Ever been in a meeting and wondered what your boss is really thinking? 🤔 Or sat across the negotiation table, trying to figure out if the other side is bluffing? The truth is, people leak their true feelings all the time, not through their words, but through their actions.
And who better to learn from than someone whose confidence is their biggest weapon? Enter UFC superstar Conor McGregor. His journey from an unstoppable, trash-talking champion to a more reflective fighter offers a masterclass in reading confidence—and the lack of it. 🥊
Let's break down the hidden tells, so you can start reading any room like a pro. 👇
Confidence Tell #1: Owning the Narrative 📣
Before his first loss to Nate Diaz, Conor was a master of what we in the business world call "owning the narrative." He wasn't just talking trash; he was constantly steering every conversation, no matter how random, back to his own strength and his opponent's weakness.
- A reporter asks about money? 💰 Conor turns it into a jab at Nate's finances.
- A request to count to 10? 😂 He mocks Nate's intelligence.
The Corporate Takeaway: Truly confident leaders do the same. They aren't just reactive; they proactively shape the conversation. They have a clear message and find ways to weave it into every interaction, reinforcing their vision and control. They don't get flustered by unexpected questions; they use them as a launchpad.
Confidence Tell #2: Expansive Body Language amp; Gesticulations 💪
Confident people aren't afraid to take up space. Before his loss, Conor's body language was explosive. He used big, open gesticulations, leaned back, and even put his feet up on the press conference table! He physically dominated the space around him because, in his mind, he owned it. He even snatched his opponent's championship belt right off the table. 👑
The Corporate Takeaway: This is what we call executive presence. When you see a leader who is comfortable—leaning back in their chair, using open hand gestures, and maintaining a relaxed posture even under pressure—you're seeing someone who feels in control. Conversely, people who feel less confident tend to physically shrink, with closed-off posture and minimal gestures.
Confidence Tell #3: The Power of Visualization amp; Specificity 🔮
This is McGregor's superpower. He didn't just say "I'm going to win." He painted a vivid, detailed picture:
"I said his right hand would get him into trouble... I said I'd slip, I said I'd bang the left hook, and that's what happened."
He visualized the victory in such specific detail that it became a self-fulfilling prophecy. He spoke his visualizations into existence with unshakable conviction.
The Corporate Takeaway: Confidence and competence are linked. When someone can speak about a future outcome with extreme clarity and specificity, it shows they have thought through every detail. They've "visualized" the project's success. Vague, uncertain language often signals a lack of preparation or a wavering belief in the outcome.
When The Cracks Appear: Spotting a Loss of Confidence 📉
After his loss to Nate, everything changed. The tells flipped:
- Vague Predictions: His trash talk became generic. "I will take this man out," he'd say, without the vivid imagery or specificity of his past proclamations.
- Subdued Gesticulations: The explosive, space-owning gestures disappeared, replaced by more contained, hesitant movements.
- Slower, Hesitant Speech: When talking about the rematch, his speech slowed, and he hesitated. But when he talked about his old featherweight division—his comfort zone—his voice sped up, and the old confidence returned instantly!
The Golden Rule of Reading People: Its All About the Baseline! 📏
So, does this mean Nate Diaz, who was quiet and reserved, was less confident? No! And this is the most important lesson for any professional.
You cannot read people in a vacuum. You must compare them to their own baseline.
Nate's baseline is quiet and stoic. For him, that is confidence. Conor's baseline is loud, expansive, and specific. The key isn't what they're doing, but the shift away from their normal behavior.
For Conor, the shift to being more subdued and vague was a major tell that his legendary confidence had taken a hit. For Nate, staying cool and calm was his tell of confidence.
Your Actionable Takeaway: Start paying attention to the baseline behavior of your colleagues, your boss, and your clients. How do they normally speak and act? Once you know their baseline, you can spot the subtle shifts that reveal their true mental and emotional state, giving you a powerful advantage in any professional setting. 🚀
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