[choppaface]

Perhaps the idea is self-belief is more “I think I can get it done” versus “I think I’m right.” A lot of good researchers will fail every which way very quickly until finally getting somewhere that once looked impossible.

In research, this process is usually a personal one (perhaps with a lot of discussion). But in industry, a CEO is giving orders and dragging a lot of people along with what feels wrong, and the CEO isn’t in a position to show deep self-doubt if it exists.

Not sure here about the message, but am sure the wording as Sam has chosen is very poor.