There’s a stark contrast between men who exude confidence and those who not only have that confidence but also possess emotional depth.

Often, those oozing self-assuredness but lacking emotional substance unknowingly exhibit certain behaviors.

While they appear unaffected by the emotional turmoil around them, their actions tell a different story.

In this article, we’ll delve into the 8 specific behaviors commonly displayed by men who are highly confident but lack emotional depth, often without even realizing it.

1) They avoid vulnerability

There’s a certain armor that overly confident men who lack emotional depth tend to wear. It acts as their shield against the world, often making them seem invincible.

Such men are experts at projecting an image of strength and invulnerability. They are the ones who always have everything under control, never letting their guard down or showing any sign of emotional fragility.

This behavior is born out of a need to maintain their image of unshakeable confidence, it often conceals a lack of emotional depth.

While it might seem like a strength, this avoidance of vulnerability can actually be a significant weakness. It can prevent them from forming deep connections with others and limit their personal growth.

If you see a man who always seems to have everything under control and never shows any signs of vulnerability, it might be a sign that he is confident though without compassion. 

2) They struggle with empathy

In my experience, they frequently struggle to empathize with others.

I once had a friend, let’s call him Tom. He was the epitome of confidence, always the life of the party, the one everyone turned to for advice. Yet when it came to understanding and sharing the feelings of others, Tom struggled.

I remember a time when I was going through a rough phase and needed someone to talk to.

Tom was there, his responses were more about solutions and quick fixes rather than understanding my emotional state. It felt like he was trying to solve a math problem rather than empathize with a human being’s feelings.

This failure to empathize is frequent among males who are self-assured yet lacking in depth of emotion. They’re so focused on maintaining their strong image that they sometimes miss out on the human connection that comes with empathy. 

3) They’re often assertive to a fault

When it comes to confidence, assertiveness is a key trait. However, there’s a fine line between healthy assertiveness and becoming overly dominant or aggressive.

To maintain an image of control and self-assurance, they unknowingly cross this line by dominating conversations and interactions.

Interestingly, a study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that individuals who display dominant behaviors, such as interrupting others and speaking loudly, are often perceived as competent and influential.

These same behaviors can also make them seem less likable and emotionally disconnected. A confident man may dominate the conversation, this might indicate a deficiency of profound feeling. 

4) They focus on competition

A man with a high confidence level and deep emotional deficiency is likewise prone to concentrate much on competition.

These men tend to view life as a constant battle, a survival of the fittest where every interaction is a chance to prove their superiority. They thrive on competition, always striving to outperform others, often at the cost of their relationships.

This competitive streak can be seen in various aspects of their life, from work to social situations. Whether it’s being the best at their job or the most popular guy at a party, they constantly feel the need to win.

What they often fail to realize is that life isn’t always about winning or being the best. There’s value in collaboration, understanding, and emotional connections. By focusing solely on competition, they inadvertently reveal their lack of emotional depth.

5) They struggle with self-reflection

Self-reflection is an essential trait for emotional depth. It allows us to understand our feelings, learn from our mistakes, and grow emotionally.

They’re so focused on moving forward, achieving goals, and maintaining their confident image that they hardly ever pause to reflect on their actions or feelings. They often struggle with this.

They’re the ones who brush off failures quickly, not because they’re resilient, because they avoid confronting the emotions attached to those experiences. They might appear as if they’re unaffected by failures or criticism, in reality, they’re just avoiding the emotional processing.

This lack of self-reflection prevents them from understanding their emotions better and growing as individuals. 

6) They have a hard time forming deep connections

There’s something profoundly beautiful about forming deep, emotional connections with others. It’s like uncovering hidden layers of another person’s soul and allowing them to see yours.

Unfortunately, they often miss out on this beauty. Their constant need to maintain a strong, confident exterior prevents them from opening up and connecting with others on a deeper level.

They might have numerous acquaintances and casual friends, with very few – if any – close, meaningful relationships. They’re the ones who will make you laugh at a party, nevertheless, won’t be there when you need someone to cry with.

It’s not that they choose to be this way. Most of the time, they’re unaware of their inability to form deep connections. It’s a heartbreaking consequence of their inability to feel deeply – one that leaves them, and the people around them, longing for something more.

7) They struggle to express emotions

Healthily expressing emotions can be challenging. It requires vulnerability, self-awareness, and courage – traits that they often struggle to express feelings.

I recall a time when I was dealing with some personal issues. Feelings of sadness and confusion were overwhelming me, and I needed to share them with someone. I turned to a friend who was always confident and seemed to have it all together.

However, when I started expressing my feelings, he quickly diverted the conversation to something lighter. It was as if he couldn’t handle the weight of my emotions.

This inability to engage in emotional conversations is common among such individuals. They’re so used to projecting an image of confidence and control that they become uncomfortable when faced with raw, unfiltered emotions – be it their own or others.

Often, they are unaware that they are doing this. They think they’re preserving their strong image, all they’re doing is revealing their lack of feeling depth.

8) They resort to humor to deflect serious conversations

Humor can be a powerful tool. It can bring people together, lighten the mood, and even help us cope with tough situations. When used as a defense mechanism to avoid serious conversations or mask emotions, it can be a sign of a man who cannot have deep feelings.

They’re the ones cracking jokes when the conversation takes a serious turn or making light of their own struggles instead of addressing them.

While it might seem like they’re just fun-loving individuals, this constant deflection is often their way of avoiding emotional vulnerability.

They’re so caught up in maintaining their confident persona that they miss out on the chance to connect with others on a deeper, more meaningful level.

Final thoughts: It’s about balance

The human psyche is a complex and fascinating realm, and understanding behaviors and emotional depth is no exception.

For men with high confidence yet do not have a deep feeling, their behaviors reflect an imbalance between their projected exterior and internal emotional world.

Renowned psychologist Carl Jung once said, “The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.” For these men, this could mean acknowledging their emotions, embracing vulnerability, and striking a balance between external confidence and internal emotional depth.

By recognizing these behaviors in themselves or others, it’s the first step towards fostering emotional growth. Only when they confront this imbalance can they start the journey towards becoming more emotionally rounded individuals.

As we bring this discussion to a close, it’s essential to remember that everyone is capable of change and growth. Emotional depth isn’t a fixed trait; it can be nurtured and developed over time. It takes self-awareness, courage, and sometimes a gentle nudge from articles like this one.