The Wake-Up Call I Didn’t See Coming: Imposter Syndrome in Women Leaders

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Building Leadership Confidence for Women

The Fear That Almost Held Me Back

Several years ago, I was invited to speak at a Women in Automotive conference in front of a room filled with professionals and peers from across the industry.

My first instinct was to decline. I was terrified and convinced myself I wasn’t ready. Self-doubt crept in like an old, familiar voice whispering:

“I’m too young.”
“Am I even qualified to be on the panel?”
“What if I get asked a question I can’t answer?”

I obsessed over everything—my headshot, my outfit, even whether my story was worth sharing. I questioned my value, my credibility, and whether I truly belonged in that space.

Looking back now, I realize that what I was experiencing wasn’t a lack of experience — it was imposter syndrome. I will clearly explain that in this article as well as the effect and how to overcome imposter syndrome in women leaders.

What Is Imposter Syndrome?

Imposter syndrome is a persistent belief that you’re not as competent or capable as others perceive you to be, even when there’s clear evidence of your success. For many women in business leadership, it shows up as self-doubt, perfectionism, and the fear of being “found out.”

For women leaders, it often means second-guessing your achievements or feeling undeserving of opportunities you’ve earned. And like so many others, I almost let it steal an opportunity that would change everything.

The Moment Everything Changed

That day, I walked onto the stage and took my seat next to four accomplished women. As I listened to their stories and journeys, something unexpected happened — a shift.

While they spoke about dealership experiences, I realized something powerful: I was the only woman on that panel who had bought and operated her own dealership.

My business wasn’t inherited or handed down. I purchased it in another country, Canada, just two years after moving there. My husband and I partnered with an automotive M&A firm to buy our first Kia dealership in Mississauga, Ontario.

In that moment, the narrative I had believed for years fell apart. I stopped seeing myself as an imposter and started recognizing myself as what I truly was, a capable, confident woman who had earned her success.

That moment was my wake-up call.

Recognizing the Habit of Shrinking

As I reflected, I realized the issue had never been experience. It was the habit of shrinking, the quiet way women minimize their achievements because they don’t want to seem too confident, too bold, or “too much.”

I had grown up in the automotive world, surrounded by strong voices and big personalities. Industry events were never encouraged. They were seen as distractions, not opportunities.

So, I learned to stay quiet. To work hard behind the scenes. To play small, even when I’d already earned the right to take up space.

But that day on stage taught me something vital: confidence isn’t granted; it’s claimed.

And claiming it starts by acknowledging what you’ve already accomplished.

How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome and Build Leadership Confidence

Overcoming imposter syndrome in women leaders isn’t about becoming louder; it’s about becoming more aware.

Here’s how women can start leading with confidence, authenticity, and purpose-driven leadership:

1. Acknowledge and Celebrate Your Achievements

Stop brushing off your accomplishments. Confidence grows from recognition, not comparison. Write them down, celebrate them, and own the work you’ve done.

2. Reframe Self-Doubt as a Sign of Growth

Self-doubt doesn’t mean you’re unqualified. It means you care. Every leader faces uncertainty; those who succeed learn to move forward despite it.

3. Surround Yourself with a Leadership Community for Women

Isolation fuels insecurity. Connection builds confidence.
Join spaces that reinforce your growth, like Drive Her Forward, a women’s leadership platform and personal development community for ambitious women who want to grow through accountability, confidence, and clarity.

4. Practice Purpose-Driven Leadership

Lead with clarity and intention. When you connect your mission to your leadership, confidence follows naturally. This is leadership by design, not by default.

5. Replace Perfection with Progress

Perfection is just another mask. Focus on consistent, structured personal development, the kind that prioritizes reflection and growth over performance.

The Power of Seeing Yourself Clearly

That conference changed everything. I walked in doubting my worth, and I walked out owning it.

Confidence didn’t come from applause or validation; it came from seeing myself clearly for the first time. I realized I’d earned my seat. I’d earned my success. And I didn’t need permission to lead boldly.

We often think ambition is the problem when really, the problem is self-sabotage. We’re not underqualified; we’ve just underestimated ourselves for too long.

You’ve earned your place. You deserve to be heard.

So, the next time opportunity calls, don’t shrink, stand tall and answer.

Join the Drive Her Forward community, a female leadership platform designed to help women in business leadership lead with intention, confidence, and authenticity.

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