In this second episode of Zentano’s Confidence in Leadership series, Rich and Dave go beneath the surface to explore the forces that quietly drain confidence in capable leaders. Rather than dramatic failures, confidence is often eroded through constant micro pressures, organisational politics, and the need for perfectionism, all of which trigger unconscious “masks” designed to protect self-worth.

Rich introduces the idea of psychological masks, such as the Pretender, Overachiever, Striver, and Self-Doubter, and explains how these coping strategies can become unhealthy when they operate unconsciously. Drawing on his research into confidence and self-esteem, he unpacks the delicate balance between self-worth and competence, and why leaders often lean too hard on control and performance when their sense of self is under threat.

The episode closes with practical micro-habits leaders can use in real time to stabilise confidence, reconnect with their “connected centre,” and move away from performative confidence towards something more grounded, human, and sustainable.

1. Why leadership confidence rarely collapses in a single moment and instead erodes through micro-pressures over time
2. The concept of psychological masks and why leaders often wear them unconsciously
3. How pressure, organisational politics, and perfectionism act as “silent confidence killers”
4. The relationship between self-worth and competence, and how imbalance drives over-control and over-performance
5. Why performative confidence is not the same as grounded confidence
6. Four common masks leaders adopt: Pretender, Overachiever, Striver, and Self-Doubter
7. How political environments amplify insecurity through unhelpful internal narratives
8. Why perfectionism is often the fear of being truly seen
9. Practical micro-habits to stabilise confidence:

Many leaders have done everything right. They have built experience, delivered results, and earned their place. Yet despite this, they often feel unsettled, exposed, or quietly unsure of themselves.

In the first episode of their Confidence in Leadership series, Rich and Dave explore why experience alone is not enough to create real leadership confidence. Drawing on personal stories and insights from coaching leaders with confidence issues, they unpack the difference between competence and confidence, how pretend confidence erodes trust, the hidden impact of the “promotion shock”, and why so many senior leaders feel less secure as responsibility and visibility increase.

This episode reframes confidence not as performance or a personality trait, but as an inner practice. It explains why confidence is something that can be developed deliberately, through emotional regulation, grounded self-awareness and finding a healthy balance of competence and self-worth, rather than through qualifications, status, or bravado.

Key Talking Points

· Why highly experienced leaders can still feel unconfident

· The difference between competence and confidence, and why confusing the two causes problems

· Under-utilising competence vs over-relying on it as a form of armour

· Why confidence often dips after promotion and at senior levels

· The difference between looking confident and being confident

· How performative confidence undermines trust and psychological safety

· Confidence as an internal practice rather than a fixed trait

· Introducing the idea of the “confidence bucket” and micro-habits for rebuilding confidence

· Why healthy confidence creates collaboration, trust, and calm leadership under pressure

In episode 55 of Unleash Your Impact, Unlock Others, Dave is joined by experienced Executive Coach Nick Marlow to explore how leaders can create positive leadership ripples and enhance the performance of both their own teams and the wider organisation they represent.

Drawing on his own development challengers and over 25 years of coaching leaders and senior professionals, Nick shares a compelling perspective on why real performance starts with self-awareness. Together, they unpack an evolved version of the classic performance equation first mooted by Tim Gallwey, and explore why high performance, full engagement and wellbeing must be developed together, not treated as separate agendas.

This is a thoughtful and purposefully thought-provoking conversation for leaders who want to create sustainable performance, healthier cultures and meaningful impact, by starting with themselves.

Key Talking Points:

1. Why most people operate far below their true potential
2. The role of self-awareness in unlocking purpose and performance
3. Embracing the ABC of life, Awareness + Balance + Choice
4. The dangers of promoting people away from their natural strengths
5. How leaders create positive ripples by doing their own inner work first
6. Practical reflections leaders can use to reconnect with what energises them