How to build Confidence and overcome Imposter Syndrome

This is the first article in my new series: Practical Tips for Leaders and Managers.

Each week, I’ll share clear and practical tips to help you be a people-focussed leader - whether you're a new manager finding your feet or an experienced leader dealing with new challenges.

Over the next 10 weeks, we’ll explore topics like:

• Giving Better Feedback

• Managing and Prioritising your Time

• Running Effective Meetings

• Dealing with Conflict or Difficult Conversations

• Leading through Change

I’ve chosen these themes becuase they come up over and over again with the leaders, new managers and teams I coach.

In the first of the series we will explore:

How to Build Confidence and Overcome Imposter Syndrome

Why self-doubt is normal and what to do when it holds you back

I work with many leaders and managers, men and women, experienced and brand new and one of thing that comes up in the majority of exploratory calls or leadership development programmes is:

“I’ve got imposter syndrome.”

“I don’t feel confident.”

“I feel like I have to constantly prove I’m good enough for my role.”

“People say I look confident, but underneath the surface I’m just coping and panicking!”

Does that sound familiar?

These feelings are incredibly common, especially for capable, conscientious people doing something new or challenging or just trying to do the best job that they can.

You’re also not broken. And you’re definitely not an imposter.

The problem with giving yourself the label of “I’ve got Imposter Syndrome” is that it puts the issue inside you — like it’s a flaw or a medical condition (syndrome is a medical term) and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

The Oxford English Dictionary’s definition of imposter is:

“A person who pretends to be someone else in order to deceive others, especially for fraudulent gain.”

But you’re not pretending to be someone else, you are not a fraud. You are you, you are doing new things and learning and growing.

Start by reframing it as self-doubt not Imposter Syndrome.

The first thing is to recognise that this is a normal human response. You are not broken.

Secondly you can’t talk yourself out if - it’s not about thinking positively and pushing through because it’s sitting in your nervous system not your brain. You know it’s not rational and that’s why we end up beating ourselves up about it.

So no matter what you tell yourself or anyone says to you, it’s just your body and nervous system trying to keep you safe. When it senses “threat” like a new experience, a risky decision, or fear of judgment or failure, it reacts the same way it would to real danger: Fight. Flight. Freeze. People-please.

That means no amount of positive self-talk will fix it in the moment.

The real work is about teaching your nervous system, over time, that you are safe — and you can do hard things.

There’s no overnight confidence fix.

The only way to retrain your nervous system and your rational mind is to take small, repeated steps that show it that’s you’re safe - you’ve got this - you deserve to be here.

What Happens When Confidence Is Missing

When we’re overwhelmed by self-doubt it causes us to:

• Hiding, procrastinating or not stepping up to avoid being found out.

• Working too hard to compensate and prove ourselves.

• Over-preparing or micro-managing so we don’t loose control.

• Over-explaining or being defensive

• People-pleasing and not being able to say no, not now.

Confidence is built through taking small practical steps.

Practical Tips to Be More Confident

You can’t think your way out of self-doubt — but you can take small steps that build trust in yourself over time. Here’s where to start:

1. Let go of the label
   The word syndrome sounds like there’s something wrong with you. There isn’t. This isn’t a diagnosis — it’s a very normal response to growth.

2. Acknowledge What You’re Feeling
   Write it down to get it out of your head - these emotions are real but it’s not because you’re not capable. By naming it and writing it down, you distance yourself from them. You’re not overreacting — your body, your nervous system responding to perceived threat or danger.

3. Calm Your Nervous System
   Before doing something that feels scary, speaking up in a meeting, making a big decision or giving some difficult feedbck, pause to calm your system. This is physiological and shows your nervous system: “I’m safe, I’ve got this.” Try:
   - A few deep belly breaths
   - A quick walk, stretch
   - Some fresh air and sunlight or splashing cold water on your face
   - A grounding phrase like: “I am safe and capable.” and physically planting your feet on the floor to ground yourself.

4. Take a Small, Achievable Step
   Confidence is like a muscle - you build it through doing and discovering that you’re safe. This isn’t about giant leaps, it’s about small steps.
   Ask: “What’s one small thing I can do to move forward from here?”
   Don’t get held back by needing perfection, just take a small step.

5. Be Kind to Yourself
   You’re allowed to feel nervous. You’re allowed to not know everything. Talking back to the nagging voice in your head, your inner critic, as if you were your best friend giving the kindest advice.
   Ask: “What would I say to a friend feeling like this?”

6. Create a Safe Space to Reflect
   Build a habit of offloading what’s in your head so it doesn’t stay trapped there. Talking to friends or a partner can help but make time for quiet personal reflection by keeping a journal or notebook. This isn’t about keeping a diary - it’s about clearing space and building evidence. Use these prompts:
   - What three things went really well today (even small things)
   - What’s spinning in my head or what am I overthinking.
   - What is my inner critic saying and your kind, rational response
   - What 1–3 things would make tomorrow feel like a win?

7. Acknowledge and Celebrate Small Wins
   Make time to give yourself a pat on the back when things go well or you’ve done something brave. Acknowledge what you’ve achieved (even the tiny things). Write it in your journal to look back on in the future.

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Reflection Exercise: Building Confidence From the Inside Out

Take 10 quiet minutes to reflect on these prompts:

• Where in your work life do you feel confident?

• Where do you not?

• What’s one moment you handled well recently even if it felt hard?

• What “evidence” of your strengths, skills and experience are you forgetting?

• What’s one tiny step you could take this week to stretch yourself kindly?

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Would you like support to build your confidence and overcome self-doubt/imposter syndrome?

If self-doubt is holding you back, I can help you to":

• Understand what’s really going on beneath the surface

• Build confidence from the inside out

• Stop second-guessing and start trusting yourself.

Coaching gives you a safe, supportive space to say the things you can’t always say out loud — and figure out what you need to move forward with more confidence.

I offer a free first coaching call where we can explore what is holding you back and how coaching may help you get unstuck.
You can book a meeting straight into my diary using this link to Calendly - Book a Free Coaching Session >

You are also welcome to call me on 07966 475195 or email me at polly@pollyrobinson.co.uk.

Building Confidence in Leadership: A Guide to Success

Building Confidence in Leadership: A Guide to Success

Confidence is the foundation of leadership.

It drives decisions, shapes behaviours, and influences how others perceive and respond to you. A confident leader inspires trust, while a lack of confidence can sow seeds of doubt, not only within the leader themselves but also in their team. And here’s the truth: everyone, even the most accomplished leaders, faces moments of self-doubt. The secret lies in how they overcome it and continue moving forward.

Many leaders, especially those newly appointed or taking on greater responsibilities, struggle with imposter syndrome—the persistent feeling that they don’t deserve their position or are not truly qualified. This is more common than you might think, affecting both men and women, and can lead to anxiety, overworking, or perfectionism. However, confidence isn’t something you're born with—it’s a skill you can develop. The good news is that with the right strategies, you can build your leadership confidence and transform self-doubt into self-assurance. Here’s how:

1. Embrace Self-Awareness as Your Foundation

Leadership confidence starts with knowing yourself. Understand your strengths, but also your areas for growth. Self-awareness helps you manage how you react in high-pressure situations, recognise your triggers, and cultivate emotional intelligence. Regular self-reflection will allow you to view challenges as opportunities for growth, not as threats to your capabilities.

Make time to assess your emotional landscape, recognise your values, and understand your personal leadership style. Reflect on past experiences—what were your successes and failures, and what did you learn from both? With heightened self-awareness, you'll not only build confidence but also develop empathy, which is crucial for effective leadership.

2. Leverage Feedback as Fuel

While self-reflection is essential, external feedback provides the full picture. Seek constructive criticism from trusted peers, mentors, or your team. Honest, well-rounded feedback gives you a clearer sense of how you’re perceived, where you excel, and what can be improved. It’s important to create an environment where feedback is welcomed, not feared, so that those around you feel comfortable being honest with you.

Receiving feedback might sometimes be uncomfortable, but view it as a gift. If you take criticism constructively, it will help you grow and reinforce your confidence in the long run.

3. Celebrate Wins

Leaders often focus so much on their next goals that they forget to acknowledge their achievements. Celebrating even small victories will reinforce your belief in your abilities. Write down your successes—whether it’s navigating a tough decision, resolving a team conflict, or landing a key client—and return to this list whenever self-doubt creeps in.

This isn’t about being boastful, but about reminding yourself that you’ve earned your place as a leader. Keeping track of your achievements not only boosts morale but provides a record of the value you bring to the table.

4. Develop a Growth Mindset

Leaders with a growth mindset view challenges and setbacks as learning opportunities. Instead of fearing failure, embrace it as a stepping stone to improvement. This mindset shift is vital for developing leadership confidence because it reframes how you approach risks and decisions. You’ll become more resilient, adaptive, and, ultimately, more confident in handling complex or unfamiliar situations.

Ask yourself after every experience: What did I learn? What could I do differently next time? Continuous learning, both from success and failure, will reinforce that you are always growing and getting better.

5. Prioritise Self-Care and Resilience

Confidence isn’t just a mental game—it’s physical and emotional as well. Leadership roles are demanding, so it’s important to nurture your well-being. Prioritise your health, set clear boundaries to avoid burnout, and give yourself permission to recharge. Physical fitness, mindfulness, and adequate rest aren’t just good habits—they also fuel confidence by giving you the energy and focus to tackle challenges head-on.

Develop resilience by adopting routines that calm and centre you, like regular exercise, meditation, or journaling. Resilience in leadership doesn’t mean avoiding stress—it means bouncing back from adversity with greater strength.

6. Build Trust Through Vulnerability

It might seem counterintuitive, but displaying vulnerability can actually strengthen your leadership. When leaders show they don’t have all the answers or admit to making mistakes, it humanises them and fosters deeper connections with their teams. Admitting when you need help doesn’t weaken your leadership—it shows you’re confident enough to rely on others and value their input.

By being transparent about your challenges, you create a culture where your team feels safe to take risks and be open about their own difficulties. This level of trust builds a stronger, more resilient organisation and ultimately reinforces your leadership confidence.

7. Communicate Assertively, Not Aggressively

Clear, purposeful communication is one of the most powerful tools of a confident leader. Practice assertiveness, which strikes the right balance between passivity and aggression. Assertiveness is about communicating your needs, boundaries, and expectations with respect and clarity.

Learning how to communicate assertively fosters stronger relationships, builds respect, and ensures your voice is heard without causing conflict. When you communicate with conviction, people are more likely to follow your lead.

8. Visualise Success

Visualisation is a powerful tool used by top athletes and leaders alike. Before entering high-pressure situations—whether it’s a crucial presentation, a difficult conversation, or an important decision—take time to visualise success. Imagine yourself performing with confidence and clarity, and mentally rehearse the steps you’ll take.

Visualisation conditions your mind to expect success and can alleviate anxiety or hesitation. By mentally preparing yourself, you’ll enter situations with a clear sense of purpose and self-assurance.

9. Lead with Purpose

Confidence in leadership grows when your actions are aligned with your purpose. Know what drives you—whether it’s making an impact, achieving a long-term vision, or championing a cause. When you lead with purpose, your decisions and actions have deeper meaning, and you’ll inspire greater trust and respect from your team.

Purpose-driven leadership also ensures that your confidence doesn’t come off as arrogance because you’ll be grounded in authenticity and service to others. This kind of leadership inspires loyalty and cultivates a culture where everyone feels empowered to contribute.

10. Learn to Be Comfortable with Discomfort

Leadership often involves making tough decisions, navigating uncertainty, and stepping into unfamiliar territory. The more you embrace discomfort, the more your confidence will grow. It’s in these moments of challenge where real growth occurs. When faced with a difficult decision, remind yourself that no leader has all the answers, and that it’s okay to take calculated risks.

Confidence doesn’t come from avoiding challenges—it comes from overcoming them. Stepping into uncomfortable situations and making decisions despite the unknown will strengthen your leadership muscles over time.

11. Empower Your Team

Finally, a confident leader recognises the importance of empowering others. When you enable your team to take ownership of their work, make decisions, and grow, you not only build their confidence but reinforce your own leadership. A team that feels trusted and valued will reflect that trust back to you.

Delegate responsibilities, mentor your team, and celebrate their achievements. As they grow under your leadership, your own confidence will be reinforced by their progress and success.

Leadership Confidence is learned through experience

Confidence isn’t an innate trait—it’s built through experience, action, and persistence. Whether you’re overcoming imposter syndrome, facing new challenges, or navigating uncertainty, these strategies will help you build and sustain the confidence needed to lead effectively.

Leadership is a journey, and confidence is something you continually develop along the way. By embracing growth, acting with purpose, and empowering those around you, you will not only inspire trust and loyalty but also unlock your own potential as a confident, capable leader.