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If you’ve recently stepped into a leadership role – formal or informal – you may find yourself grappling with self-doubt and asking yourself:
- Do I have what it takes?
- Will others see through me?
- Did I earn this, or was I just in the right place at the right time?
This feeling, known as imposter syndrome, is more common than you think. Even the most accomplished leaders have faced moments when their confidence wavered. The good news is that confidence isn’t something you’re born with, it is something you build. Here are nine practical confidence hacks to help you embrace your expertise, quiet self-doubt and lead with authority:
Switch your inner voice
Your brain believes what you repeatedly tell it. Instead of “I don’t belong here,” shift to “I am capable and constantly learning.” The hack: write down three things that you’ve done in the past that prove your competence. Keep them in a spot where you can see them daily. Refer to them when you feel your confidence beginning to dwindle. Self-affirmation rewires the brain and reinforces positive beliefs about yourself.
Stop comparing
Comparison is the fuel of imposter syndrome; stop measuring yourself against others’ polished exteriors. Remember, they likely face imposter syndrome as well. The hack: identify your “leadership superpower” – a strength that makes you uniquely effective. It could be listening, getting to the crux of an issue, developing alternative solutions, motivating others or something else. Whatever it is, identify it and then own it by consciously using that strength in your leadership approach.
Keep a record of your success
Self-doubt warps the truth, making you overlook your past wins. The hack is simple: keep a “Confidence file” of positive feedback, completed projects and times when you made real impact. When doubt creeps in, physical proof of your success is a great reminder that you’ve earned your place.
Act confident
Newsflash: you don’t need to feel confident to act confident. So adopt power body language (such as standing tall with your shoulders back) and use a strong, steady voice. It not only signals confidence to others, but it works in reverse. When you act confident, you will actually begin to feel more confident.
Speak up early in meetings
Imposter syndrome thrives in silence. If you hesitate to speak, your doubts grow louder. The hack to overcome this is specific: Share an idea or ask a question in the first 10 minutes of a meeting. It will break your internal mental barrier and establish your presence. Leaders are remembered for participating and not for contributing “perfectly.” Speaking of which …
Focus on progress, not perfection
Perfectionism feeds erosion in confidence by making you feel like you’ll never measure up. Shift more of your attention to moving forward rather than to being precise. Make it a habit to track small wins daily. The hack: at the end of each day, write down one thing you did well. It will reinforce a mental pattern of confidence.
Replace “I got lucky” with “I earned this”
Dismissing your accomplishments as a matter of chance grinds down your confidence. The hack: when you achieve something notable, list three specific actions you took that contributed to that success. When you recognize and acknowledge your role in your achievements, you transfer the emphasis from luck to capability.
Embrace “I don’t know”
Leaders don’t have all the answers, but that doesn’t mean they can’t find out. Make it natural and normal to respond with “That’s a great question, let me look into it.” Acknowledging what you don’t know isn’t a weakness. Rather, it earns respect and reinforces a growth mindset.
Have a go-to “confidence reset”
When self-doubt creeps in, having a tangible external reminder of your strengths and abilities can help you refocus. Choose something that grounds you. For example, before a big presentation, take a moment to visualize yourself delivering with confidence. Hold a meaningful object like a favourite pen or bracelet as a grounding reminder before a tough conversation. Or repeat a personal mantra such as “I have valuable insights to share” before a big meeting. These small but powerful cues reinforce your confidence in moments when you need it most.
Imposter syndrome doesn’t mean you’re unqualified, rather it means you care about doing well. Remember that confidence is not innate, it is built, and the more you practice these hacks, the more you will quieten self-doubt. Start with just one, or perhaps two, of these strategies and you will begin to see the difference for yourself.
Merge Gupta-Sunderji is a speaker, author, mentor to senior leaders, and the chief executive officer of the leadership development consultancy Turning Managers Into Leaders.