How to build your confidence -- and spark it in others | Brittany Packnett Cunningham | TED

Summary

The speaker recounts her childhood fascination with Septima Clark, an educator and activist, whose portrait on a book cover symbolized confidence. She emphasizes the crucial role of confidence in driving change and shares her experiences as a teacher, where she nurtured confidence in her diverse students. The talk explores the importance of permission, community, and curiosity in building confidence, advocating for a world that values and fosters it, regardless of race or gender.

Takeaways

• 🏡 The speaker's childhood home, with its pristine living room, symbolized the sacrifices of previous generations and the importance of maintaining a perfect image.
• 📚 A book featuring Septima Clark, an activist and educator, inspired the speaker and became a defining image of confidence before she even understood the concept.
• 🌟 Confidence is often underrated and considered a 'nice-to-have' rather than a 'must-have' skill, yet it is crucial for overcoming challenges and realizing ambitions.
• 🚀 Confidence acts as a catalyst, distinguishing those who are inspired from those who take action and persist despite failures.
• 🌍 The speaker aspires to create a world where revolutionary confidence helps turn ambitious dreams into reality, beginning with her classroom as a microcosm of this vision.
• 👩‍🏫 In her classroom, the speaker aimed to foster an environment where students, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds, could develop the confidence to reshape the world.
• 👦 Jamal's story illustrates how a student's confidence can be nurtured through understanding and flexibility, leading to a breakthrough moment of public speaking.
• 👧 Regina's experience highlights the teacher's struggle to balance discipline with fostering confidence, and the potential negative impact of prioritizing control over encouragement.
• 🔑 The speaker identifies three key elements for cultivating confidence: permission to be oneself, a supportive community, and the curiosity to learn from mistakes.
• 🌈 The vision of a future where confidence is not confined by gender, race, or traditional leadership stereotypes, but is instead a universal key to unlocking a just and equitable world.

Q & A

What was the significance of the book 'I Dream A World' in the speaker's life?

The book 'I Dream A World' was significant because it featured a portrait of Septima Clark, which defined confidence for the speaker before she even knew the word. It inspired her to dream of a world where revolutionary confidence helps bring ambitious dreams into reality.

Why was the living room in the speaker's childhood home described as 'perfect'?

The living room was described as 'perfect' because it represented the sacrifices of generations and was a first impression of the family's home, adorned with a white carpet and a curio of the mother's most treasured collectibles.

How did the speaker's mother influence her understanding of confidence?

The speaker's mother influenced her understanding of confidence by demonstrating assertiveness and skill in negotiations, such as when buying a car, which showed the speaker how to defy expectations and show up confidently.

What was Jamal's least favorite subject and how did the speaker help him overcome his reluctance?

Jamal's least favorite subject was writing. The speaker helped him by allowing him to work from anywhere in the classroom if he could give focused work, which eventually led to Jamal reading his work aloud during a mock election, showcasing his brilliance.

What was the turning point for Jamal in the classroom?

The turning point for Jamal was when he decided to read his stump speech out loud in class during a mock election, which earned him a standing ovation and showed his most confident self for the first time that year.

How did the speaker's approach towards Regina reflect a moment of lack of confidence?

The speaker's approach towards Regina reflected a lack of confidence when she snapped at Regina for being a distraction, inadvertently communicating that Regina herself was a distraction, which extinguished the light of joy in her eyes.

What are the three elements the speaker believes are necessary to breed confidence?

The three elements the speaker believes are necessary to breed confidence are permission, community, and curiosity.

Why did the speaker travel to Kenya and what did she learn from the Maasai women?

The speaker traveled to Kenya to learn about women's empowerment among Maasai women. She learned about the importance of community from a group called Team Lioness, who showed that confidence is nurtured and affirmed by the support of others.

How did the speaker's manager help her maintain her confidence after a failed event?

The speaker's manager helped her maintain her confidence by asking about her intentions rather than focusing on her mistakes, which allowed the speaker to learn from the experience without damaging her confidence.

What is the speaker's vision for the future in terms of confidence and leadership?

The speaker's vision for the future is a world where confidence is not intimidated by gender, race, or leadership archetypes, and where it is recognized as a key to unlocking the future that everyone wants.

What does the speaker believe is the role of confidence in solving the world's greatest challenges?

The speaker believes that confidence is a necessary spark that can help solve the world's greatest challenges by empowering individuals to take action and bring about change.