensive research and field experience, she discovered that confidence isn’t an innate trait—it’s a skill that can be systematically developed.
This revelation led her to develop a proprietary framework that transforms how individuals and organizations build lasting confidence. Now, she’s sharing these research-backed insights through this groundbreaking study.
scroll down for a sneak peek at what you will find inside the study
Key finding #1
The Bottom-Line Impact of Confidence
Low confidence isn’t just personal; it’s organizational. 33% of workers have quit a job due to damaging blows to their confidence.
A lack of self-belief drives top talent away, silences innovative ideas, and slows productivity.
The top behaviors when confidence is low: second-guessing decisions, holding back opinions, procrastination, and considering quitting.
Women are especially affected. They’re more likely to second-guess themselves and less likely to share their point of view, costing organizations diverse perspectives and critical insights.
33% of working Americans have quit a job because it was actively hurting their confidence
Key finding #2
Leadership's Role in the Crisis
Leadership has the power to shape, or shatter, confidence.
63% of employees would take a lower salary just to work for a leader who builds their confidence.
The best leaders support growth through clear goals, recognition, development opportunities, and authentic engagement.
Confidence-killing behaviors like micromanagement, lack of recognition, and inconsistency erode morale and performance.
Intentional, confidence-building leadership isn’t just “nice to have.” It’s a business mandate.
key finding #2
63% of working Americans would actually take a lower-paying job just to work for a leader who actively builds their confidence
Key finding #3
The Crisis Facing Your Youngest Talent
Gen Z faces unique and urgent challenges.
Nearly half of Gen Z workers frequently feel they aren’t enough, and 47% struggle with toxic comparisons and a harsh inner critic.
Most American workers (73%) see social media as a primary driver of this generational crisis. With nearly six and a half hours spent daily on their phones, the pressure from constant comparison is ever-present.
Employers and parents have a critical role to play, through purposeful mentoring, tailored onboarding, and specific tools and strategies to support confidence growth for young talent.
key finding #3
73% of working Americans pinpoint social media as a major factor behind the confidence struggles of young people
Get Immediate Access to the Full Confidence Crisis Study
In-depth analysis of confidence trends across generations and industries
Specific strategies leaders can implement immediately
Actionable frameworks for building confidence at all levels
Case studies from organizations that have successfully addressed confidence challenges
Tools to measure and track confidence growth in your team
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Understanding the confidence crisis is the first step
