When confidence becomes a disaster

Confidence is good and important, but when it crosses the borderline it becomes toxic called overconfidence and goes against the laws of nature. Individuals show many psychological biases, and one of the most powerful is overconfidence.

Bias is a dangerous decision that leads people to underestimate their own weaknesses. Confidence or overconfidence will always depend on one's own thinking. Timing optimism is another aspect of overconfidence psychology. The 2008 financial crisis or the ill-preparedness for many environmental calamities or ongoing climate change could be some examples.

Overconfidence has been also blamed throughout the history for high-profile costly conflicts such as World War I, the Vietnam-Afghan War or the war in the Middle East. Megalomaniac Hitler's overconfidence changed millions of people's lives. Even if a popular leader becomes overconfident, s/he may become an authoritarian. A couple of tiny consecutive successes usually make one confident, but without kindness quality, it may make one overconfident and eventually, this overconfidence is enough to rob future successes.

Egotistical mindsets of overconfident people usually do not like to apologise due to their fragile egos, while a good apology strengthens the relationship. Inside their deep thinking, they think they are better than others. This superiority complex can put a team's work in a stagnant situation. This is an unforeseeable dark side of an overconfident as they cannot absorb their faults.

Overconfident and prideful nature walk together. They are usually satisfied with themselves and since they are not focused on others' needs, they are harmful to society. From time to time, scholars have looked into the idea of the "illusion of knowledge." This is a cognitive error that leads individuals to overrate their capabilities and knowledge, leading to poor decision-making.

In fact, overconfidence is a weakness as it misjudges their ability which further leads to failures.

E-mail: rubaiulmurshed@shomman.org