Cheryl's Story: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

When I stepped into my new senior management role at a national company, I thought my years of experience would be enough to carry me through. However, I quickly discovered that this new role was a different kind of challenge altogether. Almost immediately, I felt like I was drowning. The expectations, the pressure, and my constant comparison to my more seasoned peers, all left me feeling like an imposter. No matter how hard I worked or how many hours I put in, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was in over my head.

I started to run on empty. I couldn’t stop. I was always “on”. I was checking emails late at night, pushing through exhaustion, sacrificing family time for work. I told myself this was temporary, just until I “caught up.” But deep down, I knew something was off. My relationships were straining under the pressure, my confidence was fading, and I even started questioning whether I was the right person for this job.

That’s when I turned to coaching. I realized I couldn’t keep going like this, and I needed help. At first, I thought I just needed strategies—better time management, productivity hacks, ways to work smarter. But what I actually found was something much deeper.

I started to see that I had lost sight of what I truly wanted. I had been so focused on proving

myself that I never stopped to recognize that I was already capable. I had earned this role, and the only person doubting me was me. Coaching helped me challenge the story I was telling myself and guided me toward a different perspective where I could trust my own leadership and own my success. I rediscovered my strengths and my resources. That felt amazing.

Now, I feel competent and have control over my choices and my life again. I set boundaries and I can lead with clarity. Most importantly, I make space for the people and moments that matter most to me. Coaching help me succeed in my role and it helped me step fully into the leader I was meant to be.

These are real stories from real clients. Names and some details have been removed to protect confidentiality.