Probing the latest neuroscience and scientifically based psychology, Professor Ian Robertson explains how confidence plays out in our minds, our brains and our bodies.

Confidence makes individuals richer, healthier, longer-living, smarter, kinder, happier, more motivated and more innovative. The same is true of teams, firms, schools – even whole countries.

Confidence works because it has drug-like actions in the brain. It boosts our performance by helping us to focus on the right things, so we do them better. It multiplies success, exponentially increasing our original mental capacity. And lack of confidence as the opposite effect: a lack of confidence can have a devastating effect on our future.

The good news for all of us is that confidence can be learned. In this talk, neuroscientist and clinical psychologist Ian Robertson will explain where confidence comes from and how it spreads – and what we can do to build it in ourselves and others.

What impact does confidence have on the economy? How does gender affect on our confidence in others? What is the relationship between confidence, physical strength and pain? All of these questions and many more will be answered in this ground-breaking talk.

Praise for Ian Robertson’s How Confidence Works:

‘Brilliant – will change how you think about confidence.’ – Johann Hari

‘An inviting explanation of an interesting and important new topic in psychological science.’ – Steven Pinker

‘A revelatory and practical new exploration of the science of confidence, which is important for everyone but crucial for women.’ – Mary Robinson