For me, one of the most powerful and drug-like feelings out there is confidence - trusting in your talents and the talents of others; knowing that your information is good and your judgment sound; seeing the path laid out before you and striding along with your head held high, despite the challenges and difficulties. Confidence is not just courage, but courage coupled with knowledge and ability.

Confidence is also contagious. When you know the job at hand and the pitfalls and swindles that will inevitably arise - and you know that you can succeed - you exude a presence that fills the team. You inspire those around you - who may not see the picture as well - to find their place in the scheme and to perform at the best of their ability.

Confidence requires a few things: knowledge of the subject matter, practical and theoretical; actual on the ground time (meaning, time spent doing the work); a track record of delivery (successful AND not); and the belief of others that you can do it. That last one is the tricky one. I recommend copious amounts of bribery. Or find better people to work with.

The attribute that naturally follows confidence is leadership. When you exude confidence, people naturally ask for your input and direction (or perhaps even ask you to take the reins and lead the project). When you lead a project the chances of success rise (and so do the chances of career-affecting catastrophic failures)

Work is a game with unwritten rules, and there is more than one way to win. Confidence will help you to write the rules that make you succeed.

Ninety-nine and three-quarters percent, guaranteed.