What do you think?
Rate this book
Big Trust: Rewire Self-Doubt, Find Your Confidence and Fuel Success
Harness the power of self-belief and learn to back yourself, every time
'This book will change the way you lead yourself and others' Sahil Bloom
‘The playbook for learning how to make the most of your moment and overcome the doubt trying to take you down' Lewis Howes
Self-doubt. It’s the silent force that undermines potential, eats away at confidence and traps even the most capable in overthinking. You can’t outperform it, but you can rewire it.
Drawing on leading research, over a decade of work with Fortune 500 companies, and experience educating millions of professionals worldwide, Dr Shadé Zahrai reveals a proven system for breaking the cycle of self-doubt and building deep, unshakable self-trust. In Big Trust she shares her proven framework – the Four A’ Acceptance, Agency, Autonomy and Adaptability – and shows you how to take control of your inner world so you can thrive in the outer one.
With insights from her self-diagnostic quiz and actionable exercises throughout, you’ll learn
Reframe the beliefs that hold you backBreak free from people-pleasing and perfectionismQuiet comparison and imposter thoughtsStretch your comfort zone and reclaim your powerChannel emotion into clarity and conviction
Whether you’re second-guessing a big decision, overthinking in high-stakes moments or feeling stuck despite knowing you’re capable of more, Big Trust offers practical steps that lead to powerful, lasting results.
Everything you aspire to and the strength to realise it, begins with Big Trust.
Praise for Big Trust:
'Science-backed and easy to put into practice, this book hands you a game-plan that actually works. If you’re ready to stop second-guessing yourself and step into your potential, this book will show you how.' Jefferson Fisher
‘Eloquently written and insightful, this book provides a practical guide to navigating one of life’s greatest challenges – the internal battles we face within ourselves' Ethan Kross
'This book will change the way you lead yourself and others' Sahil Bloom
‘The playbook for learning how to make the most of your moment and overcome the doubt trying to take you down' Lewis Howes
Self-doubt. It’s the silent force that undermines potential, eats away at confidence and traps even the most capable in overthinking. You can’t outperform it, but you can rewire it.
Drawing on leading research, over a decade of work with Fortune 500 companies, and experience educating millions of professionals worldwide, Dr Shadé Zahrai reveals a proven system for breaking the cycle of self-doubt and building deep, unshakable self-trust. In Big Trust she shares her proven framework – the Four A’ Acceptance, Agency, Autonomy and Adaptability – and shows you how to take control of your inner world so you can thrive in the outer one.
With insights from her self-diagnostic quiz and actionable exercises throughout, you’ll learn
Reframe the beliefs that hold you backBreak free from people-pleasing and perfectionismQuiet comparison and imposter thoughtsStretch your comfort zone and reclaim your powerChannel emotion into clarity and conviction
Whether you’re second-guessing a big decision, overthinking in high-stakes moments or feeling stuck despite knowing you’re capable of more, Big Trust offers practical steps that lead to powerful, lasting results.
Everything you aspire to and the strength to realise it, begins with Big Trust.
Praise for Big Trust:
'Science-backed and easy to put into practice, this book hands you a game-plan that actually works. If you’re ready to stop second-guessing yourself and step into your potential, this book will show you how.' Jefferson Fisher
‘Eloquently written and insightful, this book provides a practical guide to navigating one of life’s greatest challenges – the internal battles we face within ourselves' Ethan Kross
334 pages
Published January 22, 2026
About the author
Shadé Zahrai
2 books62 followersDr. Shadé Zahrai is a globally recognized behavioral strategist, scholar-practitioner, and award-winning peak performance educator to Fortune 100s. An ex-Lawyer armed with a background in psychology, an MBA, and a PhD in organizational behavior, she co-leads Influenceo Global with her husband, Fayçal Sekkouah, advising Fortune 500 giants like Deloitte, Procter & Gamble, Microsoft, and JPMorgan on leadership, peak performance, and career fulfillment. Obsessed with optimizing human potential, she translates cutting-edge research into actionable strategies that drive results and is regularly invited to share her insights with many of the world’s largest and most respected companies.
With over 7 million students on LinkedIn Learning, viral educational content that has been viewed over 500 million times, and TEDx talks that have resonated worldwide, Shadé’s impact is undeniable. Featured in The New York Times, Adweek, Yahoo Finance, and Fast Company, Shadé is on a mission to make high-performance strategies accessible to anyone ready to take bold action.
Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, Shadé now calls Southeast Asia home, where she lives with her husband Fayçal and their rescue dog Bonbon, where she continues her mission to help people turn self-trust into real-world performance – at work and in life.
With over 7 million students on LinkedIn Learning, viral educational content that has been viewed over 500 million times, and TEDx talks that have resonated worldwide, Shadé’s impact is undeniable. Featured in The New York Times, Adweek, Yahoo Finance, and Fast Company, Shadé is on a mission to make high-performance strategies accessible to anyone ready to take bold action.
Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, Shadé now calls Southeast Asia home, where she lives with her husband Fayçal and their rescue dog Bonbon, where she continues her mission to help people turn self-trust into real-world performance – at work and in life.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 172 reviews
February 4, 2026
I read Big Trust as I was returning to work from maternity leave, and it ended up being exactly the reminder I needed in this season.
Coming back, it’s easy to slip into people-pleasing or feeling like you need to be everything at once—to prove you still belong, still matter, still have momentum. This book gently but clearly reframed that instinct for me.
At the core of Big Trust are three attributes that feel especially relevant right now:
• Agency — taking action even when doubt is present
• Authority — understanding that your power isn’t in doing everything, but in your unique contributions
• Autonomy — choosing how you show up based on your values, not external expectations
One line that really stuck with me:
✨ Action builds agency, and agency builds confidence.
Not perfection. Not approval. Action.
This book reminded me that confidence doesn’t come from having all the answers—it comes from trusting that you’ll figure things out along the way. And that honoring your inner authority opens the door to new opportunities, even when your priorities have shifted.
Favorite quote:
“You may not have all the answers yet, but you trust that you’ll figure it out along the way.”
As I stepped back into work, Big Trust helped me focus less on trying to be everything and more on clarifying what actually matters to me in this season—and how I want to contribute now.
If you’re returning to work, navigating a transition, or redefining success, this book is a grounding reminder that self-trust is something you build—one aligned action at a time.
Coming back, it’s easy to slip into people-pleasing or feeling like you need to be everything at once—to prove you still belong, still matter, still have momentum. This book gently but clearly reframed that instinct for me.
At the core of Big Trust are three attributes that feel especially relevant right now:
• Agency — taking action even when doubt is present
• Authority — understanding that your power isn’t in doing everything, but in your unique contributions
• Autonomy — choosing how you show up based on your values, not external expectations
One line that really stuck with me:
✨ Action builds agency, and agency builds confidence.
Not perfection. Not approval. Action.
This book reminded me that confidence doesn’t come from having all the answers—it comes from trusting that you’ll figure things out along the way. And that honoring your inner authority opens the door to new opportunities, even when your priorities have shifted.
Favorite quote:
“You may not have all the answers yet, but you trust that you’ll figure it out along the way.”
As I stepped back into work, Big Trust helped me focus less on trying to be everything and more on clarifying what actually matters to me in this season—and how I want to contribute now.
If you’re returning to work, navigating a transition, or redefining success, this book is a grounding reminder that self-trust is something you build—one aligned action at a time.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The ROI of Self-Trust:
Why "Big Trust" Is Your Most Strategic Investment This Year
-- A Product Marketer's Perspective on Dr. Shadé Zahrai's Game-Changing Framework.
----------
In my two decades driving revenue growth for B2B organisations I've learned one fundamental truth: the most expensive bottleneck in any organisation isn't technology, budget, or market conditions. It's talented people who second-guess themselves at critical moments.
Dr. Shadé Zahrai's new book, *Big Trust*, doesn't just acknowledge this problem, but systematically dismantles it.
The Business Case for Big Trust
Let me be direct: this book delivers what every executive development program promises but rarely achieves, a measurable framework for transforming self-doubt into strategic advantage.
Dr. Shadé Zahrai, a behavioural researcher with a PhD in organisational behaviour, has educated over 7 million professionals through LinkedIn Learning, her content has generated 300+ million views, and her frameworks are actively deployed in the world's most competitive organisations.
This isn't theory from an ivory tower. It's battle-tested methodology from corporate frontlines.
The Four A's: A Framework Built for Scale
What makes *Big Trust* invaluable is its elegant simplicity.
Distilling complex behavioural science into four actionable pillars, Acceptance, Agency, Autonomy, and Adaptability, Dr. Shadé Zahrai has translated a compelling framework that anyone can immediately implement.
As someone who's launched countless products, I recognise exceptional positioning when I see it. And for someone who has been following and attending her masterclass sessions, it was easy to see how *Big Trust* would help elevate both my professional and personal life.
The Verdict: A Must-Read for Anyone Building Anything Important
In B2B marketing, we're obsessed with value propositions. Here's *Big Trust*'s value prop in a few words:
Stop second-guessing yourself. Start shipping results.
Whether you're leading a team, launching a venture, or navigating your own career inflection point, this book is your strategic blueprint. Dr. Shadé Zahrai has taken insights from hundreds of thousands of high performers and distilled them into a framework that's immediately actionable, rigorously validated, and genuinely transformative.
I've read countless business books over my career. Very few combine academic rigor, practical applicability, and genuine impact the way *Big Trust* does. This belongs on every leader's desk, every entrepreneur's nightstand, and every team's required reading list.
The bottom line?
Self-doubt is expensive. Self-trust is priceless.
Dr. Shadé Zahrai just made it scalable.
Why "Big Trust" Is Your Most Strategic Investment This Year
-- A Product Marketer's Perspective on Dr. Shadé Zahrai's Game-Changing Framework.
----------
In my two decades driving revenue growth for B2B organisations I've learned one fundamental truth: the most expensive bottleneck in any organisation isn't technology, budget, or market conditions. It's talented people who second-guess themselves at critical moments.
Dr. Shadé Zahrai's new book, *Big Trust*, doesn't just acknowledge this problem, but systematically dismantles it.
The Business Case for Big Trust
Let me be direct: this book delivers what every executive development program promises but rarely achieves, a measurable framework for transforming self-doubt into strategic advantage.
Dr. Shadé Zahrai, a behavioural researcher with a PhD in organisational behaviour, has educated over 7 million professionals through LinkedIn Learning, her content has generated 300+ million views, and her frameworks are actively deployed in the world's most competitive organisations.
This isn't theory from an ivory tower. It's battle-tested methodology from corporate frontlines.
The Four A's: A Framework Built for Scale
What makes *Big Trust* invaluable is its elegant simplicity.
Distilling complex behavioural science into four actionable pillars, Acceptance, Agency, Autonomy, and Adaptability, Dr. Shadé Zahrai has translated a compelling framework that anyone can immediately implement.
As someone who's launched countless products, I recognise exceptional positioning when I see it. And for someone who has been following and attending her masterclass sessions, it was easy to see how *Big Trust* would help elevate both my professional and personal life.
The Verdict: A Must-Read for Anyone Building Anything Important
In B2B marketing, we're obsessed with value propositions. Here's *Big Trust*'s value prop in a few words:
Stop second-guessing yourself. Start shipping results.
Whether you're leading a team, launching a venture, or navigating your own career inflection point, this book is your strategic blueprint. Dr. Shadé Zahrai has taken insights from hundreds of thousands of high performers and distilled them into a framework that's immediately actionable, rigorously validated, and genuinely transformative.
I've read countless business books over my career. Very few combine academic rigor, practical applicability, and genuine impact the way *Big Trust* does. This belongs on every leader's desk, every entrepreneur's nightstand, and every team's required reading list.
The bottom line?
Self-doubt is expensive. Self-trust is priceless.
Dr. Shadé Zahrai just made it scalable.
July 6, 2026
In een wereld waarin twijfelen, vergelijken en perfectionisme vaak de boventoon voeren, laat dr. Shadé Zahrai zien dat zelfvertrouwen geen aangeboren talent is, maar een vaardigheid die je kunt ontwikkelen. Met een krachtige combinatie van wetenschappelijke inzichten, herkenbare voorbeelden en praktische oefeningen helpt zij je om beperkende overtuigingen los te laten en meer vertrouwen te krijgen in jezelf en je keuzes. Dit boek nodigt je uit om niet langer vanuit angst of onzekerheid te handelen, maar vanuit kracht, bewustzijn en zelfvertrouwen.
Big Trust is een inspirerende gids voor iedereen die zichzelf minder wil tegenhouden en meer wil leven vanuit zijn of haar eigen potentieel. Motiverend, toegankelijk en direct toepasbaar – een boek dat je aan het denken zet én in beweging brengt.
Conclusie:
Precies op het moment dat ik zelf worstelde met onzekerheid en een gebrek aan zelfvertrouwen, kwam dit boek op mijn pad. Het voelde direct als een uitnodiging om niet langer te blijven hangen in twijfel, maar om te onderzoeken waar die twijfel vandaan komt en hoe je die kunt doorbreken. Zelftwijfel is iets waar veel mensen mee worstelen en daarom sprak dit boek mij meteen aan.
Shadé Zahrai heeft een toegankelijke, warme en motiverende schrijfstijl. Ze weet complexe psychologische inzichten begrijpelijk uit te leggen zonder dat het oppervlakkig wordt. Volgens haar ligt een gebrek aan zelfvertrouwen niet in een tekort aan talent of potentie, maar in patronen van overdenken, perfectionisme, pleasen en jezelf vergelijken met anderen.
Met behulp van wetenschappelijk onderzoek, praktijkvoorbeelden en haar ervaring als gedragswetenschapper en coach biedt ze een methode om duurzaam zelfvertrouwen op te bouwen. Aan de hand van vier centrale thema's: acceptatie, eigenaarschap, autonomie en aanpassingsvermogen, laat Zahrai zien hoe je anders kunt omgaan met onzekerheid en meer vertrouwen kunt krijgen in jezelf en je keuzes.
Wat ik sterk vind aan dit boek, is dat het geen standaard adviezen geeft zoals: "Geloof gewoon in jezelf." In plaats daarvan legt Zahrai uit waar zelftwijfel vandaan komt en hoe je stap voor stap nieuw gedrag kunt ontwikkelen. De combinatie van wetenschappelijke inzichten, persoonlijke verhalen en herkenbare voorbeelden maakt het boek zowel geloofwaardig als inspirerend.
De opbouw is prettig. De hoofdstukken volgen elkaar logisch op en sluiten af met reflectievragen, oefeningen en praktische opdrachten. Daardoor blijft het niet bij theorie alleen, maar krijg je concrete handvatten om zelf aan de slag te gaan met onderwerpen als beperkende overtuigingen, perfectionisme en impostergevoelens.
Wat Big Trust onderscheidt van veel andere boeken over persoonlijke ontwikkeling, is dat Zahrai laat zien dat zelfvertrouwen niet iets is wat je eerst moet hebben voordat je in actie komt. Juist door dingen te doen, ook als je nog twijfelt, groeit je vertrouwen in jezelf. Die boodschap voelde voor mij realistisch en haalbaar. Bovendien zijn haar inzichten gebaseerd op wetenschappelijk onderzoek, wat het boek extra sterk maakt.
Big Trust is een inspirerend, motiverend en leerzaam boek dat wetenschappelijke kennis combineert met praktische toepasbaarheid. Door de toegankelijke schrijfstijl, de sterke opbouw en de concrete oefeningen is dit veel meer dan een boek dat je één keer leest en vervolgens weglegt. Het is een gids waar je regelmatig naar terug kunt grijpen wanneer zelftwijfel de overhand dreigt te krijgen. Voor mij persoonlijk bood dit boek precies wat ik hoopte te vinden: herkenning, inzicht én praktische handvatten. Hoewel zelfvertrouwen niet van de ene op de andere dag groeit, heeft het boek mij wel nieuwe inzichten gegeven en laten zien dat kleine stappen uiteindelijk een groot verschil kunnen maken. Een aanrader voor iedereen die minder wil twijfelen, meer op zichzelf wil vertrouwen en sterker in het leven wil staan.
Big Trust is een inspirerende gids voor iedereen die zichzelf minder wil tegenhouden en meer wil leven vanuit zijn of haar eigen potentieel. Motiverend, toegankelijk en direct toepasbaar – een boek dat je aan het denken zet én in beweging brengt.
Conclusie:
Precies op het moment dat ik zelf worstelde met onzekerheid en een gebrek aan zelfvertrouwen, kwam dit boek op mijn pad. Het voelde direct als een uitnodiging om niet langer te blijven hangen in twijfel, maar om te onderzoeken waar die twijfel vandaan komt en hoe je die kunt doorbreken. Zelftwijfel is iets waar veel mensen mee worstelen en daarom sprak dit boek mij meteen aan.
Shadé Zahrai heeft een toegankelijke, warme en motiverende schrijfstijl. Ze weet complexe psychologische inzichten begrijpelijk uit te leggen zonder dat het oppervlakkig wordt. Volgens haar ligt een gebrek aan zelfvertrouwen niet in een tekort aan talent of potentie, maar in patronen van overdenken, perfectionisme, pleasen en jezelf vergelijken met anderen.
Met behulp van wetenschappelijk onderzoek, praktijkvoorbeelden en haar ervaring als gedragswetenschapper en coach biedt ze een methode om duurzaam zelfvertrouwen op te bouwen. Aan de hand van vier centrale thema's: acceptatie, eigenaarschap, autonomie en aanpassingsvermogen, laat Zahrai zien hoe je anders kunt omgaan met onzekerheid en meer vertrouwen kunt krijgen in jezelf en je keuzes.
Wat ik sterk vind aan dit boek, is dat het geen standaard adviezen geeft zoals: "Geloof gewoon in jezelf." In plaats daarvan legt Zahrai uit waar zelftwijfel vandaan komt en hoe je stap voor stap nieuw gedrag kunt ontwikkelen. De combinatie van wetenschappelijke inzichten, persoonlijke verhalen en herkenbare voorbeelden maakt het boek zowel geloofwaardig als inspirerend.
De opbouw is prettig. De hoofdstukken volgen elkaar logisch op en sluiten af met reflectievragen, oefeningen en praktische opdrachten. Daardoor blijft het niet bij theorie alleen, maar krijg je concrete handvatten om zelf aan de slag te gaan met onderwerpen als beperkende overtuigingen, perfectionisme en impostergevoelens.
Wat Big Trust onderscheidt van veel andere boeken over persoonlijke ontwikkeling, is dat Zahrai laat zien dat zelfvertrouwen niet iets is wat je eerst moet hebben voordat je in actie komt. Juist door dingen te doen, ook als je nog twijfelt, groeit je vertrouwen in jezelf. Die boodschap voelde voor mij realistisch en haalbaar. Bovendien zijn haar inzichten gebaseerd op wetenschappelijk onderzoek, wat het boek extra sterk maakt.
Big Trust is een inspirerend, motiverend en leerzaam boek dat wetenschappelijke kennis combineert met praktische toepasbaarheid. Door de toegankelijke schrijfstijl, de sterke opbouw en de concrete oefeningen is dit veel meer dan een boek dat je één keer leest en vervolgens weglegt. Het is een gids waar je regelmatig naar terug kunt grijpen wanneer zelftwijfel de overhand dreigt te krijgen. Voor mij persoonlijk bood dit boek precies wat ik hoopte te vinden: herkenning, inzicht én praktische handvatten. Hoewel zelfvertrouwen niet van de ene op de andere dag groeit, heeft het boek mij wel nieuwe inzichten gegeven en laten zien dat kleine stappen uiteindelijk een groot verschil kunnen maken. Een aanrader voor iedereen die minder wil twijfelen, meer op zichzelf wil vertrouwen en sterker in het leven wil staan.
January 27, 2026
Big Trust es una de esas obras excepcionales que transforma silenciosamente la percepción que tienes de ti mismo. Desde el inicio, la Dra. Shadé Zahrai establece un diálogo honesto y profundamente empoderado; aquí no hay promesas, solo autenticidad.
En mi criterio personal, considero que lo más destacable es cómo logra fusionar la rigurosidad científica con la calidez humana. Convierte la "autoconfianza" en una habilidad práctica y tangible que puedes aplicar de inmediato. Este libro no te pide que te conviertas en alguien distinto, sino que te invita a reencontrarte con tu esencia, aportando mayor claridad, valentía y seguridad a tu vida.
¿Qué estoy aprendiendo?
* Cuestionar las creencias limitantes que impiden avanzar.
* Superar el perfeccionismo y la necesidad constante de complacer a los demás.
* Silenciar la comparación destructiva con los demás.
* Salir de la zona de confort para retomar el control de mi destino.
* Transformar las emociones en pilares de confianza y lucidez.
Mi veredicto: Big Trust es una lectura obligatoria para quienes luchamos con la duda personal. Es un recurso diseñado no solo para leer, sino para estudiar y aplicar en la búsqueda de una vida mejor.
En mi criterio personal, considero que lo más destacable es cómo logra fusionar la rigurosidad científica con la calidez humana. Convierte la "autoconfianza" en una habilidad práctica y tangible que puedes aplicar de inmediato. Este libro no te pide que te conviertas en alguien distinto, sino que te invita a reencontrarte con tu esencia, aportando mayor claridad, valentía y seguridad a tu vida.
¿Qué estoy aprendiendo?
* Cuestionar las creencias limitantes que impiden avanzar.
* Superar el perfeccionismo y la necesidad constante de complacer a los demás.
* Silenciar la comparación destructiva con los demás.
* Salir de la zona de confort para retomar el control de mi destino.
* Transformar las emociones en pilares de confianza y lucidez.
Mi veredicto: Big Trust es una lectura obligatoria para quienes luchamos con la duda personal. Es un recurso diseñado no solo para leer, sino para estudiar y aplicar en la búsqueda de una vida mejor.
January 26, 2026
A book full frameworks and exercises to help you with self doubt
I liked that the book is full of relatable stories and Shade has shared more about herself which she doesn't really share much in her social media content. What the book made me realize is that many people feel self-doubt even successful ones, I felt I was just doing that because I am so emotional and take things personally. Despite the fact that Shade has obtained a PhD her book is easy to read she is not trying to show off but help people. Each chapter includes practical exercises so if you want to apply the advice not just read a book you could do that too. Shade has also gone the extra mile to include bonuses for pre ordering the book and she is giving her time to gather raw feedback from people by organizing live events for free as a bonus. So thanks for the hard work to publish this book.
I liked that the book is full of relatable stories and Shade has shared more about herself which she doesn't really share much in her social media content. What the book made me realize is that many people feel self-doubt even successful ones, I felt I was just doing that because I am so emotional and take things personally. Despite the fact that Shade has obtained a PhD her book is easy to read she is not trying to show off but help people. Each chapter includes practical exercises so if you want to apply the advice not just read a book you could do that too. Shade has also gone the extra mile to include bonuses for pre ordering the book and she is giving her time to gather raw feedback from people by organizing live events for free as a bonus. So thanks for the hard work to publish this book.
Read
July 3, 2026Rarely does a book I read extend so far into benefitting and transforming my life, that:
1) I stay awake late at night taking that first step instead of believing “the lie of waiting until I feel ready to start” to do something I’m passionate about (ie becoming a content creator on social media).
2) make me radically change my notion of self worth so much that I went from accepting “I have great difficulty loving myself” to actually thinking “I am worthy and enough just as I am” AND believing it after reading the section on Acceptance with my book light and my boyfriend fast asleep beside me.
3) make me realize I can enjoy hobbies that have no productive value and that this actually will benefit me and my well-being and productivity: because then I’m not so fixated on my worth being tied to mostly my performance at work (which it was and I badly always read mostly self help books because reading fiction or god forbid playing Pokemon on my boyfriend’s Nintendo DS for pure fun seemed foolish and a waste of time, which I am still slowly disbelieving). Thanks for quoting the study on Nobel prize winning scientists Shadé! That study really hit the nail on the head in building this belief for me!
4) make me realize how much I was and still am sabotaging my own success from tangible scores in a simple 12 question Doubt profile questionnaire in the beginning: for those curious, I scored in the red alert zone for Acceptance (which I already suspected but had not known for certain before), so-so zone for agency, hidden strength zone for autonomy (which I kinda suspected too, given my core belief about my actions mattering a great deal in me being the author who ultimate shapes my life story), and hindrance zone for adaptability (which I also suspected given managing emotions well and emotional intelligence were never modelled to me as a child).
5) made me believe I can build Big Trust one small step at a time and giving me concrete strategies to do so. I especially loved the idea of thinking of hitting back the ball every time you have thoughts of doubt (eg your inner deceivers) with an imaginary baseball bat and thinking “thanks but no thanks”. Or the suggestion of talking back to your inner deceivers “hey classic judge, I appreciate you’re only trying to help me, but respectfully, back off”. I loved the 4 inner deceivers section so much, because I saw so much of my own mind’s monologue in them.
I only started reading this book because I loved Dr Shadé Zahrai’s episode on the Mel Robbins podcast so much, and after listening to her on the podcast, I knew I had to get the book.
Even with my very high expectations, Shadé and Fayçal delivered phenomenally. I can truly say this book has transformed my life and helped me realize 1) I am enough and worthy 2) whatever comes my way, I can handle this 3) my choices matter and 4) my emotions are merely messengers that can be managed in many ways and do not define my identity.
This book will have a prized place on my bookshelf. I already know I need to reread the section on Acceptance regularly because I feel some of my old thought patterns creeping back. But that’s more than ok. Because Big Trust (having high levels of the 4 attributes Acceptance, Agency, Autonomy, and Adaptability) is not built in one big grand moment, as Shadé wrote, but instead it is built in small incremental daily steps that change how you show up in all aspects of your life.
Thank you so much Shadé and Fayçal. I hope one day I can meet you and thank you in person for all the immense good you have given me and so many others. Well done!!
1) I stay awake late at night taking that first step instead of believing “the lie of waiting until I feel ready to start” to do something I’m passionate about (ie becoming a content creator on social media).
2) make me radically change my notion of self worth so much that I went from accepting “I have great difficulty loving myself” to actually thinking “I am worthy and enough just as I am” AND believing it after reading the section on Acceptance with my book light and my boyfriend fast asleep beside me.
3) make me realize I can enjoy hobbies that have no productive value and that this actually will benefit me and my well-being and productivity: because then I’m not so fixated on my worth being tied to mostly my performance at work (which it was and I badly always read mostly self help books because reading fiction or god forbid playing Pokemon on my boyfriend’s Nintendo DS for pure fun seemed foolish and a waste of time, which I am still slowly disbelieving). Thanks for quoting the study on Nobel prize winning scientists Shadé! That study really hit the nail on the head in building this belief for me!
4) make me realize how much I was and still am sabotaging my own success from tangible scores in a simple 12 question Doubt profile questionnaire in the beginning: for those curious, I scored in the red alert zone for Acceptance (which I already suspected but had not known for certain before), so-so zone for agency, hidden strength zone for autonomy (which I kinda suspected too, given my core belief about my actions mattering a great deal in me being the author who ultimate shapes my life story), and hindrance zone for adaptability (which I also suspected given managing emotions well and emotional intelligence were never modelled to me as a child).
5) made me believe I can build Big Trust one small step at a time and giving me concrete strategies to do so. I especially loved the idea of thinking of hitting back the ball every time you have thoughts of doubt (eg your inner deceivers) with an imaginary baseball bat and thinking “thanks but no thanks”. Or the suggestion of talking back to your inner deceivers “hey classic judge, I appreciate you’re only trying to help me, but respectfully, back off”. I loved the 4 inner deceivers section so much, because I saw so much of my own mind’s monologue in them.
I only started reading this book because I loved Dr Shadé Zahrai’s episode on the Mel Robbins podcast so much, and after listening to her on the podcast, I knew I had to get the book.
Even with my very high expectations, Shadé and Fayçal delivered phenomenally. I can truly say this book has transformed my life and helped me realize 1) I am enough and worthy 2) whatever comes my way, I can handle this 3) my choices matter and 4) my emotions are merely messengers that can be managed in many ways and do not define my identity.
This book will have a prized place on my bookshelf. I already know I need to reread the section on Acceptance regularly because I feel some of my old thought patterns creeping back. But that’s more than ok. Because Big Trust (having high levels of the 4 attributes Acceptance, Agency, Autonomy, and Adaptability) is not built in one big grand moment, as Shadé wrote, but instead it is built in small incremental daily steps that change how you show up in all aspects of your life.
Thank you so much Shadé and Fayçal. I hope one day I can meet you and thank you in person for all the immense good you have given me and so many others. Well done!!
July 3, 2026
Written by a PhD dealing with her own times of self-doubt, this is a self-help book that defines three elements of “big trust”: agency (taking action even when you doubt yourself), authority (understanding you can’t control everything so focus on what you can), and autonomy (only you can decide how you will show up, not others). I went back and forth on this one - some BRILLIANT points I absolutely loved, and then some slower parts where it felt like there were just a ton of platitudes. I do think there’s something for everyone in here (psychology studies, individual examples, tactical “do this instead of that” guides, and even cute little cartoons) but it kind of meandered as a result. Still - I’ve already recommended it to a colleague and will probably continue to do so!
March 29, 2026
Big trust
“You don't overcome self-doubt by silencing it-though that’s what too many of us believe. You take away its power by noticing it, understanding it, and changing
your relationship to it. You unhook from self-doubt when you see it for what it is: a misguided attempt to protect you. That's the irony. Self doubt isn't trying to sabotage you; it's trying to shield you.”
- Shade Zahrai and Faycal Sekkouah.
- Big trust 📖
🧠
In this life changing non fiction work authors introduce a framework to free readers from the shackles of self doubt and live their lives to the full potential. Author introduce four attributes to measure what they call our “doubt profile”, each attribute can be understood with the question as following-
1. Acceptance- am I worthy ?
2. Agency - do I trust my potential?
3. Autonomy- can I shape my path independently?
4. Adaptability- are my emotions under my control ?
According to authors these four attributes majorly shape our self image or self identity. Over the course of time our brain shapes an image of ourselves which are consolidated by our conceived notions about ourselves. Our beliefs are so deeply rooted in our minds that we trust these beliefs and make a wrong assessment of our personality, identity and potential.
In 21 chapters authors discuss these attributes, their roles and exercises and mindset to fix our self image. Backed with research and filled with inspiring stories authors introduce an antidote to self doubt which is “Big Trust”, with Big trust authors have tried to create a framework that if applied correctly can transform our lives from doubt to belief.
🧠
I find this book extremely relatable, as someone who often battle with self doubt and low self esteem there were many quotes and lessons from this book that resonated with me. Authors have quoted multiple studies with stories from their clients and from their own lives that back the framework introduced in this book. Even though there is nothing new in the book and most of the concepts are already there on Internet still I find this book is very well researched. Those who have decent knowledge of psychology and human behaviour might find this book basic. I really like the idea of “Big Trust” which basically means turning your fear into strength, rewiring your self identity, rebuild your esteem and uplift your confidence. It’s all in the head after all, we just need to figure things out. I think authors have done a brilliant job in explaining the problem of self doubt, even though I didn’t the find the solutions so effective still I believe that it’s completely a practical thing. Building self belief is a work in progress, it can’t be done by reading a book or memorising some concepts. It’s a thing to act upon, to gradually gain confidence in yourself and working relentless towards building a strong identity. if you’re struggling with self esteem, self identity and self image this isa perfect book to start with. Highly recommended to beginners.
“You don't overcome self-doubt by silencing it-though that’s what too many of us believe. You take away its power by noticing it, understanding it, and changing
your relationship to it. You unhook from self-doubt when you see it for what it is: a misguided attempt to protect you. That's the irony. Self doubt isn't trying to sabotage you; it's trying to shield you.”
- Shade Zahrai and Faycal Sekkouah.
- Big trust 📖
🧠
In this life changing non fiction work authors introduce a framework to free readers from the shackles of self doubt and live their lives to the full potential. Author introduce four attributes to measure what they call our “doubt profile”, each attribute can be understood with the question as following-
1. Acceptance- am I worthy ?
2. Agency - do I trust my potential?
3. Autonomy- can I shape my path independently?
4. Adaptability- are my emotions under my control ?
According to authors these four attributes majorly shape our self image or self identity. Over the course of time our brain shapes an image of ourselves which are consolidated by our conceived notions about ourselves. Our beliefs are so deeply rooted in our minds that we trust these beliefs and make a wrong assessment of our personality, identity and potential.
In 21 chapters authors discuss these attributes, their roles and exercises and mindset to fix our self image. Backed with research and filled with inspiring stories authors introduce an antidote to self doubt which is “Big Trust”, with Big trust authors have tried to create a framework that if applied correctly can transform our lives from doubt to belief.
🧠
I find this book extremely relatable, as someone who often battle with self doubt and low self esteem there were many quotes and lessons from this book that resonated with me. Authors have quoted multiple studies with stories from their clients and from their own lives that back the framework introduced in this book. Even though there is nothing new in the book and most of the concepts are already there on Internet still I find this book is very well researched. Those who have decent knowledge of psychology and human behaviour might find this book basic. I really like the idea of “Big Trust” which basically means turning your fear into strength, rewiring your self identity, rebuild your esteem and uplift your confidence. It’s all in the head after all, we just need to figure things out. I think authors have done a brilliant job in explaining the problem of self doubt, even though I didn’t the find the solutions so effective still I believe that it’s completely a practical thing. Building self belief is a work in progress, it can’t be done by reading a book or memorising some concepts. It’s a thing to act upon, to gradually gain confidence in yourself and working relentless towards building a strong identity. if you’re struggling with self esteem, self identity and self image this isa perfect book to start with. Highly recommended to beginners.
Read
April 9, 2026Recently picked up "Big Trust" and it turned out to be one of those books that quietly stays with you after you put it down.
What really stood out to me is how it frames self-doubt—not as something dramatic, but as that subtle voice in the background that makes you hesitate, overthink, or question yourself more than you need to. And instead of trying to “eliminate” it, the book gently shifts your perspective toward understanding it and building self-trust alongside it.
The framework around Acceptance, Agency, Autonomy, and Adaptability helped me see where my doubts tend to show up, instead of just feeling stuck in a vague cycle. It made things feel more… workable.
I also really appreciated how personal and relatable it felt. There are a lot of real-life stories (including from the author herself), which made it clear that self-doubt shows up for everyone—even people who seem to have it all figured out.
What makes this book stand out, though, is that it’s not just a “thinking” book—it’s very much a doing book. Each chapter includes practical exercises, reflections, and small practices you can actually apply in your day-to-day life. It almost feels like a kind of “guide” or gentle roadmap helping you figure out where you are and what to work on next.
I’ve already found myself trying a few of the exercises and noticing small shifts in how I respond to certain thoughts. Nothing drastic, but enough to feel like change is actually possible.
Overall, it’s a calm, supportive, and actionable read. The kind I’ll probably come back to—not just to reread, but to keep practicing.
Would definitely recommend it if you ever feel stuck in your own head or want to build a bit more trust in yourself, step by step.
What really stood out to me is how it frames self-doubt—not as something dramatic, but as that subtle voice in the background that makes you hesitate, overthink, or question yourself more than you need to. And instead of trying to “eliminate” it, the book gently shifts your perspective toward understanding it and building self-trust alongside it.
The framework around Acceptance, Agency, Autonomy, and Adaptability helped me see where my doubts tend to show up, instead of just feeling stuck in a vague cycle. It made things feel more… workable.
I also really appreciated how personal and relatable it felt. There are a lot of real-life stories (including from the author herself), which made it clear that self-doubt shows up for everyone—even people who seem to have it all figured out.
What makes this book stand out, though, is that it’s not just a “thinking” book—it’s very much a doing book. Each chapter includes practical exercises, reflections, and small practices you can actually apply in your day-to-day life. It almost feels like a kind of “guide” or gentle roadmap helping you figure out where you are and what to work on next.
I’ve already found myself trying a few of the exercises and noticing small shifts in how I respond to certain thoughts. Nothing drastic, but enough to feel like change is actually possible.
Overall, it’s a calm, supportive, and actionable read. The kind I’ll probably come back to—not just to reread, but to keep practicing.
Would definitely recommend it if you ever feel stuck in your own head or want to build a bit more trust in yourself, step by step.
Read
April 8, 2026A Transformative Read That Arrived Exactly When I Needed It
This book by Dr Shade Zahrai came into my life at the perfect moment. I was caught in a cycle of pain, discomfort, and negative thinking — the kind of mental spiral that makes everything feel heavier than it is. Opening this book shifted my perspective almost immediately. It offered not just insight but genuine hope, and it rekindled a sense of enthusiasm for life and its challenges.
What impressed me most was how accessible and compassionate Dr Zahrai’s approach is. Even before fully implementing the practical tools and strategies she outlines, I noticed a real improvement in my self‑doubt score. That alone speaks volumes. It makes me excited to imagine the progress I’ll make as I continue applying her methods more intentionally throughout the year.
What I appreciate deeply is that this book doesn’t pretend self-confidence means eliminating self-doubt. Instead, it teaches you to acknowledge it, understand it, and work with it — embracing the four attributes Dr Zahrai explains so clearly, supported by vivid examples from her own life and the experiences of both everyday people and well‑known figures.
I’m genuinely grateful for this book. It feels like a companion for anyone committed to self‑improvement, resilience, and personal growth. Dr Zahrai’s wisdom, clarity, and authenticity shine through every chapter. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking a meaningful, uplifting, and practical guide to building confidence from the inside out.
This book by Dr Shade Zahrai came into my life at the perfect moment. I was caught in a cycle of pain, discomfort, and negative thinking — the kind of mental spiral that makes everything feel heavier than it is. Opening this book shifted my perspective almost immediately. It offered not just insight but genuine hope, and it rekindled a sense of enthusiasm for life and its challenges.
What impressed me most was how accessible and compassionate Dr Zahrai’s approach is. Even before fully implementing the practical tools and strategies she outlines, I noticed a real improvement in my self‑doubt score. That alone speaks volumes. It makes me excited to imagine the progress I’ll make as I continue applying her methods more intentionally throughout the year.
What I appreciate deeply is that this book doesn’t pretend self-confidence means eliminating self-doubt. Instead, it teaches you to acknowledge it, understand it, and work with it — embracing the four attributes Dr Zahrai explains so clearly, supported by vivid examples from her own life and the experiences of both everyday people and well‑known figures.
I’m genuinely grateful for this book. It feels like a companion for anyone committed to self‑improvement, resilience, and personal growth. Dr Zahrai’s wisdom, clarity, and authenticity shine through every chapter. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking a meaningful, uplifting, and practical guide to building confidence from the inside out.
April 6, 2026
I picked up "Big Trust" by Shade Zahrai after already gaining value from her impactful coaching across social media. Her consistent, insightful guidance on personal and professional growth built a foundation of trust in her genuine mission, to elevate and empower others.
Coming off a recent career transition from an unsupported environment, I found myself questioning my own belief system and direction. This book arrived at exactly the right time. What resonated most was its ability to turn internal struggles into actionable solutions—tools that can be applied in both professional and personal arenas to rebuild confidence, reconnect with your authentic self, and push past the self-doubt that often stands in the way of meaningful goals.
"Big Trust" isn’t just a book, it’s a reset. A reminder that growth begins within, and that belief in yourself can be strengthened with the right mindset and guidance. The impact it’s already had on me has been undeniable, and it’s why I’ve confidently recommended it to my personal training clients, many of whom have already seen the difference in my energy and perspective.
Coming off a recent career transition from an unsupported environment, I found myself questioning my own belief system and direction. This book arrived at exactly the right time. What resonated most was its ability to turn internal struggles into actionable solutions—tools that can be applied in both professional and personal arenas to rebuild confidence, reconnect with your authentic self, and push past the self-doubt that often stands in the way of meaningful goals.
"Big Trust" isn’t just a book, it’s a reset. A reminder that growth begins within, and that belief in yourself can be strengthened with the right mindset and guidance. The impact it’s already had on me has been undeniable, and it’s why I’ve confidently recommended it to my personal training clients, many of whom have already seen the difference in my energy and perspective.
February 23, 2026
Till now i have read this book till chapter 1. Based on that , i found some habits that i already knew or practicing , while some takeaways are new to me.
1) Already practiced habits :
(a) stimulus control for worry
(b) Anchor of friend or someone else in case of self doubt or overthinking : back then 1.5 - 2
years ago , i used to overthink a lot , self doubting and second guessing my every decision. Then , one day a thought popped up that " if my friend were in the same position as that of me , what would i advice them ? "
And, then ans became clear , but the question is why ? Because , this anchor removed the personal bias lingering to decision making.
With time this anchor withered away gradually. Now, i take decision without this anchor , because i have developed self trust.
And, when i read sadia's anecdote , it clicked me that i used to do the same back then.
2) New takeaways :
(a) stop labelling yourself with your self doubts , emotions or thoughts. e.g. instead of saying i am frustrated , say i am feeling frustrated. And, do remember ' you are not your self doubts and your doubts don't define you .'
(b) our brain craves certainty , but contrastingly things in present world are far more
complicated and environment around us is delayed return environment.
(c) call out confabulation and shift the focus
Apart from these takeaways , there are two more things. First , this book explains the things with interactive sketches . Second, this book helps you to introspect via real and pragmatic questions questions, anecdotes and methods without any motivational fluff.
I used to introspect or reflect mostly with positive tone questions. Contrastingly , this books has slightly discomforting yet necessary questions or methods to do the same. But, the question is why it is necessary ? because it removes the disguised fear and breaks the pattern of thoughts that are unconsciously lingering around you fear. Most of them are not even real but perceived by you as real threats. It reshapes thinking not by adding positivity but by removing distortion of unconsciously perceived threats.
My thought behind positive tone is to focus more on what to do rather than what not to do. while the approach in this book that is new to me is to confront the fear and take it head on like a bison takes the storm.
These two are complementary routes or ways to same destination i.e. BIG TRUST.
1) Already practiced habits :
(a) stimulus control for worry
(b) Anchor of friend or someone else in case of self doubt or overthinking : back then 1.5 - 2
years ago , i used to overthink a lot , self doubting and second guessing my every decision. Then , one day a thought popped up that " if my friend were in the same position as that of me , what would i advice them ? "
And, then ans became clear , but the question is why ? Because , this anchor removed the personal bias lingering to decision making.
With time this anchor withered away gradually. Now, i take decision without this anchor , because i have developed self trust.
And, when i read sadia's anecdote , it clicked me that i used to do the same back then.
2) New takeaways :
(a) stop labelling yourself with your self doubts , emotions or thoughts. e.g. instead of saying i am frustrated , say i am feeling frustrated. And, do remember ' you are not your self doubts and your doubts don't define you .'
(b) our brain craves certainty , but contrastingly things in present world are far more
complicated and environment around us is delayed return environment.
(c) call out confabulation and shift the focus
Apart from these takeaways , there are two more things. First , this book explains the things with interactive sketches . Second, this book helps you to introspect via real and pragmatic questions questions, anecdotes and methods without any motivational fluff.
I used to introspect or reflect mostly with positive tone questions. Contrastingly , this books has slightly discomforting yet necessary questions or methods to do the same. But, the question is why it is necessary ? because it removes the disguised fear and breaks the pattern of thoughts that are unconsciously lingering around you fear. Most of them are not even real but perceived by you as real threats. It reshapes thinking not by adding positivity but by removing distortion of unconsciously perceived threats.
My thought behind positive tone is to focus more on what to do rather than what not to do. while the approach in this book that is new to me is to confront the fear and take it head on like a bison takes the storm.
These two are complementary routes or ways to same destination i.e. BIG TRUST.
February 18, 2026
Big Trust is a practical, research-backed guide to understanding self-doubt and transforming it into deep, grounded self-trust rather than fake, performative confidence. Drawing on psychology, leadership research, and years of work with Fortune 500 companies, Shadé Zahrai and Philip Faysal Sekkouah introduce the core pillars for rewiring the beliefs and habits that keep you stuck.
What I really appreciated is how actionable the book is: self-diagnostic tools, reflective questions, and exercises help you identify your own “doubt profile” and see exactly where self-doubt hooks into your patterns—whether that’s people-pleasing, perfectionism, comparison, or imposter thoughts. The tone is compassionate but firm; it doesn’t tell you to “just be confident,” but instead shows how to build trust in yourself through small, consistent shifts in mindset and behavior. The ideas around seeing hope as “forward-facing trust” and learning to act even when doubt is present felt especially powerful.
While some examples and affirmations lean a bit toward familiar self-help territory, the overall framework is clear, grounded, and genuinely useful—particularly if you like psychologically informed, science-backed personal development. A great pick if you’re tired of overthinking, second-guessing your decisions, or holding back in work and life, and want practical tools to build real inner confidence rather than chasing perfection.
What I really appreciated is how actionable the book is: self-diagnostic tools, reflective questions, and exercises help you identify your own “doubt profile” and see exactly where self-doubt hooks into your patterns—whether that’s people-pleasing, perfectionism, comparison, or imposter thoughts. The tone is compassionate but firm; it doesn’t tell you to “just be confident,” but instead shows how to build trust in yourself through small, consistent shifts in mindset and behavior. The ideas around seeing hope as “forward-facing trust” and learning to act even when doubt is present felt especially powerful.
While some examples and affirmations lean a bit toward familiar self-help territory, the overall framework is clear, grounded, and genuinely useful—particularly if you like psychologically informed, science-backed personal development. A great pick if you’re tired of overthinking, second-guessing your decisions, or holding back in work and life, and want practical tools to build real inner confidence rather than chasing perfection.
Currently Reading
February 24, 2026I've discovered Shadé's work on LinkedIn. Her mini-courses have been a source of learning and reinforcement of being on the journey that I needed to be. We even interacted on one of her posts some years back--she took the time to respond, which speaks volume to the kind of human that she is.
I must have watched most of her interviews in the book's promotional tour, which only touched on the surface of what this book is.
To me, it's the final answer to what I've been struggling to uncover for a long time. I've been searching and discovering answers to my struggles, using frameworks and techniques I've learned from the many experts I met in my journey. All of the progress I made brought me to this point, meeting Shadé's book at the right time, unlocking the bedrock questions I couldn't before.
It takes a lot of courage to explore so deep to get to the bedrock, assess and build up. The Doubt Profile revealed information I did not expect. And the book is providing me with the right framework and tools to work on what I need to. It is one thing to wonder in the darkness hypothesizing of what needs to be done, and another one having clear science-backed guidelines on what to do.
Thank you, Shadé for this gift you provided to the world at large, and me, personally!
PS In the spirit of the book, I'll share the review w/o looking for an AI polish, second-guessing, etc. I must trust my stream of consciousness.
I must have watched most of her interviews in the book's promotional tour, which only touched on the surface of what this book is.
To me, it's the final answer to what I've been struggling to uncover for a long time. I've been searching and discovering answers to my struggles, using frameworks and techniques I've learned from the many experts I met in my journey. All of the progress I made brought me to this point, meeting Shadé's book at the right time, unlocking the bedrock questions I couldn't before.
It takes a lot of courage to explore so deep to get to the bedrock, assess and build up. The Doubt Profile revealed information I did not expect. And the book is providing me with the right framework and tools to work on what I need to. It is one thing to wonder in the darkness hypothesizing of what needs to be done, and another one having clear science-backed guidelines on what to do.
Thank you, Shadé for this gift you provided to the world at large, and me, personally!
PS In the spirit of the book, I'll share the review w/o looking for an AI polish, second-guessing, etc. I must trust my stream of consciousness.
February 23, 2026
I recently read Big Trust by Shadé Zahrai, and it was both empowering and practical. The book speaks directly to anyone who struggles with self-doubt, overthinking, or feeling stuck despite having potential.
What I appreciated most is how clearly the author explains the psychology behind confidence. She doesn’t just say “believe in yourself.” She breaks down why self-doubt happens and gives simple, research-backed tools to overcome it. The ideas are grounded in behavioral science, yet written in a way that feels friendly and relatable.
A few reasons why this book is helpful for readers:
It offers practical exercises that you can apply immediately in daily life.
It helps reframe negative self-talk into constructive thinking.
It builds awareness around limiting beliefs and how they shape decisions.
It encourages small, consistent actions that lead to real confidence over time.
It blends science with storytelling, which makes it engaging and easy to absorb.
This is not a book filled with empty motivation. It is structured, thoughtful, and actionable. If you are looking to build genuine self-trust and step forward with more clarity and courage, this book is definitely worth reading.
What I appreciated most is how clearly the author explains the psychology behind confidence. She doesn’t just say “believe in yourself.” She breaks down why self-doubt happens and gives simple, research-backed tools to overcome it. The ideas are grounded in behavioral science, yet written in a way that feels friendly and relatable.
A few reasons why this book is helpful for readers:
It offers practical exercises that you can apply immediately in daily life.
It helps reframe negative self-talk into constructive thinking.
It builds awareness around limiting beliefs and how they shape decisions.
It encourages small, consistent actions that lead to real confidence over time.
It blends science with storytelling, which makes it engaging and easy to absorb.
This is not a book filled with empty motivation. It is structured, thoughtful, and actionable. If you are looking to build genuine self-trust and step forward with more clarity and courage, this book is definitely worth reading.
March 6, 2026
Big Trust - A transformative guide from self-doubt to real self-trust!
Big Trust, by Dr. Shadé, is really resonated with me as I was struggle with self-doubts for years, and that influenced the meaning of confidence and success in my life.
The book is not just a mindset and awareness, it is more practical and guided book to understand and acknowledge self-doubt, dig deep into the process, and transform it into a strengthen point.
What I really like is that the book have a lot of analogies which make the knowledge and the perspective views ingrained on my mind. There are also real life scenarios and cases, discussed in the book in depth, which are really resonated with me, looking at my life experiences from different angles.
I bought the audiobook and the cover version, and the both combined are amazing in a way you listen to Dr. Shadé voice while you are reading the book at the same time.
I really recommend the book for anyone who wants to rise the horizon about the topic of Self-doubt, or for those who struggle of overthinking, acceptance, adaptability, and those who struggle with their successes. Working on and Patience are the keys.
Deepest gratitude from my heart to the admired writer.
Big Trust, by Dr. Shadé, is really resonated with me as I was struggle with self-doubts for years, and that influenced the meaning of confidence and success in my life.
The book is not just a mindset and awareness, it is more practical and guided book to understand and acknowledge self-doubt, dig deep into the process, and transform it into a strengthen point.
What I really like is that the book have a lot of analogies which make the knowledge and the perspective views ingrained on my mind. There are also real life scenarios and cases, discussed in the book in depth, which are really resonated with me, looking at my life experiences from different angles.
I bought the audiobook and the cover version, and the both combined are amazing in a way you listen to Dr. Shadé voice while you are reading the book at the same time.
I really recommend the book for anyone who wants to rise the horizon about the topic of Self-doubt, or for those who struggle of overthinking, acceptance, adaptability, and those who struggle with their successes. Working on and Patience are the keys.
Deepest gratitude from my heart to the admired writer.
February 23, 2026
Rebuilding Self-Trust in a World That Feeds Self-Doubt
I pre-ordered this book the moment it became available — that’s how strongly the message resonated with me before I even turned the first page.
Big Trust is not just about confidence in the surface-level, motivational sense. It’s about rebuilding self-trust at a deeper level — especially after setbacks, overthinking, burnout, or seasons of doubt. The concept of “rewiring” self-doubt feels grounded and practical rather than fluffy or abstract.
Dr. Shadé brings clarity to something many high-performing professionals struggle with silently: knowing we’re capable, yet questioning ourselves anyway. The framing around trust — not hype, not ego, but trust — is what makes this message different. It feels sustainable.
What I appreciate most is that the tone is empowering without being unrealistic. It speaks to ambitious people who want to grow, but in a way that’s aligned with long-term success and mental resilience.
If you’ve ever achieved externally but still wrestled internally, this book will likely resonate deeply.
Highly recommended.
I pre-ordered this book the moment it became available — that’s how strongly the message resonated with me before I even turned the first page.
Big Trust is not just about confidence in the surface-level, motivational sense. It’s about rebuilding self-trust at a deeper level — especially after setbacks, overthinking, burnout, or seasons of doubt. The concept of “rewiring” self-doubt feels grounded and practical rather than fluffy or abstract.
Dr. Shadé brings clarity to something many high-performing professionals struggle with silently: knowing we’re capable, yet questioning ourselves anyway. The framing around trust — not hype, not ego, but trust — is what makes this message different. It feels sustainable.
What I appreciate most is that the tone is empowering without being unrealistic. It speaks to ambitious people who want to grow, but in a way that’s aligned with long-term success and mental resilience.
If you’ve ever achieved externally but still wrestled internally, this book will likely resonate deeply.
Highly recommended.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This book has the potential to become my first and favourite read of this year. In today’s chaotic and fast-paced lifestyle, self-doubt emerges almost inevitably. It has become a common force that slowly erodes our identity and confidence. As a result, we begin to perform below our true potential, grow less productive over time, and eventually find ourselves exhausted and uncertain of our abilities.
This book offers a powerful roadmap to overcoming self-doubt and building a strong, lasting foundation of confidence and self-trust.
Drawing on behavioural research and practical insights, the author breaks down self-sabotaging thought patterns and replaces them with a mindset of growth and self-belief.
The author creates a space for meaningful self-improvement, helping readers cultivate a confident mindset, recognize their true potential, and step beyond their comfort zones with clarity and courage. This book is a complete and timely guide for anyone who has been consumed by self-doubt and living under the weight of external validation.
This book offers a powerful roadmap to overcoming self-doubt and building a strong, lasting foundation of confidence and self-trust.
Drawing on behavioural research and practical insights, the author breaks down self-sabotaging thought patterns and replaces them with a mindset of growth and self-belief.
The author creates a space for meaningful self-improvement, helping readers cultivate a confident mindset, recognize their true potential, and step beyond their comfort zones with clarity and courage. This book is a complete and timely guide for anyone who has been consumed by self-doubt and living under the weight of external validation.
February 23, 2026
I have a bookshelf filled with leadership books from well-known authors. To be honest, some of them I revisit only for specific chapters or insights that help sharpen certain aspects of my leadership journey. “The Big Trust” by Dr. Shade Zahrai is different. It’s one of the first books you will notice on my shelf, full of bookmarks guiding me back to key topics I will continue to reflect on and apply. This book helped me uncover subtle nuances that were quietly limiting my full leadership potential.
The concepts are practical, research-based, and deeply transformational. One of the most impactful elements is the ability to define your Self-Doubt Profile and systematically reshape how you think, feel, and show up as a leader, breaking the chains of self-doubt and building authentic confidence.
More than just a leadership book, it feels like a curriculum — a reference guide that I believe belongs in every university, regardless of discipline. A must have for any leader committed to growth.
Juan Romero
Global Leader – Quality
The concepts are practical, research-based, and deeply transformational. One of the most impactful elements is the ability to define your Self-Doubt Profile and systematically reshape how you think, feel, and show up as a leader, breaking the chains of self-doubt and building authentic confidence.
More than just a leadership book, it feels like a curriculum — a reference guide that I believe belongs in every university, regardless of discipline. A must have for any leader committed to growth.
Juan Romero
Global Leader – Quality
November 9, 2025
Big Trust is the best guidebook that prepares you for the transformation you're considering, or even more interestingly, if you're already in this process, it clarifies the areas where you should start. It gently prepares you for a process that can be difficult. That's why it's important to know these simple methods (they are amazing).
This book is the best "holistic GPS": to know which strategy suits you when you know what you have to offer, yet still fail to do it. I really love the simple and warm style in which it is written, the gentle approach to the painful stages of the effects of self-doubt, and the calm guidance through exercises.
Since reading the book (as a pre-reader), I have been able to bring real value to all my relationships, both professional and personal.
I highly recommend Big Trust by Shadé Zahrai!
This book is the best "holistic GPS": to know which strategy suits you when you know what you have to offer, yet still fail to do it. I really love the simple and warm style in which it is written, the gentle approach to the painful stages of the effects of self-doubt, and the calm guidance through exercises.
Since reading the book (as a pre-reader), I have been able to bring real value to all my relationships, both professional and personal.
I highly recommend Big Trust by Shadé Zahrai!
Currently Reading
February 23, 2026Big Trust isn’t about blind confidence or motivational hype. It’s a psychologically sharp, deeply practical exploration of how self-trust is actually built — through aligned action, integrity, and the courage to stop outsourcing your authority.
Shade Zahrai articulates something many of us feel but struggle to name: that the gap between who we are and who we’re capable of becoming is often a trust gap. This book helped me recognize the subtle ways I was negotiating with my own potential — and gave me a framework to close that gap.
What makes it powerful is that it’s both compassionate and uncompromising. It doesn’t shame you for self-doubt — it shows you how to outgrow it.
This wasn’t just insightful. It was catalytic.
Highly recommended for anyone serious about growth, leadership, or reclaiming their inner authority.
Shade Zahrai articulates something many of us feel but struggle to name: that the gap between who we are and who we’re capable of becoming is often a trust gap. This book helped me recognize the subtle ways I was negotiating with my own potential — and gave me a framework to close that gap.
What makes it powerful is that it’s both compassionate and uncompromising. It doesn’t shame you for self-doubt — it shows you how to outgrow it.
This wasn’t just insightful. It was catalytic.
Highly recommended for anyone serious about growth, leadership, or reclaiming their inner authority.
February 28, 2026
Big Trust comes at a time when the 'self-help' field is noisy and overwhelming. Big Trust breaks through the noise in a calm, confident and encouraging manner.
The author offers a new approach to understanding self-doubt and to improving self-trust ('big trust'), by dividing the topic into four attributes: acceptance, agency, autonomy and adaptability. Each chapter builds on the preceeding ones. Each contains practical exercises to develop awareness of, and to improve an attribute.
While the author does provide illustrations from her personal experience, the information and approaches are based on research and principles from psychology. This includes research she conducted while undertaking her doctorate.
Clear, accessible and the result of years of academic and work-place research, Big Trust is for every person who is ready to do the work to improve their self-confidence.
The author offers a new approach to understanding self-doubt and to improving self-trust ('big trust'), by dividing the topic into four attributes: acceptance, agency, autonomy and adaptability. Each chapter builds on the preceeding ones. Each contains practical exercises to develop awareness of, and to improve an attribute.
While the author does provide illustrations from her personal experience, the information and approaches are based on research and principles from psychology. This includes research she conducted while undertaking her doctorate.
Clear, accessible and the result of years of academic and work-place research, Big Trust is for every person who is ready to do the work to improve their self-confidence.
March 6, 2026
I’m especially excited to be able to see the author give a lecture at Cambridge (I’m a long time fan and her combination of science literature with real life experiences is right up my alley). There’s so many questions I have for her, but as I went through the book and scribbled through the margins I realized the questions were introspective and something I needed to work out on my own.
Only thing I would recommend is having page number references for every time she would tell us to go back and look at a score (it’s page 20 on the hardcover).
Other that if you have any sort of self-doubt, worries about the future, or any concerns I recommend this book. It helped me journal through my problems using science-backed techniques and made me realize how I should change the energy I give towards myself + to others in my life.
Overall, recommend a stab at it.
Only thing I would recommend is having page number references for every time she would tell us to go back and look at a score (it’s page 20 on the hardcover).
Other that if you have any sort of self-doubt, worries about the future, or any concerns I recommend this book. It helped me journal through my problems using science-backed techniques and made me realize how I should change the energy I give towards myself + to others in my life.
Overall, recommend a stab at it.
March 6, 2026
I recently finished reading Big Trust by Dr. Shadé Zahrai and I would give it a solid 4 stars. The book focuses on overcoming self-doubt and building real self-trust so you can show up with confidence in your work and life. What I liked most is that it combines psychology with practical frameworks like Acceptance, Agency, Autonomy, and Adaptability, which help you manage overthinking, comparison, and imposter thoughts. 
It’s very practical and full of actionable ideas you can apply immediately, especially for professionals trying to find their voice and perform better under pressure. The only reason I’m not giving it 5 stars is that some ideas repeat quite a bit. You can honestly read the chapter headlines and dive deeper only where it feels relevant. Still, a very useful and thoughtful read.
November 9, 2025
I enjoyed reading this action-oriented book and I've already started to try some of the 'Gifts' and 'Practices'.
I enjoyed the mixture of research, personal stories and helpful exercises, often put into wonderful images. Together they made me feel like there is a real chance to change the future for myself with that knowledge and the specific practices. I love that the author summarized all the Gifts and Practices at the end of the book. It makes it a lot easier to keep track and try new ones without searching the whole book again. That said, I'll definitely read it more than once to track progress and remind myself of what's possible and important.
I absolutely recommend reading it to everyone as I believe that we all benefit from elevated self-trust and mental health in our lives.
I enjoyed the mixture of research, personal stories and helpful exercises, often put into wonderful images. Together they made me feel like there is a real chance to change the future for myself with that knowledge and the specific practices. I love that the author summarized all the Gifts and Practices at the end of the book. It makes it a lot easier to keep track and try new ones without searching the whole book again. That said, I'll definitely read it more than once to track progress and remind myself of what's possible and important.
I absolutely recommend reading it to everyone as I believe that we all benefit from elevated self-trust and mental health in our lives.
February 25, 2026
I'm generally confident in my own abilities. But a work situation had such an impact on me that I started doubting myself. Then I received an email in which Shade mentioned six Masterclasses that would address this topic. By taking these Masterclasses, I gained more self-confidence and trust.
That's why I would like to recommend everyone to buy this book, because it gives you so many tools on how to turn situations in life where you doubt yourself and think that you can't handle, you can change it into self-confidence. Your life will changes when you read this book. For me it was a gift from God that I met the author Shade Zahrai on LinkedIn: a great motivator, inspirator and above all a great personality.
That's why I would like to recommend everyone to buy this book, because it gives you so many tools on how to turn situations in life where you doubt yourself and think that you can't handle, you can change it into self-confidence. Your life will changes when you read this book. For me it was a gift from God that I met the author Shade Zahrai on LinkedIn: a great motivator, inspirator and above all a great personality.
January 31, 2026
Shadé have crafted a refreshingly unique entry into the leadership and self-improvement space. Big Trust moves beyond standard corporate tropes to offer a masterfully structured framework that prioritizes intellectual provocation and actionable insight.
While some of the more abstract concepts require a bit of focused reflection to fully digest, the thematic weight of the message is undeniable. The author successfully challenge traditional views on professional relationships, providing a fresh perspective that resonates long after the final page. It is a well-paced, innovative look at how we build and maintain the most critical currency in any environment: trust.
While some of the more abstract concepts require a bit of focused reflection to fully digest, the thematic weight of the message is undeniable. The author successfully challenge traditional views on professional relationships, providing a fresh perspective that resonates long after the final page. It is a well-paced, innovative look at how we build and maintain the most critical currency in any environment: trust.
February 7, 2026
Such a beautiful and powerful book! Dr. Shadé's content really resonated with me and I decided to pre-order Big Trust. I must say, it was one of the best decisions of my life. It is truly empowering, engaging, and practical. The interesting anecdotes, as well as the raw and authentic stories bring the science and research to life! You are encouraged to reflect and equipped to apply the tools and frameworks in your day to day life. For me, personally, it took me back to my childhood, pushing me to reflect on certain tendencies and behaviors I had never questioned before. If you are keen to build or enhance your self-trust for a fuller life, this book is for you!
May 4, 2026
This very book took me down memory lane from the very beginning of my professional career to the current timeline.
Honestly, reading this book was one of the best choices I’ve ever made in my journey. Period.
Big Trust by elucidates how you can address the self-doubt within yourself that quietly holds you back, and lead forward with a strong sense of self-trust, as well as with curiosity, clarity, courage, and conviction. I genuinely liked the way in which the book had addressed the concern of self-doubt from the very root and explained the underlying origins and intricacies vividly in the light.
Reading every chapter of this wonderful book was an introspective experience where I reflected on my experiences from the very start of my professional career till today. Interestingly, my experiences were also connected and correlated to every concept, anecdote, and reference as beautifully, elegantly explained by Dr. Shade Zahrai with simplicity.
As I traversed every single chapter, I felt as if had talked to me about the things I’ve done right, the mistakes I’ve made, and how I can do things differently the next time. The book literally reflected every single moment of my professional career to me, very clearly and vividly.
I reflected upon the things that I’ve done right, the mistakes I made, and also learned how I can engage and navigate a variety of scenarios differently to ensure I learn, implement and improve from them as I navigate in my life as well as my professional career.
Interestingly, the book also evoked my imagination of traveling from the very beginning of my professional career and, from an observer’s lens, closely observed the journey down memory lane with the author accompanying me.
In my reading sessions with this book, I strongly felt that I was part of Dr. Shade’s Session in person, where I’m seated at the front and listening to everything she said. I read every verse, word, concept, reference, and anecdote in her voice.
I love all the concepts as explained in this book, and to quote a few:
— The Stories of Joshua Bell & Mathematician George Dantzig
— Career Imprinting
— Achievement Portfolio
— Essence Qualities
— The Four Inner Deceivers
— The Power of Awe in savouring every moment
— The Four Attributes: Acceptance, Agency, Autonomy, Adaptability
— You do have the power of choice to interpret your emotions
— Groundedness (Emotional Grounding)
— Choosing your “Hard”
— Separating yourself from your emotions
— Emotional State Matrix
— Luck Surface Area
— Honoring your Inner Authority
— Play Practice with “Side Quests”
— Achievement
— Reframing Imposter Thoughts with “Yet”. (From Author Carol. S. Dweck)
Ultimately, the Experience of Reading Big Trust is truly a beautiful blend of learning, unlearning, and relearning, and after every reading session with this book, I felt humbled with gratitude, felt empowered, and strengthened my resolve in engaging every single day of my life and career!
I’d love to wholeheartedly thank in bringing this wonderful creation to this beautiful world, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book so much to the core! Thank you so much in coming into my life, and I always see you as my guiding coach, mentor, and I always come back to you to learn from your life & career journeys, to consistently and continuously improve myself both personally and professionally.
The Big Trust Philosophy is definitely going to be the guiding North Star as well as the compass for the entire humanity, on the way to progress and positive growth in their careers!
Honestly, reading this book was one of the best choices I’ve ever made in my journey. Period.
Big Trust by elucidates how you can address the self-doubt within yourself that quietly holds you back, and lead forward with a strong sense of self-trust, as well as with curiosity, clarity, courage, and conviction. I genuinely liked the way in which the book had addressed the concern of self-doubt from the very root and explained the underlying origins and intricacies vividly in the light.
Reading every chapter of this wonderful book was an introspective experience where I reflected on my experiences from the very start of my professional career till today. Interestingly, my experiences were also connected and correlated to every concept, anecdote, and reference as beautifully, elegantly explained by Dr. Shade Zahrai with simplicity.
As I traversed every single chapter, I felt as if had talked to me about the things I’ve done right, the mistakes I’ve made, and how I can do things differently the next time. The book literally reflected every single moment of my professional career to me, very clearly and vividly.
I reflected upon the things that I’ve done right, the mistakes I made, and also learned how I can engage and navigate a variety of scenarios differently to ensure I learn, implement and improve from them as I navigate in my life as well as my professional career.
Interestingly, the book also evoked my imagination of traveling from the very beginning of my professional career and, from an observer’s lens, closely observed the journey down memory lane with the author accompanying me.
In my reading sessions with this book, I strongly felt that I was part of Dr. Shade’s Session in person, where I’m seated at the front and listening to everything she said. I read every verse, word, concept, reference, and anecdote in her voice.
I love all the concepts as explained in this book, and to quote a few:
— The Stories of Joshua Bell & Mathematician George Dantzig
— Career Imprinting
— Achievement Portfolio
— Essence Qualities
— The Four Inner Deceivers
— The Power of Awe in savouring every moment
— The Four Attributes: Acceptance, Agency, Autonomy, Adaptability
— You do have the power of choice to interpret your emotions
— Groundedness (Emotional Grounding)
— Choosing your “Hard”
— Separating yourself from your emotions
— Emotional State Matrix
— Luck Surface Area
— Honoring your Inner Authority
— Play Practice with “Side Quests”
— Achievement
— Reframing Imposter Thoughts with “Yet”. (From Author Carol. S. Dweck)
Ultimately, the Experience of Reading Big Trust is truly a beautiful blend of learning, unlearning, and relearning, and after every reading session with this book, I felt humbled with gratitude, felt empowered, and strengthened my resolve in engaging every single day of my life and career!
I’d love to wholeheartedly thank in bringing this wonderful creation to this beautiful world, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book so much to the core! Thank you so much in coming into my life, and I always see you as my guiding coach, mentor, and I always come back to you to learn from your life & career journeys, to consistently and continuously improve myself both personally and professionally.
The Big Trust Philosophy is definitely going to be the guiding North Star as well as the compass for the entire humanity, on the way to progress and positive growth in their careers!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 172 reviews