Stop Talking About Imposter Syndrome

The first time I coached the President of a billion-dollar TV and movie production company in Hollywood, I was confident, but my stomach was full of butterflies. My brain kept screaming, “Is this really happening?!”

And that, my friends, is exactly what growth feels like.

We need to stop calling imposter syndrome a problem. Because the truth is: if you don’t feel it, I’d be more concerned.

That uncomfortable “who am I to do this?” feeling? It’s not proof that you don’t belong. It’s proof that your brain is rewiring itself. Neuroplasticity at work—your mind stretching into new territory, building new connections, upgrading your identity.

Feeling like an imposter means you’re not coasting. You’re expanding. You’re in the sweet spot where growth happens: uncomfortable, uncertain, but alive.

For leaders, this matters even more. If you only ever feel confident, you’re probably playing small. The best leaders normalize the discomfort of expansion. Teams grow stronger when they see their leaders admit uncertainty without shame.

Looking back, those butterflies weren’t a weakness; they were evidence of transformation.

Next time you feel like an imposter, don’t rush to fix it. Smile at it. Recognize it for what it is: your brain doing the hard work of change. It’s not a problem to cure. It’s proof you’re exactly where growth happens.