Leadership’s quiet struggle: Imposter syndrome

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Listen to this week’s podcast episode, Ep.181: Dealing with Low Confidence, Self Doubt, and Slaying Imposter Syndrome, with John Little, using the player below, or click here.

The Quiet Weight That Leaders Carry

You’ve likely felt it at some point, that creeping doubt that maybe you're not supposed to be in the room or at the table (other metaphors also available). That one day, someone’s going to figure out you’re winging it. It’s not always loud. It doesn’t always stop you. But it stays in the background and whispers just enough to make you question your own success.

This week’s guest, John Little, calls it what it is: the imposter experience. He's a leadership coach, consultant, and speaker who helps high performers face self-doubt without letting it run the show. And his message is direct: you're not broken, and you're definitely not alone.

Imposter syndrome isn’t just for beginners. In fact, it often grows as your title does. The more responsibility, visibility, or pressure you feel, the more likely it is to show up. That’s why understanding it isn’t optional for leaders; it’s part of the work.

Confidence Is Overrated, Presence Is Better

One of the most useful parts of the conversation was John’s breakdown of how we talk about confidence.

We often treat confidence like a switch, either you have it, or you fake it. But John says confidence is a by-product, not the goal. It shows up when you’re focused, grounded, and connected to what matters. In other words, confidence grows out of presence.

If you’re chasing the feeling of confidence, you’ll always be on edge. Instead, focus on showing up with intention, clarity, and service; that’s where your leadership confidence actually comes from. It’s not the absence of fear, but the strength to act while feeling it.

Name It. Tame It. Reframe It.

John shared a simple mental tool you can use when imposter thoughts start creeping in. And advises us to remember that it’s not about ignoring them, but learning to relate to them differently.

1. Name it: Call it what it is. Say, “That’s my imposter voice,” instead of letting it hijack your day.

2. Tame it: Step back from the emotion. Use breath, pause, or even humour. Create space between the thought and your reaction.

3. Reframe it: Ask, “What else might be true here?” Look for the facts. Remember the data, you didn’t land here by luck.

The point isn’t to silence the voice forever, it’s to stop letting it lead the meeting.

The Link Between Doubt and Overcompensation

Many leaders don’t realise they’re showing signs of imposter syndrome until it spills into how they lead. John’s seen it show up as micromanagement, over-preparing, perfectionism, and even emotional withdrawal. (When you try to protect yourself from being “found out,” but you end up disconnecting from your team).

The irony? The more you try to prove you’re worthy, the harder it becomes to lead with impact.

John says: when you’re trying to lead from a place of fear, everything becomes performance. And leadership isn’t theatre, it’s not about proving you're perfect, it’s about being real, staying steady, and creating space for others to do the same.

Authenticity might be your best defence.

Isolation at the Top Isn’t Inevitable

As you move up, it can feel like there are fewer people you can talk to honestly. You don’t want to burden your team, and you don’t want to look weak to your peers. So, you carry it quietly.

John challenges that. He believes one of the most underrated parts of leadership growth is finding safe places to say hard things. That could be a coach, it could be a mentor. It could be a peer group or even a journal. But it needs to exist.

Leaders who isolate themselves don’t last. Or if they do, they harden and their teams feel it; either way: not a recipe for longevity.

If you want to stay healthy, human, and helpful as you grow, you need somewhere to say, “I’m not sure,” without fear of being ‘exposed’.

Leadership That Feels Like You

There’s a moment in the episode where John said something simple but true:
“You lead best when you're not pretending to be someone else.”

That’s the real work, getting clear enough on your values, your purpose, and your voice that you don’t need to copy anyone else's version of leadership.

The more you own who you are, the more others can relax into who they are too.

That’s how you build real trust. That’s how you make a lasting impact. And that’s how you stop feeling like a fraud. Not by being flawless, but by being yourself on purpose.

Key Reminders for Leaders Who Doubt Themselves

• Your fear or imposter feelings don’t disqualify you. It just means you care.

• Confidence isn’t constant, it comes and goes. Don’t chase it.

• Leadership isn’t about knowing more than everyone else. It’s about showing up and choosing to lead, even when it’s hard.

• You don’t have to silence the inner critic, but you don’t have to give it the mic, either.

Last Thought…

If you’ve ever looked around a room and thought, “Who let me in here?” remember, you didn’t sneak in: you were invited.

Leadership doesn’t require perfection, just honesty, intention, and courage.

Start there. That’s more than enough.

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Do listen to the full conversation with John, he’s really got some great advice on overcoming those imposter feelings: https://smartlink.ausha.co/leading-with-integrity/ep-181-dealing-with-low-confidence-self-doubt-and-slaying-imposter-syndrome-with-john-little-leadership-podcasts (or watch on YouTube, here).

Tune in next week for a my chat with Founder, Entrepreneur, and Non-Exec, Richard Lee.

Until then, Be a Leader, Not a Boss!

- David

In case you don’t know me that well, I’m David Hatch and I’m here to help new managers and first-time founders with their leadership skills, so they can become leaders not bosses, lead with integrity, and build happier, higher performing teams, more effective organisations, and, ultimately: successful businesses.

Be less Palpatine. Be more Picard. Become the leader you wish you’d had, come join my online leadership community now (solopreneurs also welcome 😉) if you have a healthy love of sci-fi and want to learn more about leadership, then this is the community for you. Here’s the link: Integrity Leaders: Community membership and learning, for new leaders or first-time founders.