Confidence vs Courage – What Matters the Most?

When we appear for an interview, what is needed the most – Confidence or courage?

This may throw light on the difference between confidence and courage.

I feel when we get interviewed more than courage it’s the confidence needed the most.

Confidence comes when you have proper knowledge of that subject. You know all the aspects, and you are thorough with that and getting questioned on that subject gives you joy.

While answering in that scenario, it feels more delighted with the command you have on it.

So, when do you need the courage?

I feel when we don’t have answers for something, we get caught off-guard.

In the above interview example, when something is asked and you don’t have a clear answer then saying “Don’t know” is courage.

Suppose, you and your team have been working on a project, that’s going on for the last few months, now it’s the final demo time and something unprecedented happened.

Now here you were confident, you knew every minute detail, and you followed all the SOPs, and checklist, but still, it goofed up.

At this stage when you have to stand up for your team and face the seniors or clients, you need courage.

The courage with a backing of confidence on that subject.

During clarifications on that matter with seniors or clients, your confidence helps you to answer that nothing has gone wrong intentionally and courage to face them, despite knowing the goof up happened, you are taking responsibility and ready for whatever the outcome will be.

The key distinction between these two is confidence comes when you know it all and in a detailed way, but in the case of courage, you are not at all ready and have to be ready for it then and there.

‘Gaining confidence’ has a set roadmap, but courage, unlike confidence can’t be gained. Courage is like treading in uncharted territory, not knowing about the final result.