When Your Confidence is Quiet but Your Doubt is Loud
Back in the early days of Indra Nooyi’s rise at PepsiCo, as one of the few women and an immigrant navigating the towering halls of corporate America, she often felt like she didn’t belong. Despite her sharp mind and rock-solid performance, she once confessed to feeling like a fraud waiting to be exposed.
Now, if someone of Nooyi’s calibre wrestled with imposter syndrome, it is likely that many oof you have experienced the same.
Especially for introverted leaders—those of you who think deeply, speak deliberately, and lead from the back of the room—this internal critic can be relentless. And here’s the truth: it doesn’t discriminate. Even in the C-suite, where the world assumes you’ve made it, imposter syndrome still whispers: “You’re not good enough.”
You are. And there are ways of reframing and taking a different perspective which will help.
Recognising Imposter Syndrome in your Leadership
Imposter syndrome doesn’t always show up as self-doubt in the traditional sense. In leaders—particularly introverted ones—it often hides behind these signs:
Over-preparation: You never feel ready enough, so you overcompensate looking to achieve perfection.
Downplaying achievements: You attribute success to luck or timing instead of your skill and strategy.
Reluctance to delegate: If someone else handles it, they might do it better—and you find that intimidating.
Fear of being ‘found out’: Despite your professionalism, promotions and accolades, you fear exposure as a “fraud.” (If only they knew is the narrative running through your mind)
Let’s be clear it’s not weakness. It’s your natural response to high expectations (more often than not your own) —especially when your inner world is louder than your outer voice.
Three Strategies to Move Through Imposter Syndrome
Name It to Tame It
In my book “I See You”, I write powerfully about the importance of “seeing” yourself clearly before you can lead others authentically. That includes seeing the inner critic for what it is—a voice trying to protect you, not define you.
Take five minutes to write down: What do I believe people expect from me? Think about where you might be setting unrealistic expectations for yourself?
Naming the pressure starts to disarm its power.
Anchor in Evidence, Not Emotion
Your emotions are valid, but they aren’t always rational. Make a habit of collecting *evidence* of your competence. Create a “leadership wins” file—screenshots, emails, project outcomes—and review it monthly. Not for broadcast but for reminder.
This helps you shift from “I don’t know what I’m doing” to “I’ve done this before—and succeeded.”
Lead from Identity, Not Insecurity
In chapter two of my book “I See You”, I remind you that “leadership is influence—nothing more, nothing less.” (John Maxwell quote) It’s not about having all the answers. It’s about showing up with integrity, being human, and making space for others to shine.
As an introverted leader, your strength isn’t in loud charisma—it’s in deep presence, thoughtful questions, and listening that builds trust. Stop trying to lead like someone else. Start leading like the best version of you.
From Imposter to Integrated
Imposter syndrome isn’t something to “cure.” It’s something to integrate—a signal to come back to your values, reconnect with your why, and practice self-leadership with the same care you give your team. Perhaps a more authentic way of looking at this is – humility. In demonstrating humility you are not taking yourself too seriously. Be grateful you are in the position you are and use it for good.
You’re not an imposter. You’re a leader who’s learning to own their worth from the inside out.
And your quiet confidence? That’s actually your superpower.
Photo by Mery Khachatryan on Unsplash
