We all have a narrative and for most of us, it’s negative.
We’re wired to focus on what’s wrong. And the first place we usually look? Ourselves.

Think about it: how often do we set ambitious goals but fail to see ourselves as the kind of people who can actually make them happen?

We’re living in a time where change is accelerating, whether we like it or not. That creates uncertainty for organizations everywhere. Times are only becoming more challenging, more complex, more difficult.

Instead of wishing for certainty, what if we focused on becoming more certain people? Because we do have the power to become the best version of ourselves. The question is—how?

So I ask you: how would you show up if you weren’t afraid of what other people thought?

Raising the Standard
Today’s ceiling is tomorrow’s floor.
Today’s highest standard becomes tomorrow’s new normal.

That’s how we grow into inspirational leaders. Leaders who don’t run from challenges but run towards them. Leaders who don’t see self-doubt as a stop sign, but as an invitation to step up and grow.

When we take that first step toward our goals, we prove to ourselves that we are far more capable than we ever believed.

Because your team doesn’t connect to a perfect leader. They connect to an authentic one.

Our ultimate opportunity is to inspire confidence in others—especially in the midst of uncertainty.

Why not you? You are extraordinary. And when you tap into that truth, you’ll discover the most confident version of yourself—one that’s been there all along.

Thank you so much—it’s been a blast!

I’m so excited to be here to share three ideas that build real confidence—the difference between those days when you doubt everything about yourself, and those days when you’re on fire.

Confidence is the missing piece between you and everything you want—being happier, building stronger relationships, overcoming fear. And by the time we’re done, you’ll have the three steps to becoming the most confident version of yourself.

But first, meet Brody, my puppy. He looks cute, but he’s a total psychopath—the most excited dog I’ve ever met. When friends come over, he gets so excited he actually pees on them. That’s his idea of a warm welcome. Rain or shine, market crash or pandemic—you cannot bring this guy down.

Here’s the difference between Brody and the rest of us: he doesn’t need a reason to be excited. Meanwhile, we make our energy conditional on circumstances. Only if I get that trip. Only if it’s the weekend. Only if I feel like it. We wait for moments of enthusiasm instead of creating them.

But high-energy moments aren’t found, they’re created. Confident people know the #1 skill is bringing great energy—even when it’s hard, even when they’re tired. Leaders show up even when they’re exhausted.

Here’s the truth: many of you have big goals, but we don’t rise to the level of our goals—we fall to the level of our energy.

So be the person who lights up the room. Bring so much fire that it lifts everyone around you. Because your energy is infectious, and it will help others find energy for their own lives.

I believe the reason fear stops so many people is because it doesn’t even let them judge the experience for themselves.

They have that dream, that goal, that thing they want to do — but they see it from a distance. It looks scary. They doubt themselves. And ultimately, they sit on the sidelines of their life.

It is not about overcoming your fears. I think that’s terrible advice. It’s about building a better relationship with them.

Brain scans show fear and courage actually coexist. Courage is found in your willingness to put yourself into the moment of fear. Confidence is being bold enough to say:

“I’m not ready.”
“Maybe I’ll fail.”
“What if they don’t like it?”
“What if I mess up?”
And moving forward anyway.

For all of us, one thing stands in the way between us and the ultimate version of ourselves: self-doubt.

Where have you been doubting yourself?
Maybe it’s feeling different.
Maybe it’s the fear of not being enough.
Maybe it’s a goal that feels out of reach.

Whatever it is, your weaknesses don’t define your life. They are potential strengths waiting for the voice of confidence to say:
“You’re worth it. You matter. You’re awesome.”

Confident people experience doubt like everyone else. The difference? They see doubt as a signal — a sign to keep going, to grow, to get better.

When I was younger, I was terrified of talking to people. My first speech was at 19, in front of 170 seventh graders, at 7 in the morning, while they ate breakfast. I forgot everything I said. It was awful.

But that’s the point. You have to invest in your weaknesses until they turn into strengths.

Leadership is showing up and being courageous, even when no one else will. Every failure of leadership is a failure of courage.

If you want to be more courageous, put yourself into the moment of fear.

“I thought he was really funny and very engaging. Something he said to me was about confidence—when you have confidence, you’re basically giving the gift of confidence to everybody else around you.

I just love the way he interacts with the crowd, getting everyone involved and participating with each other. He was amazing, brought so much energy, and taught us that energy comes first—that it builds confidence, and how we can all gain that energy and confidence.

He was super inspirational, encouraging, and positive. A really good experience.

He did a great job, especially at the close of the meeting. He was great to work with and communicated really well.

If you’re thinking about bringing in Juan, you should definitely do it.”