Unmasking Imposter Syndrome: The Hidden Ways It Holds You Back

Imposter Syndrome doesn’t always look like self-doubt. Sometimes, it’s subtle—like overanalyzing decisions, hesitating to speak up in high-stakes meetings, or struggling to establish influence. You might not feel like an imposter, but if you find yourself second-guessing, holding back, or playing small, Imposter Syndrome might be running the show.

That’s exactly what was happening to my coaching client, Brian, a VP of Talent Development at a leading streaming company. Brian is a powerhouse—he’s built innovative leadership programs and played a key role in developing top talent. Yet, despite his success, he struggled with making fast decisions, commanding presence in executive meetings, and influencing senior stakeholders. The more pressure he felt, the more he second-guessed himself.

Through coaching, Brian realized that Imposter Syndrome wasn’t just making him feel uncertain—it was actively slowing down his ability to lead. Once we identified the hidden ways it was showing up, we worked on strategies to move past it. Here’s how you can, too.

1. Strengthen Decision-Making: Trust Your Expertise

Brian’s Challenge: Brian was constantly second-guessing himself, over-researching every decision, and delaying action out of fear of making the wrong move. While he thought he was being thorough, in reality, his hesitation was making him less effective as a leader.

Why This Strategy Works: Imposter Syndrome makes you believe you need more information, more validation, more certainty before making a decision. But real leadership is about trusting your judgment and acting decisively, even when you don’t have all the answers.

How You Can Apply It:

• Set a time limit for making decisions to prevent overthinking.
• If you’re hesitating, ask: What would I advise someone else to do?
• Remind yourself of past decisions that turned out well despite uncertainty.

Example: Brian started giving himself 24 hours to make mid-level decisions and 72 hours for larger ones. This simple shift cut down his hesitation and increased his confidence in making timely, strategic choices.

2. Strengthen Executive Presence: Own the Room

Brian’s Challenge: In high-level meetings, Brian found himself holding back, worrying that his insights weren’t “big enough” to contribute. As a result, he wasn’t seen as a thought leader, and his impact diminished.

Why This Strategy Works: Imposter Syndrome convinces you that your voice doesn’t add value, leading you to sit on ideas rather than share them. But the most respected leaders aren’t the ones who know everything—they are the ones who own their expertise and speak with conviction.

How You Can Apply It:

• Before meetings, jot down two key points you want to contribute.
• Speak early—voicing a thought within the first 10 minutes helps establish your presence.
• Practice confident body language—shoulders back, eye contact, and a steady tone.

Example: Brian started contributing one insight in the first 10 minutes of every leadership meeting. Over time, he became more comfortable, and his peers began turning to him for perspective, strengthening his executive presence.

3. Strengthen Influence: Shift from Proving to Leading

Brian’s Challenge: Brian often felt like he had to prove himself before people would listen to his ideas. He would over-explain, stack his arguments with too much data, and try to anticipate every possible objection—leaving his pitches feeling weak instead of persuasive.

Why This Strategy Works: Imposter Syndrome makes you believe that influence comes from proving your worth, when in reality, influence comes from owning your worth. The more you step into your authenticity, the more others will naturally follow your lead.

How You Can Apply It:

• Instead of over-explaining, focus on why your idea matters and who it impacts.
• Use direct, concise language—clarity creates confidence.
• Assume people want to hear your perspective instead of assuming you need to convince them.

Example: Brian simplified his pitches, framing them as “Here’s what I recommend and why it matters,” rather than overwhelming his audience with too much detail. As a result, he got quicker buy-in and felt more in control of the room.

It’s Time to Say Goodbye to Imposter Syndrome

Imposter Syndrome isn’t just about how you feel—it’s about how you lead. When it slows down your decision-making, dims your executive presence, or weakens your influence, it holds you back from stepping into your full potential.

If you’re ready to move past the hesitation and into a place of confidence, clarity, and leadership, it’s time for Goodbye Imposter Syndrome Coaching.

In this coaching program, we will work together to: ? Strengthen your decision-making skills so you act with confidence. ? Elevate your executive presence so you command the room. ? Expand your influence so you get the recognition you deserve.

Spots are limited—reserve yours today and take the first step toward leading with impact. Join here.

About Phyllis Reagin I’m Phyllis Reagin, a doctoral-trained behaviorist, Executive & Leadership Coach and leading expert in Imposter Syndrome. I have coached hundreds of leaders (from Netflix, Warner Bros., Amazon Studios, Paramount, CNN, and more) to lead with greater confidence.

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