I’ve noticed something in a lot of people... ...especially in interviews or day-to-day conversations. They lose confidence the moment the other person’s reaction doesn’t align with what they expected. You could be saying all the right things, with a strong tone, clear delivery, and solid body language, but one blank stare or uninterested expression and it throws everything off. - You start second guessing yourself. - You change how you speak. - You rush your words just to fill the silence. It’s not that you suddenly became less capable. It’s that your confidence was relying on their response. You’ll see it in interviews, networking events, even normal conversations. When the other person doesn’t nod, smile, or react the way you hoped, your energy drops. You start performing instead of expressing. But that’s the problem. If your confidence depends on how someone reacts, it isn’t grounded. You’re seeking validation, not connection. 🟥 Question 1: How do you usually respond when someone doesn’t react the way you expect? Do you stay composed or start to adjust yourself? 🟥 Question 2: Why do you think so many people’s confidence changes based on other people’s reactions? Write your thoughts below ⬇️

The previous challenge got great response, it’s good to see that people are taking action instead of just consuming. Now this takes me to Challenge 2. For that… Let me ask you something - have you ever recorded yourself speaking and then cringed when you played it back? Chances are, it wasn't what you said that made you cringe. It was how you said it. Because here's the brutal truth about filler words: Every time you say "um," "uh," "like," or "you know," you're telling the listener that you're not prepared, not confident, and not worth taking seriously. I know that sounds harsh, but think about it. When someone is constantly saying "um" during a presentation or "like" every other word in a conversation, what's your first impression? EXACTLY. But here’s why this matters more than you think: Filler words don't just make you sound unprepared - they actually make you think less clearly. Your brain gets lazy because it knows it can just throw in an "um" whenever it needs time to think. But when you eliminate filler words, something incredible happens... You start thinking more precisely. You start speaking with intention. And most importantly… people start listening to you with more attention. “But how can I solve this?” Introducing… The Complete Filler Word Elimination System: Step 1: Awareness Phase For the next 3 days, I want you to become hyper-aware of your filler words. Don't try to stop them yet, just notice them. Ask a friend to count them during one 5-minute conversation. Step 2: The Pause Method (refer to lesson 1) Instead of saying "um"... pause. Silence feels longer to you than to the listener. A 2-second pause makes you sound thoughtful, not stupid. Step 3: Slow Down Most filler words happen because we're trying to talk faster than we can think. Slow down your speech by 20%. Give your brain time to catch up. Step 4: Practice Out Loud Record yourself having a conversation or giving a presentation. Listen back and count the filler words. Do this daily for two weeks, and you’ll be shocked on how fast you improved.

Assalamu Alaikum, My name is Ally and i am from the UK. I'm currently on my final year of secondary. I joined this community so i can have the opportunity to boost my soft skills in preparation for interviews that will come up in the future.