The competence-confidence loop, often depicted by an infinity symbol, describes the positive feedback between gaining confidence with a task and then becoming more confident as you gain experience with it, leading to a higher level of competence, ad infinitum.

This loop is also a bit of a chicken-or-the-egg problem. So where do you start, with competence or confidence? The good news is that it doesn’t matter; you just have to get things moving.

For example, it’s normal to want to build up your confidence before you undertake something new. However, it can be a mistake to wait to take action until you’re confident. Taking action and ‘doing the thing’ is actually what leads to confidence because it allows you to build competence.

Here’s how to put this into action in three common scenarios where PIs run into problems with confidence:

Meetings with program officers

A lack of confidence can lead PIs to over prepare for meeting with funders. You should not feel like you need to prepare for program officer meetings (unless you have been asked to prepare something or the meeting is a review of your funded work). If you are inquiring about opportunities, you are already prepared because you’ll be talking about your research ideas. Have the meeting. By doing so, you will gain competence with these types of interactions. As you get better at holding these meetings, you will become more confident when you do.

Promoting your research on social media

Whether we like it or not, we are all responsible for our own public relations. Your institution has very talented people in the news office, but there are few of them relative to the number of faculty on campus. You need to take matters into your own hands, which may mean stepping outside your comfort zone. It’s normal to fear publishing a post with typos or recording a video with lots of ‘ums.' But you have to get started. You will find that each time you make a post or a recording, you get a little better, growing your competence and confidence.

Reaching out to old connections or people you met briefly

So many times PIs hesitate to reach out to people whom they met only briefly or whom they feel they have lost touch with. They wonder will this person actually remember me? Or, it is weird that I would reach out after so much time has passed? They might feel that something like five years is a long time. It’s not. Gain competence in facilitating these connections by making sure you get contact information for people you meet. Then connect with them on LinkedIn. Reach out. When you do, you will find people do remember you and are very happy to hear from you. This will boost your confidence big time. You’ll then gain more and more competence in networking.

The point is that these types of activities will not always feel daunting. They will feel easier and easier over time as you continue to gain both competence and confidence. The positive feedback never stops; you’ll continue to improve and actually come to enjoy these activities.

Workshop for New Faculty & Researchers

For the Society of Research Administrators International (SRAI) PI Intensive for New Faculty and Researchers: Building the Tools for Your Career in Research

This day-and-a-half workshop will take place in Chicago on October 24-25th .

We will dive into topics such as

✔️ Understanding the responsibilities of a principal investigator

✔️ Developing competitive grant applications

✔️ Negotiating effectively with your institution

✔️ Employing project management approaches in research

I am co-leading this event. Please see this page for more information and to register. Note that this is an SRAI (not a Wise Investigator) event.

It would be wonderful to meet some newsletter subscribers in person in Chicago. Please send me an email ([email protected]) if you have any questions. 👋 

When you are ready, here’s how we can help

Need to get your research funded, this year? Check out our 10-week program to get you there.

Want a done-for-you website that highlights your research impact? Let us do that for you. (We even write all the content for you!)

Ready to book a call to discuss our training, websites, or to have Dr. Barzyk provide training at your institution? Let’s chat!