Why Leaders Struggle With Confidence (and Why It’s Not Always Bad)

If you’re a leader who sometimes feels like a fraud, you’re not broken. You’re not failing. You’re actually… normal. (And maybe even better off than the leader who never doubts themselves.)

The Myth of the Always-Confident Leader

We picture leaders who stride into the room, booming with certainty. But those leaders? Often the most dangerous. Overconfidence blinds them to risk and silences other voices.

Why Leaders Struggle With Confidence

1. Visibility: Leadership shines a spotlight on you.

2. Complexity: No leader can know everything.

3. Comparison: “I’m not like my predecessor.”

And here’s the twist: that struggle isn’t always bad.

Can Doubt Become an Advantage?

That wave of “I don’t belong here” can actually push leaders to:

• Learn more.

• Listen better.

• Stay humble.

That’s what my concept of security stacking is all about — building layers of confidence so leaders can operate with stability, even when doubt shows up.

Quick Story

When I stepped into a healthcare executive role, I had the resume, but I still felt like I was about to get caught pretending. Instead of using it as fuel, I spiraled, didn't ask questions, and sabotaged myself. I allowed that discomfort to hurt me as a leader.

Takeaway

Struggling with confidence isn’t a sign you’re failing, it’s a sign you’re growing, try to embrace it and use it to fuel your growth. You will never regret trying.

Sooooo, the next time doubt shows up, ask yourself: what layer of security can I build today?