Trust yourself. This simple yet powerful advice has been my guiding light throughout my entrepreneurial journey. As someone who’s built and sold multiple businesses, I’ve faced countless moments of self-doubt, wondering if I truly belonged at the table or if I was just lucky to be there.
We all experience that nagging feeling sometimes—that voice suggesting we’re frauds about to be exposed. There’s actually a name for this: imposter syndrome. It’s that persistent belief that you’re not as competent as others think you are, despite evidence of your success.
The Universal Experience of Self-Doubt
What’s truly astounding is how universal this feeling is. Throughout my career building companies like Hawke Media and growing businesses like Ellie.com, I’ve felt that sense of inadequacy at various points. The revelation came when people started openly discussing imposter syndrome—suddenly it became clear that everyone experiences these feelings, even the most accomplished leaders in any industry.
I wish more people had talked about this earlier in my career. Knowing that feeling out of place is completely normal would have saved me countless hours of unnecessary anxiety.
Breaking Down Imposter Syndrome
Imposter syndrome typically shows up in several ways:
- Attributing success to external factors like luck rather than your abilities
- Fearing others will discover you’re not as capable as they think
- Dismissing praise and focusing on perceived shortcomings
- Setting impossibly high standards for yourself
- Feeling like you don’t belong among your peers
These feelings can be particularly intense for entrepreneurs and business leaders who face high-stakes decisions daily. When I was growing Swag of the Month or scaling Hawke Media, these doubts would creep in during critical moments.
The Power of Self-Trust
The most effective counter to imposter syndrome is developing genuine self-trust. This doesn’t mean blind confidence or ignoring areas for growth. Rather, it means acknowledging your capabilities, experiences, and the unique perspective you bring to the table.
When I look back at my most successful business decisions, they came when I trusted my instincts despite uncertainty. Self-trust isn’t about knowing everything—it’s about believing in your ability to figure things out.
Here’s what trusting yourself actually looks like in practice:
- Recognizing your achievements are earned, not accidental
- Accepting that making mistakes doesn’t make you a fraud
- Valuing your unique perspective and experiences
- Taking calculated risks based on your judgment
Building this self-trust takes practice. Start by acknowledging your accomplishments and the skills that got you there. Document your wins, however small they might seem.
Creating a Culture of Authenticity
As business leaders, we have a responsibility to normalize these conversations. By openly discussing our own moments of doubt, we create space for others to do the same. This transparency builds stronger teams and more resilient organizations.
In my companies, I’ve tried to create environments where people feel comfortable acknowledging both strengths and uncertainties. When team members trust themselves, they make better decisions and take smarter risks.
The most successful people I know aren’t those who never doubt themselves—they’re the ones who continue moving forward despite those doubts. They trust that they can handle whatever challenges arise.
Moving Forward with Confidence
If you’re struggling with imposter syndrome right now, remember that you’re in good company. Nearly everyone experiences these feelings at some point. The key difference is whether you let those doubts paralyze you or use them as motivation to grow.
Trust what you know. Trust your abilities. Trust that you can learn what you don’t yet understand. Most importantly, trust that you deserve to be exactly where you are.
The next time that voice of doubt creeps in, remember this: feeling like an imposter doesn’t make you one. It just makes you human—and possibly more qualified than you realize.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How common is imposter syndrome among successful entrepreneurs?
Imposter syndrome is incredibly common among entrepreneurs at all levels of success. In my experience networking with other business founders and leaders, I’ve found that nearly everyone experiences these feelings at some point, regardless of their achievements. Many of the most accomplished entrepreneurs I know still battle occasional self-doubt, even after multiple successful ventures.
Q: Can imposter syndrome actually be beneficial in some ways?
While imposter syndrome is often viewed negatively, it can sometimes serve as a motivating force. That feeling of needing to prove yourself can drive continuous learning and improvement. The key is balancing healthy self-assessment with paralyzing self-doubt. When managed properly, those feelings can keep you humble and open to growth opportunities without undermining your confidence to make decisions.
Q: What’s the first step to overcoming feelings of being an imposter?
The first crucial step is simply recognizing that these feelings are normal and nearly universal. Naming the experience as imposter syndrome rather than a personal failing immediately reduces its power. The next step is documenting your achievements, skills, and positive feedback you’ve received. Creating this evidence-based counter-narrative helps challenge the unfounded belief that you don’t belong or aren’t qualified.
Q: How can leaders help team members who are experiencing imposter syndrome?
Leaders can make a significant impact by openly discussing their own experiences with self-doubt. This normalizes these feelings and creates psychological safety. Additionally, providing specific, meaningful feedback about team members’ contributions helps combat vague feelings of inadequacy. Creating mentorship opportunities and celebrating both efforts and outcomes also helps build confidence in team members who might be questioning their abilities.
Q: Does imposter syndrome ever completely go away with experience?
In my experience, imposter syndrome doesn’t completely disappear, but it does change form and intensity over time. With experience, you develop better tools for managing these feelings when they arise. You learn to recognize the pattern and can more quickly counter negative thoughts with evidence of your capabilities. The goal isn’t eliminating these feelings entirely but developing the resilience to move forward productively despite them.
