Despite your success, self-doubt has a nasty habit of creeping in anyway. You may have no apparent reason to feel like you do – but that doesn’t stop these feelings from rearing their ugly heads. I know I’ve experienced self-doubt in my professional life – as a leader, an entrepreneur, and someone willing to take risks, it’s inevitable.
But we don’t have to live with self-doubt. Once you recognize where these sentiments come from, you’ll be better equipped to understand and overcome…leading to bigger and better things!
6 Sources of Self-Doubt in Leadership
Source #1 – Imposter Syndrome
Many high-achieving individuals suffer from imposter syndrome. This manifests in a strong feeling of being a fraud despite undeniable accomplishments. They may believe they don’t deserve their success, are duping or deceiving others, or don’t know what they’re doing. These individuals may chalk their success up to luck and happenstance rather than ability. Imposter syndrome can be triggered by high or unrealistic expectations, beginning a new role (especially in uncharted territory), or comparing oneself to others.
Source #2 – Perfectionism
Perfectionism can be insidious. While there’s nothing wrong with wanting to do everything well, perfectionism often leads to self-doubt and self-sabotage. Many perfectionists feel they shouldn’t try anything unless they’re confident it can be executed flawlessly. Perfectionists will beat themselves up over subpar efforts, even when learning and acquiring new skills. This is often at odds with the ever-important growth mindset that sees failure as a learning opportunity.
Perfectionism turns into procrastination and self-doubt.
Source #3 – Uncharted Territory
Understandably, you may feel self-doubt when doing something new. New skills, new roles, new teams. It may differ from what you’ve done before or be minor changes contributing to unease. Taking on new responsibilities or entering unfamiliar territory can trigger self-doubt, as the professional may feel unprepared or uncertain about their ability to succeed.
Source #4 – Lack of Validation
Though it’s always a bad idea to hinge your self-esteem and confidence on other people, it’s very much a part of human nature. We want to be seen and acknowledged for our efforts. Professionals might question whether their performance is up to snuff without regular, constructive feedback or validation from others. As a leader, remember to give constructive feedback and validate a job well done. People will doubt their ability if you provide no feedback or only criticism.
Source #5 – Unhealthy Comparison
“Comparison is the thief of joy.”
There will always be someone better at your job than you are. I get it: sometimes comparisons are helpful. They can spur us on to greater heights of achievement. But beware! Constantly comparing yourself to peers or industry leaders can lead to feelings of inadequacy, even when highly and objectively qualified. Find admirable qualities in others. Adopt their work ethic. But don’t make the mistake of thinking your journey should match theirs.
Source #6 – Societal Expectations
It’s impossible to “win” capitalism. As leaders, business owners, and entrepreneurs, we’re constantly being pushed to greater heights. That’s not bad, but the ever-moving goalposts can make you feel you aren’t doing enough despite your accomplishments. What you’ve done up until now may not compare to what you’ll go on to do, but these achievements are worth celebrating. Be proud of what you’ve done thus far.
What to Do with Self-Doubt
Now that we’ve covered some of the sources of self-doubt…what do we do with it? When your confidence falters, understand that those emotions can be used to facilitate growth.
When you’re doubting yourself:
Embrace discomfort. You may just be stretching untrained muscles and learning new skills. Lacking confidence may be indicative of growing pains.
Wear your laurels. Reinforce your proven ability by reflecting on your accomplishments thus far. Use undeniable evidence to iterate your capabilities.
Seek feedback. You might need some reassurance from an objective point of view. Solicit performance reviews, invest in mentoring relationships, and be open to constructive criticism.
Evaluate stress levels. Stress can impact mood and perception. Burnout leads to self-doubt. If you’re taking care of yourself and prioritizing work-life balance, you’re less likely to succumb.
Adopt the growth/learner’s mindset. The more you see yourself as a person of infinite potential, the less room for self-doubt. You recognize that you don’t know everything – and neither does anyone else, for that matter. You embrace failure because it can teach us. You pursue new skills and knowledge because you recognize room for growth.
Self-doubt flourishes when we limit ourselves. Evaluate your strengths, work on your weaknesses, and embrace your infinite potential!
What do you do when you need a confidence boost? Share your strategies in the comments.