Have you ever felt like you're one misstep away from being "found out"? That's Imposter Syndrome talking—an all-too-common feeling, especially for high-achievers. It’s the inner critic that whispers, “You’re not good enough,” or worse, “You don’t deserve to be here.” And it’s exhausting. But what if I told you that one of the most powerful ways to tackle this overwhelming self-doubt is to truly know your core strengths?
That’s where Jayden, a Producer with a documentary production company, found herself stuck. Jayden had an impressive career—working on acclaimed projects and surrounded by some of the most creative minds in the industry. But despite her accomplishments, she felt like she didn’t belong. The accolades, the promotions, the invitations to speak at panels? In her mind, they were all flukes.
Her struggle? She couldn’t name her own strengths. She downplayed her talents and convinced herself she just “got lucky” along the way. And this lack of clarity was fueling her Imposter Syndrome. Jayden came to coaching feeling overwhelmed, not by the job itself, but by the constant fear that she didn’t measure up. She was stuck in a mental loop: “What if they find out I’m not as good as they think?”
The Power of Knowing Your Strengths
Imposter Syndrome thrives when we don’t have a solid understanding of our core strengths. It’s like going into battle without armor. If you don’t know what you’re good at, how can you combat those nagging doubts? When you’re unclear about what you bring to the table, it’s easy to believe you don’t deserve a seat there.
During coaching, we started by doing a deep dive into Jayden’s strengths. Through reflective exercises, assessments, and feedback from her colleagues, Jayden began to see a pattern emerge: she had an incredible ability to tell compelling stories, manage complex projects, and bring out the best in her team. These weren’t just “nice-to-haves” or flukes—these were her superpowers.
Knowing Your Strengths Diminishes Imposter Syndrome
When you identify your strengths, you gain confidence—not the kind that comes from external validation, but the kind rooted in self-awareness. Jayden’s Imposter Syndrome started to diminish the moment she could articulate her unique value. Once she acknowledged what made her exceptional, her fears of being “found out” started to quiet down.
Jayden had a habit of downplaying her role in the success of projects. She would credit everyone else’s contributions and minimize her own. But after recognizing her leadership and storytelling strengths, she shifted her mindset. Now, instead of attributing her success to luck, she sees it as the result of her abilities. This reframing helped her feel more secure in her role and made the fear of being “exposed” shrink.
Why This Works
Knowing your strengths acts as a shield against Imposter Syndrome. When you understand your capabilities and can articulate them clearly, self-doubt loses its grip. It’s not about bragging—it’s about owning your strengths in a way that feels authentic and true to you. For Jayden, this shifted everything. She went from questioning her place to stepping into her power, able to confidently say, “I belong here because of what I bring.”
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This newsletter is created by Phyllis Reagin, M.A., Executive and Leadership Coach and Imposter Syndrome expert. Phyllis is the founder of At the Coach's Table, a leadership development and team-building company serving the Entertainment/Media industry, To learn more about us visit here.