Confidence isn't optimism or pessimism, and it's not a character attribute. It's the expectation of a positive outcome.
Rosabeth Moss KanterLack of opportunity breeds dreams of escape. But professionals and managers who have invested in their careers do not leave the work force as frequently as discouraged workers in lower status occupations. Instead, they keep working, but they escape emotionally by defining achievement in professional, not company, terms. ... Thus, the potential for being stuck as career uncertainty grows takes its toll in weakening attachment to any particular employer.
Rosabeth Moss KanterConfidence is the bridge connecting expectations and performance, investment and results.
Rosabeth Moss KanterAfter years of telling corporate citizens to 'trust the system,' many companies must relearn instead to trust their people - and encourage their people to use neglected creative capacities in order to tap the most potent economic stimulus of all: idea power.
Rosabeth Moss Kanter