Confidence lies at the heart of civilization. Everything about an economy, a society, an organization or a team depends on it. Every step we take, every investment we make is based on whether we can trust ourselves, and others, to accomplish what has been promised. Confidence determines whether our steps are tiny and tentative or big and bold. Using new company case studies and new leaders taken from a survey (conducted by the author) of over 1000 companies, Rosabeth Kanter Moss identifies the patterns distinguishing the dynamics of failure and success in a variety of different arenas ranging from private organizations and businesses to high schools and governments.