When I tell someone they need more confidence, the first reaction is always, “I have tons of confidence!” 

Once their feathers stop ruffling I patiently try to point out that confidence is variable – having it in one area usually means you’re lacking it in another area.  Think about it like a D&D stats.  If that’s not in your wheelhouse, go do some tertiary research and then come back.  As I was saying, the level you have in that stat translates to the confidence you have in that part of your life.  Unless you’re a stat-whore that mathematically pumps your character into something unnatural – and I’m not only speaking metaphorically here – then all of us pretty much start out with the same amount of power to work with.  For those that would pick the metaphor apart, those born into advantageous positions are same at the beginning…  they just get unfair amounts of skill points that allow them to level up faster if they choose to do so.  That’s how it plays out in my mind anyway.

I want to help people achieve their goals.  I also want to get what I need in the process.  It’s always great when those two things line up well.  I feel like I’m on track to jive with certain individuals.  How it plays out is to-be-announced.  Tomorrow I meet the people in my department.  That’s a little like meeting a mob family.  I have to find a way to be useful or unnoticeable.  I prefer the former but know when the latter suits me.  It’s Seattle, so I might even fit in for once in my life.  The last time I enjoyed the people I worked with it was two Geminis and that’s just because they kept it interesting.  If I have to turtle up and pray no one takes offense to me it’s not the worst thing.  I’ve gotten pretty good at that.