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When Imposter Syndrome Spirals Out of Control: A Leadership Story

  • Writer: Sanaz Solomon, PhD
    Sanaz Solomon, PhD
  • Mar 13
  • 2 min read

When Emily accepted the promotion to Director of Strategy, she felt ready. Excited, even. Years of hard work had led to this moment, and she was confident she had the skills to succeed.


Then, on the first day, reality hit.


Sitting in a high-stakes leadership meeting, Emily listened as her colleagues rattled off data points and strategies with ease. The CEO turned to her and asked for her input, and suddenly, her brain short-circuited. Why did I take this job? What if they realize I have no idea what I’m doing? Should I fake a Wi-Fi issue and log off?


Instead, Emily mumbled something vague about “leveraging synergies” and immediately felt like a fraud. The self-doubt started to creep in. She found herself over-preparing for every meeting, re-reading reports until 2 AM, and second-guessing her every decision. The stress was mounting, and before long, Emily was in full-blown imposter syndrome spiral mode.


How the Spiral Happens


At first, imposter syndrome starts with a whisper: Are you sure you belong here? But if left unchecked, it can escalate quickly:


  1. Overworking to Compensate – Emily spent extra hours trying to prove she was competent, responding to emails at midnight just to seem “on top of things.”

  2. Perfectionism Overload – Every presentation had to be flawless. If there was even a slight mistake, she’d assume everyone noticed and secretly judged her.

  3. Dismissing Achievements – When a big project succeeded, Emily chalked it up to “luck” or “a great team,” rather than her own leadership.

  4. Avoiding Risks – Instead of stepping up with bold ideas, Emily started staying quiet in meetings, afraid of saying the wrong thing.


The result? Exhaustion, stress, and a constant fear of being “found out.”


Breaking the Cycle: How Emily Regained Control


Luckily, Emily didn’t have to stay trapped in this cycle. Here’s how she turned things around:


  1. Recognizing the Pattern – The first step was realizing imposter syndrome was playing tricks on her mind. Just because she felt like a fraud didn’t mean she was one.

  2. Seeking Support – A mentor reassured her that even the most successful leaders experience self-doubt. Turns out, no one really has it all figured out!

  3. Reframing Her Thinking – Instead of assuming everyone else was more qualified, Emily reminded herself: If I was truly unqualified, I wouldn’t have been hired.

  4. Dropping Perfectionism – She set a rule: No more rewriting emails five times. Progress mattered more than perfection.

  5. Owning Her Wins – Emily started keeping track of her achievements, reminding herself that her expertise and leadership did make a difference.


You Are Not an Imposter


Like Emily, you might face moments where imposter syndrome tries to take the wheel. But remember—self-doubt is just a sign that you care, not proof that you don’t belong. By recognizing the spiral and taking action, you can step into your success with confidence.

Now, go rock that leadership role. No Wi-Fi excuses necessary.


 
 
 

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