Imposter Syndrome: You Deserve A Seat at the Table
From Imposter to Influencer: How Self-Doubt Became My Greatest Teacher
For years, I sat in rooms wondering if I belonged—quietly questioning whether someone would eventually realize I didn’t.
I grew up in manufacturing. Back then, I never imagined I’d one day have a seat at the table—let alone question who else should be sitting there with me.
I was a divorced mom, raising an incredible daughter, when I made the move into a salaried role. That’s when the doubt really began.
Am I an imposter? Do I really belong here?
Then something unexpected happened—people believed in me before I believed in myself.
They encouraged me to go back to school.
Work full-time. Raise a child. Go to school?
There was no way.
I told myself I wasn’t smart enough.
But I tried anyway.
What I learned wasn’t just academics—it was resilience, time management, and grit. Skills that carry into every corner of life.
Was it hard? Yes.
Did I cry? Absolutely.
But I wasn’t alone.
I had a support system that never wavered—a husband who believed in me, a daughter who encouraged me, and mentors at work reminding me daily: this is possible.
Then came 2009.
The financial crisis hit, and like so many others, everything felt uncertain. I froze. I put my degree on pause and questioned everything again.
Should I just quit?
Instead of walking away, I shifted.
If I couldn’t move forward in the traditional way, I would grow differently.
I leaned into leadership learning wherever I could find it—online courses, development sessions, and volunteer work with non-profits. I kept building, just in a different direction.
That season taught me something critical: growth doesn’t always look linear—but it still counts.
Eventually, I found my way back.
I walked across that stage graduating Sigma Cum Laude.
And I didn’t stop there—I went on to earn my MBA.
Still, that voice lingered.
When I was recruited to a company states away, I remember thinking:
They must have made a mistake.
But I went anyway.
As the only woman on the leadership team, the doubt crept in again. That familiar question:
Do I really belong here?
Then my boss said something that has stayed with me ever since:
“You deserve a seat at the table.”
And slowly, I started to believe it.
I didn’t lead by having all the answers—I led by listening. By seeking to understand. By showing up.
And I realized something powerful:
The table isn’t just about having a seat—it’s about creating space for others.
Today, I am passionate about investing in others—mentoring, listening, and helping people push past that same voice of doubt and find their place.
Because imposter syndrome doesn’t mean you don’t belong.
It means you’re growing.
Final thought:
If you’ve ever questioned whether you belong—this is your reminder:
You do.
Find your mentors—both formal and informal.
Lean into listening to understand.
And most importantly, don’t let doubt decide your story.
Take your seat. You’ve earned it.
