Beyond Imposter Syndrome

It was 2015 and I was asked to take the job as adjunct professor. I was super

excited about the possibility. Once I signed the papers, I was in my office

putting the syllabus together. It was the first day when I took the step into

the role of professor, my immediate thought was, “Who, me?”

Sure, I had years of experience pastoring, coaching leaders, running a

business, and guiding others toward purpose—but standing in front of a

classroom of college students felt different. It felt like a space reserved for

real professors—the ones with letters after their names, the ones who

“belonged” there.

That voice in my head? That was Imposter Syndrome—and it’s a voice

many of us know all too well.

What Is Imposter Syndrome?

The word imposter means “a person who pretends to be someone else.”

Imposter Syndrome is the internalized fear that we are doing just that—

pretending. It whispers, “You’re not qualified enough. You just got lucky. Any

minute now, they’ll figure it out.”

But where does that voice come from?

For many women, it’s woven into our upbringing. From a young age, we were

told—subtly or directly—that we needed rescuing. We grew up watching

stories where the heroine’s worth was validated only when she was chosen,

saved, or completed by someone else. Think Cinderella, Ariel, or Sleeping

Beauty. The message was clear: we are not enough on our own.

We learned to be polite, modest, and accommodating. We learned to

downplay our strengths and give others credit for our success. Even as we

came alive in our calling, we handed the glory to someone else.

That’s why, as a mother, I made a very intentional decision: my daughters

would not grow up with those stories as their foundation. No Disney

princesses waiting for princes. No “rescuer” narratives. We would visit

national parks, not Disneyland. I wanted them to see that their power came

from within.

Sometimes our desires don’t line up with reality. I was blessed with three

girls and guess what? My oldest loved dressing up as a princess at the age

of two and wore dresses every single day until second grade. Culture wins!

The Cost of Living as an Imposter

When women shrink their voices, the consequences reach far beyond the individual.A study by the Maxwell Leadership Team on Women in Business found that many women won’t speak up in boardrooms. Those who do—who are bold, decisive, and forthright—are often perceived as “rude” by other women, while men in the room simply move on.

Up to 75% of women in executive roles report experiencing imposter syndrome at some point in their careers. It’s a silent epidemic that keeps brilliant, capable women from leading fully and authentically.

How Do We Move Beyond It?

It starts with authentic living—showing up as your true self and learning to lean in.That begins with two powerful shifts: believing in yourself and trusting yourself.

1. Believing in Yourself

Believing in yourself is the foundation of authentic living. It’s the quiet conviction that you are enough—that who you are, right now, is capable, worthy, and valuable.

• Knowing Your Strengths

You recognize your gifts, skills, and experiences as assets.I think of my friend Theresa, a worship pastor who spent years second-guessing her musical gifts because others seemed more polished or confident. Yet, her ability to connect hearts through song was something no one else could replicate.

We need to stop downplaying what we bring to the table—and start standing confidently in it.

• Owning Your Story

Every chapter—successes and failures alike—shapes who you are today. I once coached a business owner who hid her early struggles, fearing they made her look less credible. But once she began sharing her journey openly, her business skyrocketed. People connect with authenticity, not perfection.

• Letting Go of Comparison

Comparison is a thief of joy and a barrier to purpose.Years ago, I wrote “STOP IT” on a 3x5 card and kept it in my wallet as a reminder to stop measuring myself against others.When we stop comparing, we become fruitful—because our energy finally goes toward growth instead of guilt.

Reflection: Believing in Yourself

Take some time and ask yourself these questions:

• Which of your strengths do you tend to overlook or minimize?

• How do you respond when self-doubt creeps in?

• What’s one step you can take this week to affirm your worth or build confidence?

• How does believing in yourself influence how you lead or interact with others?

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2. Trusting in Yourself

Trusting yourself means tuning into that quiet inner wisdom that already knows what’s right for you, even when the world is loud.

• Listening to Your Inner Voice

Instead of rushing to please others, pause and ask, “What feels true to me?”As Mel Robbins says, “Let them.” Let them misunderstand you, question you, or doubt you. You don’t have to explain yourself when you’re aligned with your truth.

• Making Decisions Aligned with Your Values

Trusting yourself means living by your principles, even when it’s uncomfortable. During COVID, I had to make hard decisions as a mother, coach, and leader. Every choice that came from my values, even the unpopular ones, strengthened my confidence in my own compass.

• Accepting Mistakes as Part of Learning

When you trust yourself, failure becomes feedback. Every misstep refines your judgment and resilience.

Once you learn to trust yourself and your own intuition, you no longer feel like an imposter, you feel like a leader.

Intuitive Choice Challenge

Try this simple exercise to strengthen your self-trust:I’ll give you pairs of options—choose immediately no overthinking:

Beach or mountains?

Speaking up or staying quiet?

Start or wait?

Reading or listening to music?

Tea or coffee?

Now ask yourself: How did I know which to pick?Your body and intuition often answer before your mind can rationalize. That’s the voice you want to trust more often.

Reflection: Trusting in Yourself

Here are some questions that you can think through and answer:

• How easy or difficult is it for you to trust your own judgment? Why?

• When have you ignored your intuition—and what did you learn from it?

• What might change if you trusted yourself a little more this week?

  
  

Stepping into the Professor Role

When I finally stepped into that classroom as “Professor,” I realized something powerful: no one else needed to give me permission.I belonged there not because I had all the answers, but because I had lived the lessons I was teaching.

I wasn’t an imposter—I was an example.

Final Thought

You were never meant to imitate anyone else’s story. You were meant to write your own story. It  is time to start today and begin stepping into your potential and believe in yourself.

When you believe in yourself and trust your intuition, you stop pretending—and start becoming.

And that’s when leadership, purpose, and impact flow naturally. And silence that imposter syndrome.