Performed Confidence

Performed confidence is strength built on shaky ground. The person appears confident, but there's an underlying fragility that shows up when they're challenged, questioned, or uncertain.

In this pattern: - Defensive reactions to feedback - Need to have the last word - Difficulty sitting with uncertainty - Subtle tension when others shine

This is not malice. It's protection — often a response to past dismissal or pain. Still, when confidence must be defended, it can quietly reduce openness and trust over time.