A Harvard psychologist says this surprising trait can make you more successful

For one, anxiety can be an adaptive response that keeps us alert to danger and things going wrong. Sometimes, Cuddy says, nervousness can also signal respect for the person you're interacting with.

Additionally, "some nervousness can even signal passion to others," she says. "After all, you wouldn't be nervous if it didn't matter to you, and you can't easily persuade an investor or potential client to buy into your idea if it's not clear that you care deeply about whether or not it succeeds."

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