Imposter Syndrome: The Quiet Lie That’s Running Too Many Leaders

Let’s cut through the fluff:
Imposter syndrome is real — and it’s lying to you.

That voice in your head telling you you’re not ready? Not good enough? A fraud? It’s not some mystical curse you’ve been dealt. It’s a self-inflicted prison. And if you don’t confront it head-on, it will run your leadership into the ground.

I’ve seen it in the military. I’ve seen it in boardrooms. Hell, I’ve seen it in the mirror.

You get the role, the promotion, the opportunity — and instead of owning it, you downplay it. You wait for someone to “find you out.” You second-guess every move, talk yourself out of big decisions, and lead from fear instead of clarity.

That’s not humility. That’s sabotage.

Let me be real clear: If you’ve put in the work, earned your seat, and still feel like you’re faking it — that’s not because you’re unqualified. It’s because you’re listening to a voice that doesn’t belong in the room with you.

Imposter syndrome thrives in silence. It loves leaders who smile on the outside and spiral on the inside. And the longer you let it sit there unchallenged, the more power you hand it.

At my firm, we don’t slap a motivational quote on your fear and call it a day. We bring it to the surface and we rip it open. We tell leaders what most people won’t: If you want to grow, you have to call out your own lies. You have to own the doubt, not obey it.

Here’s the brutal truth:
That voice telling you you’re not good enough? It’s not protecting you. It’s keeping you small.
That fear of being exposed? It’s the tax you pay for growth — not a sign to turn back.
That discomfort you feel? That’s not a red flag. That’s proof you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be — in the stretch zone.

Great leaders walk into rooms they’re not “ready” for all the time. They feel the fear, but they don’t bow to it. They ask the hard questions. They make the bold calls. They act anyway.

Because leadership isn’t about always knowing the answer. It’s about having the guts to find one. Out loud. In real time. With people watching. That’s where trust is built. That’s where self-belief is forged.

So if you’re feeling like an imposter today, welcome to the damn club. But here’s the difference between leaders who rise and leaders who stall:

One group waits to feel “ready.”
The other group shows up and earns it every day.

You don’t owe the world perfection.
You owe it truth.
You owe it effort.
You owe it the real, gritty, flawed version of you — the one who shows up anyway.

Which one are you going to be this week?

Let’s lead for real.