In this week’s Thought Sparks Podcast episode, Rita McGrath, a Columbia University Business School Professor, C-Suite strategist, business founder and best-selling author, speaks with Sharon Price John, CEO of Build-A-Bear Workshop and author of “Stories and Heart: Unlock the Power of Personal Stories to Create a Life You Love”.  This special live episode was taped at Columbia Business School, where Sharon Price John delivered a keynote as part of Columbia Women in Business’s Women’s History Month celebration. They discuss confidence, and how lack of confidence can hamper both personal and professional growth. They identify the 3 reasons for the lack of confidence – fear of failure, pursuit of perfectionism, and negative self talk – and give actionable strategies for how to overcome low self esteem. How striking the balance between confidence and competence is key to success. Thought Sparks are the brainchild of Rita McGrath. They are insightful actions, strategic ideas, actionable suggestions and innovative approaches that help organizations and leaders master the future with less fear and more confidence. New episodes of the Thought Sparks Podcast are released every other Tuesday at 11am Eastern. Want to learn more about Rita’s ideas and hear more of her conversations with business leaders and innovators? Listen to more Thought Sparks Podcast episodes on ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠  and ⁠Spotify⁠.Watch Thought Sparks episodes on ⁠YouTube⁠Follow Rita on ⁠LinkedIn⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠X⁠ and ⁠Blue Sky⁠.Connect with Rita on ⁠TikTok⁠Sign up for her Thought Sparks Newsletter on ⁠Substack⁠. Learn more about Rita, her books and ideas at RitaMcGrath.com