They’d Never Follow Me (If They Really Knew) (#257)

The Confident Leader

BOOST YOUR LEADERSHIP IN UNCERTAIN TIMES

A leader recently told me:

“If my team knew what I was really thinking…they’d never follow me.”

This wasn’t false humility. It was fear—raw and real.

And maybe you’ve felt it too. You’re in charge, but inside you feel like less than the leader you think you ought to be. 

“I have written eleven books, but each time I think, ‘Uh-oh, they’re going to find out now.’” – Maya Angelou

This Week’s Edition

According to a 2023 study by the American Psychological Association, 62% of leaders report experiencing Impostor Syndrome.

We’re offering an alternate option – Leadership Doubt. 

But underneath it is the same question:

“Am I enough to lead this team?”

Clarify Your Thinking

Let’s be clear:

• Self-awareness does not mean you are an impostor.
• Reflection is not synonymous with incompetence.
• And what you believe are your flaws don’t disqualify you.

The real danger is when you believe your flaws define your leadership.

That false belief can create paralysis. 

News flash: you don’t need to be flawless. You need to be faithful to your purpose, your people, and your progress.

Old Thinking:
If they knew the truth, they’d stop following me.

New Thinking:
If I lead with honesty and direction, they’ll trust me more, not less.

Thoughts Lead to Actions

Impostor Syndrome may not be the correct diagnosis. Most of the leaders I work with have worked hard to earn their role. They are not impostors. But they do question their leadership from time to time. 

That’s called Leadership Doubt. 

Every successful leader at some point in their career questions some aspect of their leadership as a result of a significant outside influence or a problem they can’t immediately solve. 

This doubt doesn’t have to dominate.

Here’s how to put a stop to the spiral:

➤ Name the Lie
That “I’m not enough” thought? It’s not a truth. Challenge it. What else could be true?

➤ Surround Yourself
Borrow belief when yours is shaky. Let mentors and truth-tellers speak life into you.

➤ Lead with Learning
Offer: “Here’s what I’m working on.” That builds credibility—not confusion.

You’re not an impostor.

You’re a work in progress.

And the road to progress is often littered with a little doubt. 

Embrace that doubt as it tells you everything you need to know about the thinking that needs to change and the skill that needs to be developed.

Boost Your Performance

This week’s video walks through how one executive faced daily doubt—and how three truth-based shifts helped him rediscover joy in the role he loved.

What’s Your Opinion?

What’s one lie you’ve had to let go of in order to lead well? I’d love to hear:  robin.pou@robinpou.com.

If you are going to be a leader, you might as well be a good one. Don’t let doubt count you out. Have a confident week!

Robin Pou, Chief Advisor and Strategist

We live to make bad leadership extinct so forward this newsletter to others who strive to be confident leaders. 

SUBSCRIBE TO THE CONFIDENT LEADER

Let’s Connect

Follow me on Linkedin, Facebook and Twitter.

What is “The Confident Leader”?

During the Covid-19 Pandemic, I began a video series called “Panic or Plan?” It was designed to equip leaders to navigate the doubt they experienced and to rise in the confidence they needed to lead during turbulent times. It took off. I then started this newsletter to equip leaders in the same fashion each week for the doubt that crashes across the bow of their leaderSHIP.