Confidence: How Winning Streaks and Losing Streaks Begin and End

Confidence, as argued by Rosabeth Kanter, is not a state, it is a trajectory. Whether you look at a sports team, a business, a nation, or an individual, they are all subject to the cyclic nature of decline and improvement. 'Losers' find it harder to attract talent, start new projects, or even keep up the daily operations; 'winners' have the advantage of the halo effect which hides weaknesses, attracts talent, and fuels further growth. The author analyzes these self-fulfilling prophecies (Pygmalion effect) and what it takes to reverse them through the cornerstones of confidence (as identified by R. Kanter) - accountability, collaboration, and initiative.Leading a turnaround (or even admitting to requiring one) can be daunting and a complex task and to help us Rosabeth Kanter identifies framework to reverse the cycle (through examples of Seagate, Continental Airlines, BBC, and more):1. Invest into people and their work environment. Show confidence in the future, set attainable goals and start winning one step at a time.2. Promote collaboration and free flow of information and decision making. (Winning teams are data rich)3. As first two improve the ethos of the group/individual, risk taking (innovation) potential is released which further helps build successful products and fuel cycles of growth.(This is by no means a complete list, only a small sample)Overall, "Confidence" is a great book and an excellent resource for improving your business and personal life. Not surprisingly, winning is hard work and this book does not provide any misconceptions in that regard. But the ability to identify the cycles of growth and decline can in itself be a priceless piece of information which can help stop the declines early and allocate resources and rewards when they are due

I think the book can be useful. First, she should highlight the takeaways at the beginning of each chapter. Second, cut the book in half. For example, she spend two chapters explaining why the book will be helpful, but then she buries the information that is helpful deep into chapters. I think there is useful information in the book but the reader has to invest a lot more time than is necessary to get to it. If she wrote this book as a text for a class study class then maybe she can justify the repetitiveness.

Prompt delivery, well packaged, accurate description. Thank you.

The content is good.It could be me, but I haven't found it to be a smooth read.Also as a sole-proprietor it is challenging to translate ideas used by corporations to my business.

I bought this and the Confidence Code.My sense is both would make good motivational articles, and that the money would be better spent on training which puts a person thru experiences of being assertive, thereby building confidence.

interesting, many practical applications to be used by reader to benefit from....great read...got a lot from it....common sense approach, very useful...

A great perspective on sustainability. Touches the human emotion and connectedness in the workplace. Very effective!

How I tried to find the value in these words, but alas, the writing was so cumbersome and the the words seemed to go and on without getting to a point that I could understand. Maybe I am not intelligent enough to master this work, but unless you a doctoral candidate studying this stuff, my advice is save your money and your time. Go get another book,

Great book, great service. Very pleased with my purchase. Rosabeth Moss Kanter is a fabulous author and hits the nail on the head.

Excellent copy!Very good book!

Reading the first few chapters and the last few make this book an important read. If you enjoy stories or business and sports turnarounds, the middle section is good to emphasize the points about confidence. With all the emphasis on "grit" these days, this book makes you realize that without creating the conditions to build real confidence, there is less chance for resilience and turnarounds.

Excellent read indeed.Enriched with lot of fresh perspectives and ideas.Facts and insights clearly elucidated.Worth the read.