Editorial
Confidence has obvious benefits in the workplace, but many of us lack it, even when we shouldn't. Indeed, research from University College London shows that even capable people are vulnerable to poor perceptions of themselves.
The researchers found that people with anxiety and depression are much more likely to suffer from imposter syndrome. What's more, this is unrelated to their performance, which is often quite good, but more their perception of their performance. It's a reminder that confidence isn't always directly linked to our abilities, but more the perceptions our minds conjure up for us.
An App to the Rescue?
The researchers remind us that this mindset is not fixed, and can be changed with the right interventions. In research from the University of California – Riverside, they tested out an app designed to do just that.
The app was designed to try to change users' self-image through regular reinforcement of more positive beliefs about themselves. The results show that, as the UCL researchers suggest, our belief systems aren't deeply entrenched, but are instead pliable.
The app, MindTAPP, is based on simple visual cues, with users shown photos of themselves alongside positive and affirming words, such as "reliable," "happy" and "hardworking." It's a process known as "associative conditioning," and the researchers wanted to test how effective it is at changing how we see ourselves.
Changing Perceptions
They recruited 159 young adults to use the app, but didn't tell them what the app was designed to do. Before the experiment, the researchers surveyed each of the volunteers to gauge their self-perception as employees. They were then tested again afterward to see whether their perception had changed.
The researchers developed the app to be not only effective but also highly usable. Users reported that it felt just like scrolling through Instagram or other photo-sharing apps. This made it enjoyable and not like any kind of training.
Each volunteer was asked to upload a series of selfies. The app then paired each photo with a set of positive traits so that every time the user swiped, they saw the image of themselves alongside one of the positive affirmations. These ranged from being a team player to being productive and capable. The users were only required to use the app for a few minutes per day, but over time, this subtly began to chip away at their negative self-image and reshaped their perceptions of themselves.
Noticeable Change
The study showed measurable improvement in people's self-perception, with a clear trend of more favorable views of their ability at work. What's more, there was also a boost in their self-efficacy.
"We've long known that people internalize cultural stereotypes about what makes a 'good worker,'" the researchers said. "But people also hold beliefs about themselves, often unconsciously. What we found is that those beliefs can be reshaped."
The app is based on tried and tested behavioral psychology principles, but has been updated for the current age by adopting gamification and being deployed on a mobile platform.
Lasting or Temporary?
The question then is whether the boost endured after the intervention ended. The study suggests it's a boost that requires regular top-ups, as without this, the positive changes faded after about a day. The intervention itself was relatively short-lived, of course, so it's also possible that longer usage would also produce longer lasting gains.
"This isn't just a pep talk," the researchers explained. "It's a tool that, used over time, could fundamentally shift someone's workplace identity."
The researchers aim to make the app free to download in the hope that it will become a key part of employee development. While training budgets are usually significant, far less attention is given to employee's mindset, they said.
"Information and skills matter, of course," the researchers said. "But belief systems influence motivation, persistence, even how people interpret their work experience. They're foundational — and yet we rarely touch them."
Changing Mindset
The researchers are confident that this is changing, however, with corporate wellness programs increasingly drawing attention to the benefit of things like mindfulness and meditation. While they may not have the same heft as other performance management programs, their presence does suggest an opening for further exploration of our minds at work.
This particular intervention could be especially powerful as it doesn't require anyone else to participate. Instead, it's purely personal and self-directed that can not only affect one's performance but also one's self-advocacy, willingness to speak up, or even to pursue goals or new roles.
Numerous studies have highlighted the so-called Pygmalion Effect, whereby the perceptions others have of us often become reality. This research highlights a similar boost from changes to our perception of ourselves.
"This isn't just about delivering a quick jolt to your thoughts," the researchers conclude. "It's about helping people believe in who they are — and who they have the enduring power to become."
Conference
Oct
20
Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo Orlando 2025
Register
Conference
Oct
27
Gartner HR Symposium/Xpo Orlando 2025
Register
Editor's Note: Want to read more about the link between employee well-being and organizational performance?
- Building Sustainable Employee Well-Being Practices in Times of Uncertainty — When well-being is strategically integrated, it supports not just individual resilience — but also organizational performance.
- Balancing Efficiency, Productivity and Employee Well-Being — Organizations have spent billions of dollars on well-being programs, yet well-being has stagnated and productivity has suffered. What's going on?
- Here's What Inclusive Leaders Do to Build More Confident Individuals and Teams — By boosting the confidence of individual team members, the whole organization benefits.
Learn how you can join our contributor community.
