166: Confidence Isn’t What You Think

What if confidence isn’t something you have… but something you build? Meet Gabriel. He spots a senior leader he admires and immediately looks away. Another missed opportunity. At work, he’s sharp, reliable, and trusted to solve complex problems. But when it comes to speaking up, especially around authority, his confidence disappears. He knows it’s holding him back, not his ability, but his voice. In this episode, Jay sits down with Erik Dominguez, a communication expert who transformed from a shy, ridiculed kid into a sought-after speaker and trainer. Together, they break down what confidence actually is, and why most people misunderstand how to build it. From separating safety from comfort to practicing communication under pressure, Erik shares practical tools to help you speak up, trust yourself, and lead with greater impact. Notable Quotes “Confidence is the ability to respond.” — Erik Dominguez “Nothing good happens in your comfort zone.” — Erik Dominguez “Communication nerves are selfish.” — Erik Dominguez “Other people can only trust you to the extent that you trust yourself.” — Erik Dominguez About Our Guest Erik Dominguez is a keynote speaker, communication trainer, and public speaking consultant with over 25 years of experience. After overcoming his own fear of speaking, he now helps leaders and teams build confidence, communicate with clarity, and develop the skills needed to lead and influence effectively. Resources & Links Erik Dominguez Website – https://erikdominguez.com/ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikjdominguez/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/erik.j.dominguez/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/erikjdominguezspeaksup YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/c/ErikDominguezSpeaks Jay Abbasi Website – https://jayabbasi.me/ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayabbasi/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/jayabbasi_/ YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@jayabbasipodcast Get Featured on “Unstuck” Want to have your story featured on “Unstuck”? Submit your story through the link below, and Jay may choose to highlight your story on a future episode and offer you personalized advice on how to overcome any challenge. Submit Your Story Join Us Next Time On Friday, Jay breaks down the one skill that consistently shows up in confident individuals. He shares exactly how to develop it, why it matters, and the practical steps you can take to become a more confident version of yourself.