In a family of athletes, I tried emulating their interests—I even formed our school’s first girls’ track team in middle school, only to discover I hated running! Still, I’m grateful for the long series of coaches who encouraged me to keep trying, and I’m thankful for the friends and family who helped me explore activities I did enjoy like pickleball, paddleboarding, and hiking. Today, every time I confidently step onto a hiking trail or paddle out into the bay, I’m reminded of the power of support and guidance—the very essence of leadership coaching. It’s what drives me to help leaders like you elevate your leadership game.
When stepping into leadership, especially at the executive level, it’s normal for self-doubt to creep in and for your confidence to waver. It’s called “imposter syndrome.” The frightened part of your brain screams that you’re not ready, that you don’t deserve this, that you’re simply not strong enough to lead with wisdom and authority. But that frightened part of your brain won’t guide you to success. You need to tap into your sage brain—the part filled with wisdom, creativity, and courage. If you look inward and shut out the inner noise telling you why you’ll fail, you’ll see that your competence has already brought you this far. You have what it takes to excel at the next level of leadership, particularly with the right coach to inspire, support, and help you tame your imposter syndrome.
When your confidence falters, pause and take a few deep breaths. Reflect on the journey that brought you here and the strengths you’ve cultivated along the way: The depth of knowledge you possess; The invaluable experience you bring; the education you’ve earned and the lessons you’ve learned; the people you’ve mentored and those who’ve guided you; the creativity, imagination, and vision that define your leadership. Then, identify just one step you can take to move forward. You don’t need to have all the answers—just the courage to take that next step. Embrace boldness. Show up with a leadership presence that inspires confidence in others.
As you move forward, each step will reveal the next, building a path toward continued growth and success. It will help you trust your ability to learn and adapt. In her Forbes article, “The Most Important Advice for Women in 2025,” Joan Michelsen writes, “There will always be more to learn, but what you bring is unique.” [1] Your uniqueness is your greatest asset, whether you’re stepping into your first leadership role or navigating the executive suite. Embrace your uniqueness. Claim the confidence to lead authentically and powerfully. Then find a coach who understands your gifts as well as your challenges—a coach who is invested in your success and the unique strengths and insights you can share with your organization as you are.
“There will always be more to learn, but what you bring is unique.” [1]
When you need a boost in your confidence game, I invite you to contact me at admin@maryscifres.com or sign up for a complimentary Discovery Session. Together, we’ll ensure you’re bringing your winning game to your leadership journey.
[1] Michelson, Joan. “The Most Important Advice for Women in 2025”, Forbes, 12/27/2024, https://www.forbes.com/sites/joanmichelson2/2024/12/27/the -most-important-advice-for-women-in-2025/
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