Why Confidence Became My Life’s Work

Across coaching countless leaders, managers, and salespeople, I noticed the same thing:

Those who were confident always figured it out.
Those who weren’t… didn’t.

Early in my career, I taught processes, word tracks, scripts, strategies, and systems. Many used them. But only the confident executed consistently, boldly, and with conviction.

And they always came back and told me the same thing:

“You didn’t just teach me what to do, you gave me the confidence to do it.”

That’s when it clicked:

Confidence wasn’t just another topic… it was the topic.

Every win in leadership, performance, sales, communication, and culture flows from it.

Confidence is the foundation.
Confidence is the multiplier.
Confidence is the catalyst.

That truth became my mission, and the center of everything I teach today.

A Career Built on Real-World Experience

My career has taken me through some of the most demanding and people-driven industries:

• Automotive
• Marine
• Financial services
• Consulting
• Manufacturing
• Insurance
• Equipment & agriculture
• Architecture, engineering & construction
• Professional services

I’ve built teams, launched initiatives, opened markets, rebuilt divisions, and carried responsibility long before I felt ready, and succeeded because confidence makes you ready.

Some of the most meaningful chapters for me were:

Starting my first business:
I learned that owners view time differently, and that everyone should operate like one.

Navigating major career transitions:
I learned the best opportunities aren’t the ones that show up in your feed, they’re the ones you create by going out and making an impact.

Giving my first keynote in Vegas:
I learned never to compare myself to other speakers. Serving the audience is the point. It’s not about me.

Landing my first consulting contracts:
I realized you don’t need all the answers to make an impact. You just have to lean in, put in the work, and deeply want to help.

Reflecting on what matters most:
I discovered confidence doesn’t follow growth, confidence creates growth.

I’d like to say I’m proud of what I’ve built, but I’m never satisfied. I’m a builder at heart.
And builders always ask, “What else is possible now?”

My Philosophy

Most coaches focus on skill, strategy, or mindset. I focus on the root: confidence.

Skill doesn’t matter if someone doubts themselves.
Strategy doesn’t matter if someone doesn’t act.
Mindset doesn’t matter if someone doesn’t believe.

People don’t rise to their knowledge… they rise to their belief.
Confidence is what makes belief possible.

I believe:

• People don’t care what you know if you don’t know them.
• Relationships are relationships, there’s no “personal” vs “professional.” There’s just real or not.
• All good relationships have rapport, genuine interest, and empathy, but great relationships also have mutual vulnerability.
• Most business problems are people problems, and most people problems are confidence problems in disguise.
• Confidence doesn’t come after growth. Confidence makes growth possible.
• The fruits of confidence are poise, purpose, persuasiveness, and persistence.

I also believe there are a lot of myths about confidence:

• Myth: You’re either born confident or you’re not.
Truth: Confidence is a skill.
• Myth: Confident people don’t experience fear.
Truth: Confident people feel fear and take action anyway.
• Myth: Confident people are arrogant.
Truth: Real confidence is rooted in self-acceptance, not external approval.
• Myth: Confident people are perfectionists.
Truth: Confident people value self-worth over performance and embrace imperfection.
• Myth: Confident people are always confident.
Truth: Confidence is dynamic — and must be continually supported.

Faith, Family, and What Really Matters

My faith is my foundation.

As a Christian and follower of Jesus Christ, I believe:

• Our best days are still ahead, no matter what we’re facing.
• We’re called to do great things.
• Doing right is more important than being right.
• The more you do, the more you can do… and the more you do right, the more what you do matters.

My family is my heartbeat.

Being a husband and father of five has taught me:

• Influence requires acknowledging, respecting, and enjoying the differences in people.
• Want to always beats have to.
• Care creates commitment.
• Perception is reality.
• Confidence can take a ding for no logical reason, so we have to protect it.

Outside of business, I’m serious about fun. I believe in working ridiculously hard, and also doubling down on experiences that fuel joy and resilience.

Paddleboarding, movies, cooking, the gym, sports, a drink by the fire, road trips, music, laughter—fun doesn’t just make life better; it makes us stronger.

How I Work With People

When someone works with me, I meet them where they are. I don’t force-fit a playbook. I adapt the work to their internal language, goals, mission, and culture. I join the family.

I don’t just lay the foundation for action. I help people build the poise, purpose, persuasiveness, and persistence to win.

I don’t pretend to have every answer. But together, we figure it out.

Clients often describe me as:

• prepared
• caring
• influential
• confident
• deeply invested in their success

The feedback that matters most to me sounds like:

“I am much more confident now, and feel I have tons of growth or upside in my position.”
“If you ever have the chance to work with Mike, consider yourself lucky! He will never let you down.”
“You gave me some of the best training I’ve ever gotten. I use that training every day.”
“It doesn’t feel like sales training, it feels like things I do on a daily basis, but clearer, more intentional, and more confident.”

My aim is simple: Create environments for truth-telling, vulnerability, and real work — so transformation is real, relevant, and relational.

Why Now: The Confident Reset Mission

We are in a confidence crisis.

• 93% of people believe self-confidence is critical to success.
• About 85% still report struggling with self-doubt.
• 98% perform better at work when they feel confident.
• 94% report being happier at work when confidence is high.
• Workforce confidence has dropped to historic lows.

Confidence is directly tied to engagement, loyalty, performance, and well-being.

Without confidence:

• You’re just hoping it works.
• You sell from the sidelines.
• Your team’s best work stays on the bench.
• Vision doesn’t scale.
• Strategy doesn’t stick.
• Talent stalls.
• Culture cracks under pressure.
• Knowledge goes unused.
• Imposter syndrome wins.

That’s why this is the season to step fully into The Confident Reset mission.

The Next Decade

What fires me up is watching people believe again, in their mission, their company, their work, their impact, and themselves.

Over the next decade, my goal is simple and bold:

Lead a movement for confidence in the workplace.

A movement where employers empower, equip, and exalt employees to live and work confidently.

Together, I believe we can transform the confidence of 100,000,000 employees in the next 10 years.

Because confidence doesn’t just change performance.
It changes people.
It changes families.
It changes futures.

And I believe for you, your team, and the people you lead… the best days are still ahead.