Even the Most Successful Executives Secretly Struggle with This…

Have You Ever Felt Like You Don’t Deserve Your Success?

You walk into the boardroom, prepared and confident. At least, that’s how you appear on the outside. Inside, however, a small but persistent voice whispers:

“What if they find out I’m not as competent as they think I am?”

It doesn’t matter that you’ve worked hard, earned promotions, and proven your capabilities time and time again. Imposter syndrome creeps in, making you doubt yourself, overwork to compensate, and attribute your success to luck rather than skill.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Imposter syndrome is one of the biggest silent career killers for senior executives. Especially high-achieving women in leadership. It can prevent you from fully stepping into your power, advocating for yourself, and leading with confidence.

Let’s break down exactly how impostor syndrome manifests at the executive level and, more importantly, how to overcome it.

📥 Before You Keep Reading: Want to start conquering impostor syndrome today? Download my free Imposter Syndrome Toolkit—a step-by-step guide to recognizing self-doubt, shifting your mindset, and leading with confidence.

👉🏾 Download Now

What is Imposter Syndrome?

Impostor syndrome is the persistent belief that your success is undeserved, and at any moment, you might be “exposed” as a fraud. Even when there’s overwhelming evidence of your competence.

Common Misconceptions About Imposter Syndrome

✅ It only affects junior professionals. → False. Even CEOs and top executives struggle with imposter syndrome.

✅ It’s just a lack of confidence. → False. Confidence can fluctuate, but imposter syndrome is a deeply ingrained belief pattern that doesn’t always correlate with actual ability.

✅ It goes away with experience. → False. Many women in leadership find that the more they achieve, the stronger their imposter syndrome becomes.

The issue isn’t a lack of skill. It’s often a mindset challenge for some and environmental stressors for people of color, especially in toxic, discriminatory, gaslighting, or isolating workplaces.

 And if left unchecked, it can hold you back from reaching your full leadership potential.

How Imposter Syndrome Shows Up in Senior Leadership

Impostor syndrome doesn’t always look like insecurity. In fact, many senior executives experiencing it appear highly successful and competent to everyone else. However, it often manifests in subtle but damaging ways:

1. Overworking & Perfectionism

Instead of trusting your expertise, you find yourself double-checking everything, spending extra hours refining presentations, or taking on more work than necessary to “prove” your worth.

💡 Personal Insight: I once coached a senior executive who would rewrite her reports multiple times before submitting them, fearing they weren’t “good enough.” The irony? Her first draft was already excellent. The extra work only drained her energy.

2. Avoiding Visibility

Do you hesitate to take credit for your achievements? Downplay your success? Turn down speaking engagements because you don’t feel “qualified” enough?

If so, imposter syndrome may be pushing you into the background instead of letting you own your accomplishments.

3. Difficulty Making Decisions

High-level leadership requires confident decision-making, but impostor syndrome can make you second-guess yourself constantly. You might delay big decisions, seek excessive validation from others, or worry about making the “wrong” choice.

4. Attributing Success to Luck

Instead of recognizing your expertise, you may tell yourself:
“I was just in the right place at the right time.”
“That promotion happened because no one else applied.”
“I had a great team, that’s why we succeeded.”

While teamwork and timing matter, your leadership skills played a huge role in your success. Whether you acknowledge it or not.

5. Struggling with Delegation

Impostor syndrome can result in micromanaging. If you feel like everything must be done perfectly, you may have difficulty trusting others to handle key responsibilities. So you don’t delegate. And that leads to exhaustion and burnout.

The Hidden Costs of Imposter Syndrome in Leadership

🚨 Career Stagnation

When self-doubt prevents you from going after big opportunities, it can stall your professional growth. Many executives with imposter syndrome hesitate to negotiate salaries, apply for promotions, or take on bold initiatives.

⚡ Burnout & Stress

Overworking, perfectionism, and carrying the weight of proving yourself can lead to exhaustion. Imposter syndrome keeps you in a cycle of stress rather than allowing you to enjoy your success.

🔄 Team Impact

Leaders who struggle with imposter syndrome may unintentionally micromanage, hesitate to take decisive action, or fail to inspire confidence in their teams. If you’re constantly questioning yourself, your team may start to as well.

How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome as a Senior Executive

The good news? Imposter syndrome isn’t permanent. It’s a mindset that can be shifted with the right strategies.

1. Reframe Negative Self-Talk

Every time you catch yourself thinking negative self-talk such as, “I’m not qualified” or “I don’t belong here,” replace it with a more empowering thought:

🚀 “I bring unique value and expertise to the table.”

2. Track Evidence of Your Success

Start a “Wins Journal” to track your accomplishments—big or small—each week. Regularly reviewing your successes helps combat self-doubt by giving you tangible proof of your growth and impact. 

If you need a dedicated space for reflection and affirmation, grab a copy of my journal, Melaninated Magic: 180 Affirmations to Nurture Your Soul and Unleash Your Black Girl Joy, to celebrate your wins and step fully into your confidence.

3. Embrace a Growth Mindset

Instead of believing you must be perfect, remind yourself that leadership is about growth. Even the most successful executives are still learning.

4. Lean on Mentors & Coaches

Every great leader has a support system. A coach can help you recognize self-sabotaging patterns and develop a stronger leadership mindset.

💡 Personal Insight: A client of mine, a CFO at a Fortune 500 company, hesitated to apply for a CEO role because she felt she “wasn’t ready.” After we worked through her limiting beliefs, she not only applied—she got the job.

5. Own Your Accomplishments

Next time someone compliments your work, resist the urge to downplay it. Instead of saying, “Oh, it was nothing,” try:

🔹 “Thank you, I worked hard on this.”

Final Thoughts: Your Leadership Legacy Without Imposter Syndrome

Imagine leading with full confidence in your abilities. Speaking up without hesitation. Owning your accomplishments without guilt.

You didn’t get here by accident. You earned it.

📥 Ready to Take the First Step?

I’ve put together a powerful Imposter Syndrome Toolkit to help you recognize self-doubt, silence your inner critic, and build unshakable confidence as a leader.

Inside, you’ll get:
✅ The Imposter Syndrome Checklist – Identify exactly how it’s showing up for you
✅ Mindset Reframing Exercises – Shift from self-doubt to self-assurance
✅ Confidence-Boosting Strategies – Practical steps to step fully into your leadership role

👉🏾 Download Your Free Toolkit Now

You’ve worked hard to get where you are. It’s time to own it. 🚀

I’m an ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC) and a certified executive coach for Twanna Carter Professional & Personal Coaching, LLC. I flubbed my first career transition from the military so badly, it took me the next 10+ years to build my confidence and  recover. I know what it feels like to struggle with imposter syndrome and uncertainty about my leadership skills in the workplace. It’s why I am dedicated to empowering Black women. Helping them navigate career challenges and uncertainty by providing them with the tools and strategies they need to be successful. Schedule a V.I.P. Roadmap session today.

If you enjoyed this blog, please share it. If you’re also feeling generous, consider Buying Me a Coffee.☕️

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Curated Reads: Essential Books to Add to Your Personal Library …

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Unbreak My Soul: How Black Women Can Begin To Heal From Workplace Trauma, Carey Yazeed, PhD

I’m Not Yelling: A Black Woman’s Guide to Navigating the Workplace (Successful Black Business Women), Elizabeth Leiba.

Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler.

Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert B. Cialdini.

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie.

Overworked and Undervalued: Black Women and Success in America by Rosalyn D. Davis, Sharon L. Bowman, et. al.

Power Negotiation – Getting to the Yes: Strategies to Get What You Want, When You Want It by Patrick Kennedy

Set Free to Live Free: Breaking Through the 7 Lies Women Tell Themselves by Saundra Dalton-Smith, MD