TODN Presents
Change SIG (Special Interest Group)
The Neuroscience of Confidence:
Beyond "Fake It Till You Make It"
with
Ashley Emmons, LCMHC CRC
&
Merrill Wood, LCMHC
______________________________
Let's start 2026 with real confidence...not the fake kind!
Confidence isn't a personality trait; it's a skill you can practice. In this interactive session, we'll move past the tired "fake it till you make it" advice and explore the neuroscience behind real, sustainable confidence. You'll learn how to recognize your confidence bank account, understand what drains it, and begin using it more effectively in moments that matter.
Rooted in science and brought to life through hands-on practice, this session is designed to help you show up with greater clarity, calm, and confidence in your leadership.
As a participant you can expect to take away these valuable nuggets/reminders for immediate use:
1. Resilient confidence that holds under pressure is a skill, not a trait. It’s accessible to everyone.
2. When you’re under pressure, your nervous system isn’t sabotaging you; it’s trying to protect you, and you can learn to work with it.
3. Confidence isn’t built on successful outcomes, nor does making a mistake have to sabotage your confidence.
This presentation is a perfect first of the year jump-start for HR professionals, OD consultants, and anyone navigating complex human dynamics at work.
Three questions this presentation will help you answer:
1. What is the “confidence bank account,” and how can I build or protect it in daily work situations?
2. Why do I feel physically hijacked during high-stress moments, and how can I turn my body into an ally instead of an enemy?
3. How can I support myself and others in building real, sustainable confidence needed for growth or change, without needing to be loud, outgoing, or fake?
Our Presenters
Ashley Emmons, LCMHC CRC
Merrill Wood, LCMHC
Ashley Emmons and Merrill Wood are the co-founders of Monday Wellness, where they help impact driven organizations build confident, connected, and human- centered workplaces. Blending therapeutic insight with strategic consulting, they design professional development experiences that support both high achieving performance and well-being.
With backgrounds in psychotherapy, business coaching, nonprofit leadership, and corporate consulting, Ashley and Merrill bring deep expertise in navigating stress, preventing burnout, developing psychological safety, and effective leadership communication. Ashley is the creator of the Confidence Fingerprint Framework, helping individuals lead with authenticity. Merrill specializes in executive coaching and organizational change rooted in relational trust and inclusion. Known for their warm, honest, and trauma-informed approach, they empower leaders and teams to reflect, connect, and take meaningful action because confidence isn't about performing; it's about leading from who you truly are.
About TODN’s Change SIG
Change SIG is a special interest group within the Triangle Organization Development Network (TODN), offering programs focused on supporting OD practitioners in leading and creating change.
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