This paper addresses how translators perceive the notions of doubt and negotiation in the course of their professional activities. The starting point is the observation that the actual integration of so-called emotional skills in the global competency of translators is still embryonic despite their central role as highlighted by competency experts. In fact, the interpersonal dimension is omnipresent in the practice of professional translation, through rational and self-doubt management and negotiation. A poorly managed relational component may negatively impact a translator’s global competency, ruining self-confidence. Practical effects of doubt and negotiation are analysed via a survey of French-speaking professional translators in Québec and Canada. The analysis of the responses of 180 respondents covers four themes regarding gender differentials as well as the impacts of the number of years of professional experience, the specialty and the context of professional practice.