One of the most common human experiences is grappling with imposter syndrome in both our careers and our personal lives.
If you’re unfamiliar with the term, imposter syndrome can be defined as the feeling that you don’t belong in your role or that you’re not as capable as others think you are. It’s that internal voice that yells, “They’re going to figure out I don’t know what I’m doing!”
Whether you’re stepping into a leadership role or starting a CNC machine shop, there’s often a moment where you think, “Am I really ready for this?” But the truth is, most people aren’t fully ready for major career or life changes; they’re just figuring it out along the way.
Why This Feeling Shows Up
Imposter syndrome tends to appear when you’re doing something new. For leaders, this might mean:
- Managing a team for the first time
- Taking on more responsibility
- Making higher-stakes decisions
There’s a common misconception that leaders are supposed to have everything figured out, but even the most experienced leaders are learning as they go. That pressure to appear confident often makes people feel like they need to hide uncertainty, but that only fuels the problem.
Confidence Comes After Activity, Not Before
One of the biggest mistakes people make is waiting to take action until they feel confident. But what would happen if all of us waited until we felt fully confident? We’d probably never get started!
Here’s a quick task: Think about something you feel confident doing. Maybe it’s a work-related skill, like talking a customer through a problem they’re facing, or maybe it’s something in your personal life, like your ability to grill a perfect steak. The odds are pretty high that you’ve done tasks like that many times before. But think back to that first time you picked up the phone to call a customer or turned on a grill. You probably didn’t feel completely confident in your abilities, right?
Don’t wait to feel confident to act. Act by putting your best foot forward, and confidence will follow.
Turn Vulnerability Into Strength
You don’t need to have every answer; you just need to be willing to find them.
It may feel counterintuitive, but admitting when you don’t have all the answers can encourage collaboration and, as a result, lead to better outcomes.
Suffering in silence solves nothing. Humans are helpful by nature; you just have to be willing to ask.
Lean on Your Network
Learn from those who have been there
One of the most effective ways to move past imposter syndrome is to connect with others who have faced similar challenges and understand the uncertainty. Those are the right people to help you navigate it.
Grow through our Emerging Leaders program
Programs like NTMA’s Emerging Leaders are designed to support individuals stepping into new roles or taking on different challenges. It’s an environment where questions are encouraged and growth happens together.
Within the broader NTMA network, you’ll find leaders who are open about their challenges and willing to help others work through theirs.
You’re More Ready Than You Think
Feeling nervous doesn’t mean you’re weak; it means you care.
Give yourself some grace. Focus on progress rather than perfection. And always keep moving forward.
Because nobody has it all figured out; some people are just better at hiding it!
Lean into your NTMA community to gain confidence and learn insights from people who have been in your shoes before.
