When asking people about their confidence in their work, I sometimes hear answers like, “Once I understand this better, my confidence should increase.” This is like saying, “I hope I can figure this out.”

When you hear such answers, you might want to ask a few questions. Questions like, “What would you need to give you more confidence now?”

It might be as simple as an extra set of eyes on the problem. However, in many corporate cultures asking for help is perceived as a weakness. 

Or, they might need better tools but do not believe there is a willingness to spend the money.

Whatever the reasons justifying their hope, help them shift from hope to strategy. You can’t guarantee success, but I’m willing to bet success will happen more often.

You’ve got this.