The Moment

“I keep waiting for someone to realise they promoted the wrong person.”

A senior leader shared this with me during one of our coaching conversations.

There was no reason to doubt himself. He had consistently delivered results, earned the respect of his peers, and been entrusted with leading a larger business function. Yet every new meeting with senior executives, new strategic decisions, and unfamiliar challenges left him wondering whether he truly belonged.

What struck me wasn’t his self-doubt.

It was how familiar his words sounded. I’ve heard versions of this from newly promoted managers, experienced executives, entrepreneurs leading rapidly growing businesses, and leaders taking on global responsibilities.

Different industries. Sometimes different careers. Yet, the same quiet question.

“Am I really ready for this?”

 

Why This Matters More Than Ever

Leadership today looks very different from what it did even a few years ago.

AI is changing how decisions are made. Organisations are transforming faster than ever. Teams are more cross-functional, geographically dispersed, and expected to deliver results amid constant uncertainty.

As leaders grow, success is no longer measured by how much they know. It’s measured by how effectively they navigate ambiguity, influence across functions, and make decisions without having complete information. The higher we move, the fewer situations feel familiar. And that unfamiliarity is often mistaken for inadequacy.

 

The Hidden Challenge

We often label this experience as imposter syndrome, but I believe that description sometimes causes us to solve the wrong problem.

The real challenge isn’t feeling like a fraud. It’s waiting to feel confident before stepping into your next level of leadership.

Many leaders expect that reaching the next level should feel comfortable because they’ve earned it. Instead, growth introduces unfamiliar responsibilities that stretch our thinking in entirely new ways. And this discomfort isn’t proof that you don’t belong.

It’s evidence that your leadership is expanding beyond what feels familiar.

When we confuse growth with inadequacy, we start questioning ourselves instead of developing ourselves.

 

The Turning Point

During one coaching session, I asked the leader a simple question.

“What if this feeling isn’t telling you that you’re unqualified? What if it’s simply reminding you that you’re doing something you’ve never done before?”

That question changed the conversation.

Instead of trying to eliminate uncertainty, he became curious about what it was teaching him. His focus shifted from proving himself to learning. And that’s where genuine confidence began to emerge.

 

A Practical Framework: The GROW Approach to Leading Through Self-Doubt

Whenever imposter feelings begin to surface, I encourage leaders to pause and work through four simple shifts.

 

1. G – Ground Yourself in Evidence

Self-doubt has a remarkable ability to erase our achievements.

Instead of listening only to your inner critic, ask yourself:

• What challenges have I already navigated successfully?
• What feedback have I consistently received?
• Why was I trusted with this opportunity?

Confidence grows faster when it’s built on evidence rather than emotion.

 

2. R – Reframe the Story

Notice the narrative running through your mind.

Instead of asking:

“What if I’m not good enough?”

Try asking:

“What is this experience asking me to learn?”

One question creates fear.

The other creates growth.

 

3. O – Open the Conversation

Imposter syndrome thrives in isolation.

Most leaders assume they’re the only ones experiencing these thoughts.

They’re not.

Share your concerns with a trusted mentor, coach, or colleague.

More often than not, you’ll discover they’ve experienced something remarkably similar.

Naming the fear reduces its power.

 

4. W – Walk Before You Feel Ready

One of the biggest myths in leadership is that confidence comes first.

In reality, confidence follows action.

• Every difficult conversation.
• Every presentation.
• Every strategic decision.
• Every uncomfortable stretch assignment.

Each one becomes evidence that you’re capable of more than you believed.

Don’t wait to feel ready. Move first.

Confidence catches up.

 

This Week’s Leadership Reflection

Take ten minutes at the end of your week and write down:

• Three situations where you felt uncomfortable.
• What those situations were asking you to learn.
• One piece of evidence that proves you handled them better than you think.

Repeat this practice for a month.

You’ll begin noticing a powerful pattern:

Many moments you’ve labelled as self-doubt were actually moments of growth.

 

If this newsletter resonated with you, I’d love to hear what’s showing up in your own leadership journey. You can simply reply to this email, or if you’d like to explore it more deeply, you’re always welcome to book a coaching conversation with me.

One last thought before you go…

The next level of leadership rarely asks you to become someone else.

It simply asks you to trust yourself a little more than you did yesterday.

 

A Resource You Might Find Helpful

If this is something you’re currently working through, I’d also recommend watching “5 Ways to Beat Imposter Syndrome” by Dr. Shadé Zahrai. I appreciate how she combines research with practical strategies, and you may find a few ideas that complement today’s reflection.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdbYB8oytIE

If you do watch it, I’d be curious to know what resonated with you the most.