Should we laugh more at ourselves? It's complicated

Research shows it's sometimes good for us to poke fun at ourselves, but not always. Here's how to harness the benefits, while avoiding the pitfalls.

3 Reasons You’re Bad at Recognizing What You're Good At, According to a Psychology Professor

Psychologists say criticism, anxiety and the wrong environment can make it harder to recognize the strengths you already have.

Ursula Andress on Nudity: The Story Behind the Bikini

Everyone remembers the white bikini. Here's the real story of how Ursula Andress felt about nudity, and the one thing about fame she couldn't shake.

A seriously weird study just proved confidence is contagious | BBC Science Focus Magazine

Can you catch the bug?

The real reason some people are instantly likable

Small signals of warmth can dramatically change how people respond to you.

Why Smart People Feel Like Frauds: The Psychology of Impostor Syndrome and Its Hidden Benefits

Incompetent people tend to see themselves as not just competent, but highly competent. So, at any rate, holds the theory of the 'Dunning-Kruger effect,' previously featured here on Open Culture. But does the converse also hold: do highly competent people tend to see themselves…

How to Speak with Confidence When You’re Put on the Spot

Stanford’s Matt Abrahams offers practical advice for communicating clearly and calmly under pressure.

How to be less awkward

a three-part treatment for a near-universal affliction

Reverse impostor syndrome

Imposter syndrome is other people thinking you’re good, but you don’t believe it yourself. Reverse imposter syndrome is knowing you are good, but others don’t see it from the outside.

Lessons from U.S. Army Special Ops on Becoming a Leader

How to cultivate initiative, emotional confidence, imagination, and strategic vision.

That success was measured on multiple scales, including:

Integrity Mental agility Sound judgment Innovation Leads by example Develops others Gets results

How to instantly be better at things

Just pretend you're someone else

3 simple steps to overcome self-doubt at work

It’s time to surmount the syndrome. Start by rewriting the story you hear in your head.

Learn to love the Moat of Low Status

It hurts, but less than you think

Fear of being temporarily low in social status stops human beings from living richer lives to an unbelievable degree.

When you start learning or doing almost anything interesting, you will initially be bad at it, and incur a temporary penalty in the form of looking a little dumb.

What Is the Spotlight Effect?

The spotlight effect is one of the most fascinating phenomena of human experience. We explore why it happens and how to overcome it.

You’re a Bad Judge of How Good-looking You Are - Nautilus

Why are we such bad judges of how others see us? Epley’s answer is that other people are novices about us, while we’re experts.“The Green Mirror” (1911) by Guy Rose / Wikicommons Nautilus Members enjoy an ad-free experience. Log in or Join now . There’s the full-body bedroom…

Narcissism and Self-Esteem Are Very Different

Narcissism and self-esteem have very different developmental pathways and outcomes.

The Psychology of Camera Confidence

In a world dominated by video, we know we’d benefit from communicating effortlessly through video content. But many of us struggle with camera confidence. This is because our fear of talking to a camera is deeply rooted in our survival instincts.

How Your Body Posture Communicates Feelings to Others

New research suggests that body postures can reveal our emotions to other people—and maybe even change how we feel inside.

Why so many people undercharge for their work

Setting a rate can be a minefield for folks navigating an industry alone.

How To Get An MBA From Eminem

In 2002 I was driving to a hedge fund manager's house to hopefully raise money from him. I was two hours late. This was pre-GPS and I had no cell phone. I was totally lost. I kept playing over and over again "Lose Yourself" by Eminem. I was afraid this was my one shot and I was…

The Psychology of the Self-Appointed Genius - Priceonomics

How ignorance and a little ego threat can make us ridiculously over-confident.

Finish Line: Weaponize the chip on your shoulder

Never underestimate the power your own insecurities can generate.

How to Feel Better Naked

Whether you want to find joy in your body, or just greater self-acceptance, these four strategies from psychologists and activists — and, yes, nudists — might help.

How to Learn the Trick of Confidence

Can ‘confidence-whisperer’ Nate Zinsser help Jamie Waters boost his wavering self-belief?

Medium

Everybody Experiences Imposter Syndrome — Strong Leaders Use it to Their Advantage By: Mike McDerment, FreshBooks Co-Founder and CEO Do you ever secretly fear you’re in over your head at your …

How to learn the trick of confidence

Can ‘confidence-whisperer’ Nate Zinsser help Jamie Waters boost his wavering self-belief?

Assertiveness is a virtue that anyone can develop with practice | Psyche Id

You can’t stop people making demands on your time and energy, but you can develop assertiveness skills to protect yourself

One simple way to build someone’s confidence: Ask for their advice

When we want people to change, we typically tell them what to do. But what if we flipped the script and asked them for their wisdom instead? Behavioral scientist Katy Milkman PhD explains the power…

Five Phrases That Make People Discount What You’re Saying

These common expressions can cause listeners to think twice.

Public Speaking Nightmare: How to Shut Down Bullies and Hecklers

Five tactics to silence the person trying to make you squirm.

How to have better arguments online

The long read: The troubled times we live in, and the rise of social media, have created an age of endless conflict. Rather than fearing or avoiding disagreement, we need to learn to do it well

Medium

How to Talk to People You Disagree With

Bridge the divide with thoughtful conversation techniques, next-level listening, and a dip into the science of changing minds.

How to tackle the monsters holding you back from being a good leader - Fast Company

"Unconscious leadership happens when we aren't self-aware, which puts fear in the driver's seat."

Healthy Self-Doubt

The Power of Lampshading

How to turn Ignorance into Power

Why Talented People Don’t Use Their Strengths

We often undervalue what we inherently do well.

Writing is Thinking: Learning to Write with Confidence

Learning to write is learning to think, because writing is thinking. They are two peas in a powerful pod. This article goes over my writing process, focused on minimizing the activation energy to get started.

We Are All Confident Idiots

The trouble with ignorance is that it feels so much like expertise. A leading researcher on the psychology of human wrongness sets us straight.

What to Do at Parties If You Hate Small Talk

We publish articles around emotional education: calm, fulfilment, perspective and self-awareness. | What to Do at Parties If You Hate Small Talk — Read now

Bulletproof Confidence: The Secrets of a Professional Poker Player

Confidence Through Feedback, or Why Imposter Syndrome is the Wrong Metaphor

Imposter syndrome is often presented as a personal failing. A lack of confidence, our wrong-headed beliefs not matching the reality of how competent we are, or worst of a flaw of our gender. Just...