Most learning programs are judged by one question: Did people learn the content?
But what if that’s the wrong question?

In her latest article for Training & Development Magazine, Alicia Lykos challenges a long-standing assumption in L&D: that competence automatically leads to performance. Drawing on real workplace examples and behavioural science, she argues that the real driver of impact isn’t what people know—it’s whether they have the confidence to act when it matters.

This article reframes confidence not as a personality trait, but as a design outcome—something learning professionals can intentionally build through relevance, practice, support, and recognition. It also offers practical ways to measure confidence, connect it to ROI, and embed it into learning strategy without abandoning competence.

If you’ve ever delivered a great program only to see old behaviours resurface weeks later, this is a must-read. It’s insightful, practical, and highly relevant for anyone designing learning, developing leaders, or trying to turn training into real performance.