Exploring the Confidence Crisis in the American Workforce and Strategies to Address it
A National Study Revealing What’s Really Undermining Workplace Performance, and How Leaders Can Fix It.
Groundbreaking research reveals why confidence is the hidden driver of workplace performance
Confidence is not just a personal trait, it’s a measurable factor that impacts productivity, innovation, revenue, and retention across every industry...
Yet two-thirds of working Americans say the nation is in a confidence crisis, with Gen Z and younger Millennials hit the hardest, which are tomorrow’s leaders.
Our national study shows that when confidence falters, employees hesitate to share ideas, shy away from challenges, and in many cases, leave jobs that drain their self-belief. This isn’t a “soft” issue—it’s a business imperative that affects revenue, culture, and growth.
75% of working Americans believe confidence propels you further in life than sheer smarts
Low confidence quietly drains entire 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 is a skill that can be
systematically built
Dr. Cindra Kamphoff has worked with elite performers including the Minnesota Vikings, Fortune 500 executives, and Olympic athletes. Along with clients like Verizon, Bobcat, and Target helping them improve their performance.
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
Insight 1:
The Confidence Crisis in Gen Z Needs Immediate Attention
Gen Z is entering the workforce in the middle of a major confidence crisis.
Our research found that nearly half feel they’re not enough, and just as many struggle with constant comparison and a harsh inner critic.
Gen Z spends about six and a half hours a day on their phones, much of it viewing curated images that can heighten insecurity.
This study explores what’s driving the crisis and how leaders, mentors, parents, and peers can help build Gen Z’s confidence.
73% of working Americans pinpoint social media as a major factor behind the confidence struggles of young people
Insight 2:
Confidence is an Invisible Barrier
Confidence is critical for success, yet most working Americans face constant internal challenges.
Our study found that 62% feel they’re not enough and 63% frequently compare themselves to others.
These patterns chip away at self-worth—the foundation for creativity, emotional health, and meaningful achievement. Without it, innovation and growth suffer.
The research also revealed a gender gap, with women reporting higher rates of self-criticism, perfectionism, fear, and feelings of inadequacy than men.
70% of working Americans dwell on past mistakes and wrestle with a harsh inner critic
Insight 3:
The Hard Truth for Leaders
The best leaders grow confidence, as it’s a career-defining priority for their people.
They recognize achievements, set clear goals, and go beyond simply managing tasks. These actions build environments where people feel supported, capable, and willing to take risks. The payoff is stronger results across productivity, innovation, and retention.
When leaders ignore this responsibility, confidence fades. Self-belief erodes, teams disengage, and organizations lose momentum.
The reality is, confidence is foundational to individual and business success. Every leadership choice is either building it or breaking it.
63% of working Americans would take a lower-paying job just to work for a leader who actively builds their confidence
Insight 4:
The Revenue Impact of Growing Confidence
When confidence falters, workplaces feel the impact in lost productivity, stalled innovation, and higher turnover.
Talent and potential often walk out the door, not from lack of skill, but from diminished self-belief.
Low confidence drives behaviors that hold back ideas, slow productivity, and limit growth. It also fuels retention challenges, with costly turnover draining time, resources, and momentum.
Building a culture that strengthens confidence is essential to keeping top talent and enabling them to thrive.
33% of working Americans have quit a job because it was actively hurting their confidence
Confidence as a Skill:
Insights from a Landmark National Study
A Framework for Confidence Leadership
The workplace confidence crisis affects organizations at every level, but the solution isn't just individual action, it requires leadership commitment.
Forward-thinking leaders should:
1.
Measure Your Confidence Gap:
Our proprietary assessment identifies specific confidence barriers within your organization, clarifying which obstacles most impact performance.
2.
Transform Knowledge Into Action:
Apply our Mentally Strong Method™ to develop leadership strategies that foster psychological safety, provide growth pathways, and empower smart risk-taking.
3.
Build Confident, High-Performing Teams:
Implement proven frameworks that develop resilient teams, improve decision-making speed, and increase innovation. Confident teams are 42% more likely to contribute new ideas.
4.
Scale Throughout Your Organization:
Master confidence cultivation at scale to create lasting cultural change that transforms how your company approaches challenges and achieves breakthrough performance.
This study was conducted by
Dr. Cindra Kamphoff, CMPC, PCC, CSP
The Mentally Strong Institute helps leaders, high performers and athletes develop the mental skills to lead with clarity, stay focused under pressure, and perform at their best, no matter the environment.
Founded and led by Dr. Cindra Kamphoff, a best selling author, keynote speaker, and a executive performance coach who’s coached Olympic athletes, NFL players, and executives at companies like Verizon and Target, the Institute brings that same level of coaching to entrepreneurs, business leaders, and teams.
Backed by a team of 15+ expert coaches and performance specialists, the Institute delivers one-on-one coaching, keynotes and trainings, team programs, and mental strength education that’s grounded in research and proven in the real world.
As seen in
This study was fielded by
The Center For Generational Kinetics
The Center for Generational Kinetics, LLC (CGK) is the premier thought leadership research firm focused on must-know trends, hidden drivers of change, and actionable insights for visionary leaders. CGK has led more than 150 custom research studies for clients around the world.
CGK’s team has worked with over 700 organizations, from healthcare companies to financial services, retailers, technology, and private equity firms, and has shared their expertise as keynote speakers and bestselling authors across the globe.