Feeling Like an Imposter? Why That’s a Good Thing (And How to Flip It Into Fuel)

Let’s be real for a moment.

If you’ve ever walked into a meeting, looked around the room, and thought, “What am I doing here?”—you’re not alone.

In fact, if you’re stepping into school leadership for the first time, imposter syndrome probably shows up like clockwork. The pressure to “have it all together,” to have the answers, and to instantly prove yourself is real. But here’s the truth that rarely gets said out loud:

Imposter syndrome isn’t a sign you’re failing. It’s a sign you’re growing.

Let me explain why—and more importantly, how to use it as fuel for your leadership journey.

The Myth of the “Ready” Leader

Confidence is often misunderstood in our profession. We imagine that confident leaders are the ones who walk in cool, calm, and collected. That they know exactly what to say and when to say it. That they never second-guess themselves.

But that’s a myth.

The real confidence comes from this: a willingness to act, even before you feel ready. This is what I call the Competence–Confidence Loop. You act ➝ you learn ➝ you grow ➝ you build confidence ➝ and you act again.

It’s not about perfection. It’s about progression.

What Imposter Syndrome Actually Tells You

When I became a principal, I vividly remember my mentor telling me,

“Daphne, you’ve got eighteen months to embrace your rookie status—so learn fast!”

At first, I laughed. But the message stuck. There was something freeing in knowing I didn’t have to have it all figured out. That making mistakes was not only expected—but essential.

That first stage of leadership? I now call it The Swamplands. It’s murky. You feel unsure. Every task feels harder than it should. You miss your old job where you knew the rhythm, the relationships, and the right answers.

But here’s the silver lining:

You’re in the middle of a major transformation.

You’re building new neural pathways, stretching your thinking, and growing stronger every day.

Reframing the Feeling

So how do you reframe that inner voice that says “You’re not good enough”?

Start by renaming the feeling.

You’re not an imposter—you’re a beginner. A novice. Someone courageous enough to leave comfort behind and lead from the edge of growth.

Then, add in these five practical strategies to flip imposter syndrome on its head:

1. Take Action

Even small steps count. Confidence comes from doing. So raise your hand, give the presentation, send the email. Every action is a deposit in your confidence bank.

2. Call on Your Alter Ego

When you feel shaky, channel someone you admire. Ask, “What would they do in this moment?” Let their energy guide you until yours kicks in.

3. Prepare and Practice

Preparation is a confidence booster. Rehearse your staff meeting, map out your talking points, test the tech. You’ll feel calmer when you’ve walked through it once already.

4. Shift Your Mindset

Repeat this: “If it doesn’t challenge me, it doesn’t change me.” Discomfort means you’re evolving. See it as a sign of strength, not a weakness.

5. Focus on You

Prioritize your development. Set boundaries. Rest when you need to. Your leadership journey doesn’t have to match anyone else’s timeline.

Why This Matters

I waited 14 years after earning my principal qualifications to apply for a leadership role. Why? Because I kept telling myself I wasn’t “ready.” I thought I needed more courses, more experience, more of… something.

What I needed was a mindset shift.

The moment I reframed my fear as a sign of growth—and gave myself permission to learn on the job—everything changed.

Want to Go Deeper?

If this post resonated with you, I wrote an entire chapter on this inside my latest book:

Beyond the First-Year Principal: 23 Powerful Lessons for the Conscious Leader

You’ll learn:

• How to identify where you are on the Personal Leadership Continuum

• Why discomfort is actually your secret superpower

• And the exact tools to build confidence—even when you’re unsure

Grab your copy today and start shifting from self-doubt to self-trust.

Need a Supportive Leadership Community?

This is exactly the kind of conversation we’re having inside The Principal’s Collective—a community built just for new and aspiring principals.

If you’re tired of going it alone, second-guessing yourself, or feeling like no one gets what you’re going through, this is your place.

Inside, we:

• Normalize the messy middle

• Share simple, practical leadership tools

• Celebrate small wins

• And remind each other that you’re not alone

Click here to join The Principal’s Collective — we’d love to welcome you in.

You are not alone. You are not behind.

You are becoming.

Keep going. You’re doing better than you think.