Bridging the Confidence Gap: Shalom Lamm on Why Even Great Entrepreneurs Sometimes Hold Back

In a world that celebrates bold founders, disruptive ideas, and fearless launches, it’s easy to believe that confidence comes naturally to all successful entrepreneurs. But the truth is, many brilliant minds and high-potential business leaders struggle behind the scenes with self-doubt and hesitation.

Entrepreneur Shalom Lamm, a respected voice in leadership and innovation, believes this “confidence gap” is one of the most underestimated obstacles facing entrepreneurs today.

“Some of the most capable founders I’ve met are also the ones second-guessing their next move,” says Lamm. “Talent and vision aren’t always the problem—belief in self often is.”

In this post, we explore why the confidence gap exists, how it holds back even the most promising entrepreneurs, and what Shalom Lamm recommends to overcome it.

What Is the Confidence Gap?

The confidence gap refers to the psychological space between competence and belief. Entrepreneurs experiencing this often:

• Over-prepare but under-launch
  
• Defer to others even when they know the answer
  
• Struggle to pitch or self-promote
  
• Delay decisions out of fear of getting it wrong
  

Interestingly, this isn’t usually due to a lack of skill. Many of these founders have the education, the idea, and even a team behind them. What they don’t have is trust in their own instincts—and that can stall progress at every level.

The Hidden Cost of Self-Doubt

According to Shalom Lamm, the cost of lacking confidence goes far beyond missed opportunities—it affects culture, speed, and growth.

“When a leader hesitates, so does the company,” he explains. “You’ll see it in product launches, investor pitches, hiring decisions—everything gets slower, and innovation suffers.”

Entrepreneurs may also miss chances to scale, pursue funding, or expand into new markets, simply because they don’t feel ready. The irony? They often are ready—but confidence hasn’t caught up with capability.

Why Do Entrepreneurs Struggle With Confidence?

1. Comparison Culture
   Social media has made it easy to compare your startup journey with someone else’s highlight reel. When you’re constantly seeing seven-figure exits and overnight success stories, it’s natural to feel like you’re behind—even if you’re doing just fine.
   
2. Imposter Syndrome
   Many entrepreneurs wrestle with feeling like they don’t belong, especially if they’re entering a new industry or stepping into a leadership role for the first time.
   
3. Fear of Failure (or Success)
   Some founders fear public failure, while others fear the pressure that comes with success. Both can cause hesitation.
   
4. Perfectionism
   Waiting until everything is perfect often masks a deeper fear: that their best effort might not be good enough. According to Lamm, this is one of the most common traps he sees among high-performing founders.
   

Shalom Lamm’s Advice for Closing the Gap

Lamm emphasizes that confidence is a skill, not a personality trait—and it can be built over time with intention and awareness.

1. Take Small, Consistent Risks

“Courage compounds,” says Lamm. “You don’t need to make one massive leap. Start with small, uncomfortable actions daily, and let that confidence grow from progress.”

2. Track the Wins

Founders often forget how far they’ve come. Lamm suggests keeping a “success file” with milestones, positive feedback, and accomplishments to revisit when doubt creeps in.

3. Build a Circle That Reflects Your Value

Confidence is contagious. Surround yourself with mentors, peers, and advisors who recognize your strengths and help you see yourself clearly.

4. Act Before You’re Ready

Lamm shares one of his core beliefs: “If you wait to feel ready, you’ve already waited too long.” Action breeds clarity—and clarity builds confidence.

5. Redefine Confidence

Confidence doesn’t mean never feeling fear—it means choosing to move forward anyway. “It’s not the loudest voice in the room,” Lamm explains. “It’s the one that keeps showing up.”

Final Thoughts: Greatness Requires Belief

Shalom Lamm reminds us that the confidence gap isn’t a flaw—it’s a very human challenge that even elite performers face. The good news? It doesn’t have to stay a gap.

“You already have what it takes. You just need to start trusting it,” says Lamm.

For entrepreneurs ready to bridge the gap, the journey doesn’t start with knowing more. It starts with believing more—and doing the work to close the distance between your potential and your self-perception.

Because at the end of the day, a great idea needs a confident voice to carry it forward.