Let me share something I wish someone had told me earlier in my leadership journey. That feeling of being a fraud? The voice that asks who you think you are right before a big meeting or when you say yes to something new? It’s not a sign you don’t belong. It’s a sign that you’re stepping into the space that you were meant for.

Imposter syndrome is one of those topics we tend to avoid discussing, especially as leaders. We’re supposed to be confident, composed, and certain. We’re the ones people look to for answers. Here’s what I know after years in leadership and now coaching others who sit in those same leadership seats: imposter syndrome shows up for almost everyone. And often, it shows up strongest for those who care the most and are among the highest performers.

What Is Imposter Syndrome, Really?

Imposter syndrome is that sneaky, persistent feeling that you’re faking it, and any moment now, someone will figure it out. It suggests that your success is merely a matter of luck, not something you’ve earned. That you don’t really belong in the room. That others have it figured out, and you’re just winging it.

It’s not the same as humility. It’s rooted in fear and self-doubt. It thrives in high achievers, especially those who are breaking new ground, leading in uncertain territory, are among less represented groups, such as women, or who carry invisible pressure from past experiences or cultural narratives.

I’ve felt it in boardrooms. I’ve felt it when leading national projects or initiatives. I’ve felt it as I stepped into the coaching world and began building my own business. Even with all the credentials, all the experience, and all the lived insight, I still hear that voice sometimes. I’ve also learned not to silence it but to listen more closely.

Because that voice doesn’t mean I’m a fraud. It means I’m stretching. It means I’m growing. It means I care and am committed to achieving success and making a positive impact.

A Reframe That Can Change Everything

A fellow coach and leadership expert, Jeff Matlow, recently shared a reframe on my podcast, The Executive Exhale. He said that
“Imposter syndrome means that you’re ‘posturing'” and stepping into spaces where leadership is needed.

That made something click for me. That sense of “I don’t belong” often comes not because you’re unqualified but because you’re entering new territory. You’re stepping into leadership, not as a title or a role, but as a responsibility, and that’s a big deal.

Why It Shows Up Most in Leadership

If you’ve ever felt like you had to prove yourself twice as much, be twice as perfect, or carry more than your share to be seen as credible, you’re not imagining it. Many of the leaders I work with come from caregiving and health sectors, underrepresented groups, or high-intensity fields where the margin for error feels slim.

When you step into positions of influence or visibility, the pressure increases. People look to you for answers. Here is what I want you to hear. Real leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about being willing to show up in the unknown, ask better questions, and make space for growth for yourself and for those you lead.

That discomfort? That edge? That’s where authentic leadership begins. And imposter syndrome, ironically, means you’re already there.

How It Makes You a Better Leader

Imposter syndrome can sharpen your leadership. Here’s how:

1. You stay teachable. If you’re questioning yourself, you’re more likely to seek feedback, stay curious, and keep learning. You’re not coasting. You’re growing.

2. You build empathy. You understand what it feels like to be uncertain. That gives you the capacity to hold space for others who are navigating their fears or doubts.

3. You avoid ego traps. When you’re not assuming you’re always right, you’re more open to other perspectives. That creates stronger collaboration and healthier team dynamics.

4. You lead with vulnerability. Saying, “I don’t have all the answers, but I’m committed to finding them,” builds trust. People follow leaders who are real, not robotic.

Imposter syndrome doesn’t mean that you’re weak. It means you’re human. If you learn to work with it, not against it, it can become one of your strongest leadership tools.

What To Do When It Shows Up

First, breathe.

Seriously. Take a moment to regulate your nervous system. Imposter syndrome often triggers the release of stress hormones, which amplifies the inner dialogue. Taking a few deep, intentional breaths can help bring you back to your center.

Next, get curious. Ask yourself: What is this discomfort trying to tell me? Where am I growing? What am I stepping into that feels unfamiliar or vulnerable?

Then, reframe. Instead of saying, “I don’t belong,” try: “This is new, and I’m learning.” Instead of, “I’m not qualified,” say, “I’m expanding my capacity.”

And finally, speak it. Could you share it with someone you trust? Normalize it. One of the most powerful things we can do as leaders is to say, “Yeah, I’ve felt that too.”

The Real Work of Becoming

Imposter syndrome doesn’t vanish with a new title, another degree, or even more success. It’s not something you “outgrow.” It’s something you learn to relate to in a different way.

The leaders I work with are aware of this. They’ve learned to meet that internal doubt with compassion, not critique. They’ve developed practices that regulate their nervous systems, foster mental clarity, and enable them to lead from a place of embodied presence rather than a sense of panic.

And they’ve learned that every time that voice shows up, it’s an invitation. An invitation to show up more fully. An invitation to trust the work they’ve done. An invitation to lead not despite their fear but alongside it.

Final Thoughts

So, if you feel like a fraud right now, good, it means you care. It means you’re stepping into something that matters. It means you’re growing.

Take a breath.

You don’t have to feel completely ready to be effective. You don’t need to be perfect to be powerful. You need to show up. You’re not an imposter. You’re a leader becoming more of who you really are.

If you’re struggling with confidence, feeling stuck in doubt, or want a space to talk it through with someone who gets it, I’m here.

Click here to schedule a call with me, and let’s determine what support looks like for you at this time.