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Ever Felt Like You Didn’t Belong?
You’re sitting in a meeting. You’ve done the work. You know your stuff. But a voice in your head whispers: What if they find out you don’t really know what you’re doing?
You brush it off, but it lingers. Imposter syndrome is sneaky like that. It doesn’t care how many degrees you have, how many promotions you’ve earned, or how many people trust your leadership. It creeps in anyway.
And here’s the kicker: It doesn’t just strike early-career professionals. It can hit even those of us who own the table.
And if you’ve ever looked around and seen someone who—at least on the surface—seems less qualified but carries themselves with unwavering confidence, you’ve already seen the truth in action:
➡ Confidence isn’t certainty. It’s trust in your ability to navigate uncertainty.
You didn’t get here by accident. You earned your seat. Now own it.
The Truth About Imposter Syndrome
Let’s ground ourselves in what imposter syndrome actually is.
đź“– Merriam-Webster defines it as:
A psychological condition characterized by persistent self-doubt concerning one’s abilities or accomplishments, accompanied by the fear of being exposed as a fraud despite evidence of success.
In simpler terms: You can have all the proof of your success, yet still feel like you don’t deserve it.
And imposter syndrome thrives in silence. It’s often reinforced by:
- A deeply ingrained belief in humility that makes self-promotion feel unnatural.
- Perfectionism—constantly feeling like you need to do more to prove yourself.
- Environments where no one else shares your lived experience, making you question if you truly belong.
- Upbringing or past experiences that emphasized criticism over celebration, causing you to doubt your own achievements.
For many, imposter syndrome isn’t just an internal battle—it’s reinforced by external biases.
Women and people of color often experience this at a deeper level, not because they lack ability, but because they’ve been in spaces where their competence is questioned more often, even when they’ve already proven themselves.
Acknowledge the noise, but don’t let it define you. You’ve demonstrated success. You’ve earned your seat. And no shifting narrative changes that.
Key Takeaway: You are not alone. Even the most accomplished leaders experience this.
Embrace Your Strengths to Reframe Self- Doubt
When we focus on “what’s missing,” we overlook “what’s already present.”
You are uniquely wired with strengths that allow you to be exactly where you are destined to be in this moment. Comparing your journey to someone else’s won’t serve you—because their path isn’t yours.
Now, take a moment. Write down three strengths that have helped you succeed. These are the skills and qualities that have carried you through challenges, even when doubt crept in. Keep them where you’ll see them often. Because confidence isn’t about proving yourself to others—it’s about reminding yourself of what you already bring to the table.
Build Self-Trust Through Small Wins
We’ve talked before about The Power of Mindset—how what you believe about yourself influences how you show up in the world.
And here’s a truth that will serve you well: Confidence isn’t just a feeling. It’s a pattern of trust.
Self-doubt creeps in when we lack proof that we can follow through. Confidence grows when we demonstrate—over and over—that we can.
âś… Have you followed through on commitments to yourself?
✅ Have you kept your word—to yourself and to others?
If you have, amazing. If not, let’s fix that.
