Negative self-talk was found to have a positive impact and lead to better performance on the second round of the test. This happened possibly because it created a state of heightened attention and internal motivation. People became more alert and focused after criticizing themselves. Positive self-talk was linked to changes in brain connectivity that improved executive functions such as planning, reasoning, and decision-making. However, it also gave rise to a degree of false confidence.
We often assume that more of a "good" leadership trait is always better. More confidence will inspire, more ambition will motivate, and more authenticity will build trust. But research tells us that's not the full story. Even the best leadership qualities can backfire when taken too far. In management research, Pierce and Aguinis (2013) call this the too-much-of-a-good-thing (TMGT) effect.