The Psychology of Self-Doubt

The Impostor Syndrome

Psychologists call it The Impostor Syndrome—a belief that you’re not as competent as people think you are. Studies show that 70% of professionals experience it at some point.

Key Reasons Leaders Struggle with Self-Doubt
✔ Perfectionism – "If I don’t do it perfectly, I’ve failed."
✔ Fear of Judgment – "What if people criticize my decisions?"
✔ Comparisons – "Others are better, so why should I even try?"
✔ Past Failures – "I messed up once, so I will again." Sound familiar? 

The truth is, great leaders aren’t born confident—they build confidence through action.

Hacks to Overcome Self-Doubt & Trust Yourself
1. Reframe Negative Feedback as Growth
Many leaders fear feedback because it feels like proof of their inadequacy. But in reality, feedback is a roadmap for improvement.

• Ask yourself: "Is this feedback about my skills or just my fear talking?"
• Remember: No leader gets everything right the first time.

• Ask yourself: "Will this mistake matter in 5 years?"
• If not, let it go and focus on long-term growth.

• Instead of thinking: "What if I fail?"
• Ask: "What if I succeed beyond my imagination?"

• Every day, write one small leadership win (a tough decision, a good conversation, a solved problem).
• Over time, this builds unshakable trust in yourself.