How to build your confidence -- and spark it in others | Brittany Packnett Cunningham | TED

The Power of Confidence

In this section, the speaker reflects on a book she encountered as a child that featured a portrait of Septima Clark, an influential activist and educator. This portrait instilled in the speaker a sense of confidence and the realization of its importance.

The Impact of Septima Clark's Portrait

• The speaker describes how a book featuring Septima Clark's portrait influenced her as a child.

• The portrait exuded confidence and became a defining image for the speaker.

• Confidence is often undervalued but plays a crucial role in personal and societal progress.

The Importance of Confidence

In this section, the speaker emphasizes the significance of confidence in overcoming challenges and achieving success. She highlights that despite having abundant knowledge and resources, injustice persists due to the lack of confidence.

Underestimating the Importance of Confidence

• Knowledge and resources alone are insufficient to address societal issues.

• Confidence is often overlooked as a soft skill but is essential for driving change.

• The speaker expresses her obsession with confidence and its transformative power.

Confidence as a Catalyst

Here, the speaker explains how confidence serves as a catalyst for action. It enables individuals to persist even in the face of failure or adversity.

The Spark Before Action

• Confidence acts as an initial spark that propels individuals towards their goals.

• It differentiates between being inspired and taking concrete steps towards achievement.

• Even when faced with failure, confidence helps individuals persevere.

Building Confidence in Students

In this section, the speaker shares her experience as a teacher working with students who lacked confidence. She discusses creating an environment where students can develop confidence and use their academic skills to change the world.

Fostering Confidence in the Classroom

• The speaker describes her classroom as a place for students to build confidence.

• Students from diverse backgrounds, including low-income and marginalized communities, were encouraged to embrace their potential.

• Academic skills are valuable, but confidence is necessary for utilizing those skills effectively.

Supporting Students' Confidence

Here, the speaker shares two stories of students named Jamal and Regina. She highlights the importance of supporting students' confidence and recounts instances where she made choices that either hindered or fostered their self-assurance.

Jamal's Journey to Confidence

• Jamal was a brilliant but unfocused student who struggled with writing.

• The teacher negotiated with Jamal, allowing him flexibility in completing his work.

• Through a mock presidential election activity, Jamal showcased his brilliance and gained confidence.

Regina's Distractions and Control

• Regina was an active student who often finished her work early and distracted others.

• The teacher sometimes prioritized control over fostering Regina's confidence.

• A particular incident highlighted the negative impact of choosing control over championing a student's growth.

Conclusion

The speaker emphasizes the transformative power of confidence and its role in overcoming challenges. She shares personal experiences as both a student inspired by Septima Clark's portrait and as a teacher working to instill confidence in her students. Confidence is portrayed as an essential skill that empowers individuals to take action, make progress, and create positive change in the world.

New Section

This section discusses the impact of confidence and the consequences of lacking it.

The Power of Confidence

• Confidence is essential for personal growth and success.

• Lack of confidence can hinder progress and lead to self-doubt.

• Confidence allows us to perform with certainty and overcome obstacles.

The Role of Society

• Society rewards confidence in some individuals while punishing it in others.

• Many people go through life without confidence due to societal biases.

• Confidence should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or appearance.

New Section

This section explores the importance of permission, community, and curiosity in building confidence.

Building Confidence

• Permission is necessary for confidence to exist.

• Community provides a safe space to practice and nurture confidence.

• Curiosity affirms and encourages the development of confidence.

Personal Experience

• The speaker shares a childhood memory where her mother's actions gave her permission to be confident.

• Witnessing her mother negotiate confidently empowered her to defy expectations.

New Section

This section highlights the role of community in fostering confidence through an example from Kenya.

Team Lioness

• The speaker recounts her encounter with Team Lioness, an all-female ranger group in Kenya.

• These young women draw strength from their sisterhood and support each other's confidence.

New Section

This section emphasizes the importance of curiosity in maintaining and strengthening confidence.

Learning from Mistakes

• Instead of focusing on mistakes, curiosity invites individuals to reflect on their intentions and learn from their own experiences.

Conclusion

Confidence plays a crucial role in personal growth and success. It requires permission, community support, and curiosity. By embracing these elements, individuals can overcome self-doubt and achieve their goals.

New Section Building Confidence to Solve Challenges

In this section, the speaker emphasizes the importance of building confidence to tackle our greatest challenges and create a better world. They highlight the need for equity, justice, and freedom for all.

The Power of Confidence

• Building confidence is crucial in solving our greatest challenges and creating the world we dream of.

• A world where inequity is ended and justice is real.

• Freedom on both the outside and inside, recognizing that none of us are truly free until all of us are free.

Embracing Different Forms of Confidence

• A world that isn't intimidated by confidence displayed by women, individuals with black skin, or anyone who doesn't fit traditional leadership archetypes.

• Recognizing that diverse forms of confidence are key to unlocking the future we desire.

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