Math and Self-Confidence

In our culture — perhaps unjustifiably — one’s facility for math, or lack thereof, is often equated with the level of one’s general intelligence. Many people go through life joking about not being a ”math person,“ but deep down they’re unhappy about the difficulties they have with math. They may have a brother or sister (the “smart one” in the family) who always got better grades in math. So, ever since their school days, they think of themselves as the “dumb one in the family.” They may, in fact, be more talented and more successful than the so-called “smart” sibling, but somehow the “I’m lousy at math” label continues to carry weight. Whether you’re in your 20s, 30s, 40s, or 50s, carrying around this label isn’t exactly the best thing for your self-image. Our workshop will show employees that they can handle with confidence any quantitative problem they face. They will come to see math as a tool they have mastery over rather than something to be feared. This is empowering, and it’s not an exaggeration to say that it can increase self-esteem. It should go without saying that employees with high self-esteem are better employees.