Demystifying Mental Toughness 303 Why You Think the Way You Do Under Pressure
In part 2, David Charlton is again joined by Doug Strycharczyk from AQR International to explore how mental toughness shapes the way we make decisions especially when information is incomplete and pressure is high.
Doug explains that confidence is not just about believing in your skills, but also about having the interpersonal confidence to work with others, challenge ideas, and avoid the trap of groupthink. In teams and organisations, those with higher interpersonal confidence are more likely to think divergently, question assumptions, and protect ethical decision-making rather than simply follow the crowd.
The conversation then moves into "challenge" and its two key components: risk orientation and learning orientation. Some people are naturally willing to step into uncertainty, but what really separates high performers is whether they learn from what happens next.
Doug also introduces the idea of mental toughness as an enabler not an outcome. It helps explain why we behave the way we do, so that we can optimise rather than try to change who we are.
For athletes, coaches, and leaders, this episode reinforces why self-awareness, reflection, and purposeful practice sit at the heart of long-term performance.
>> Key Takeaways
· Confidence is both personal and interpersonal it affects how well we think and how well we collaborate.
· Risk-taking without learning leads nowhere growth comes from reflecting on what didn't work.
· Mental toughness isn't about being "better" it's about understanding yourself well enough to optimise performance.
DISCLAIMER: David committed a schoolboy error! Sincere apologies for the poor sound quality in parts!
If you enjoyed this episode, check out our previous podcasts on all things mental toughness:
Ep302: Doug Strycharczyk - Why You React the Way You Do Under Pressure
Ep242: Doug Strycharczyk - What Is The Difference Between Mental Toughness And Resilience
Ep001: Doug Strycharczyk – The Importance of Mental Toughness
Connect with Doug Strycharczyk:
· LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougstrycharczyk/
· Email: headoffice@aqr.co.uk
Connect with David Charlton
· Join David @ The Sports Psychology Hub