Monthly Coaching Insights - June 2026

Welcome to the second edition of my Monthly Coaching Insights email.

Each month, I’ll share a practical reflection from the coaching conversations I’m having with people navigating work, pressure and change, with the aim of making those insights useful in your own life.

This month’s theme is imposter syndrome.  It's more common than many people realise, with research suggesting that around 70% of people experience imposter feelings at some point.  I know I've experienced it myself a few times over the years.

The observation

Imposter syndrome is a phrase that gets used a lot, but in coaching conversations it's usually expressed differently.

People don't say, “I have imposter syndrome.”  More often, it sounds like:

“I know I can do this, but I still hesitate”

“I don’t know why, but I keep second guessing myself.”

“I’m worried they’ll realise I’m not as across this as I should be.”

That's usually where the useful work starts.  Because often, the issue isn't capability.

It's what happens internally when someone steps into greater visibility, pressure, responsibility, or uncertainty.

Where it tends to show up 

One thing I've noticed is that imposter syndrome tends to become louder when there's more perceived judgement.

For sales professionals, that might be outbound calling.  You know the value of what you offer.  You know the conversation could be useful for the prospect.  But before making the call, the mind starts running scenarios:

“What if I get rejected?”

“What if I sound too salesy?”

“What if I get my words wrong?"

For some, it shows up when meeting with senior stakeholders.  You may have earned your place in the room, but suddenly the internal dialogue shifts:

“Am I strategic enough?”

“Do I sound credible?”

“What if they ask something I cannot answer?”

For others, it might be public speaking or presenting.  Instead of focusing on the message, the value, or the people in the room, attention turns inward.

“How am I coming across?”

“Will this land?”

“What if I lose my train of thought?”

The common thread I see is that the person is capable.  They have the skills and experience and are often well prepared.

But in that moment, the internal voice starts running the show.  The focus shifts from what they know, what they can contribute, and why they are in the room, to how they might be judged, challenged, or found out.

That's where imposter syndrome can become so disruptive.  It doesn't remove someone’s capability.  It interrupts their access to it.

What is happening underneath 

When imposter feelings show up, the body can move into a form of threat response.

That can mean more adrenaline and cortisol in the system.  It might mean a faster heart rate, shallow breathing, tension, overthinking, or a strong urge to avoid the situation altogether.

At the same time, it becomes harder to access the parts of the brain we need most in those moments: perspective, reasoning, emotional regulation, and clear decision-making.

That's why telling yourself to “just be confident” often doesn't work.  You're not dealing with a simple confidence issue.  You're dealing with a nervous system that is trying to protect you from judgement, rejection, or getting something wrong.

The reality is that in many professional situations, those things aren't signs of danger. They're part of our personal and professional growth.

A more useful way to work with it 

The starting point is to stop treating the feeling as proof that something is wrong.

Feeling uncomfortable before a senior meeting, sales call, or presentation does not automatically mean you are underprepared or out of your depth.  It may simply mean the situation really matters to you.

The useful shift is to create enough space to get objective to the thought, rather than getting caught inside the emotion of it. 

Instead of “I’m not good enough,” it becomes: “I’m noticing the thought that I might not be good enough.”

That small shift matters as it gives you enough distance to ask a better question: “What is this thought trying to protect me from?”

It might be trying to protect you from judgement, rejection, failure or embarrassment.

Once you can see that, you are no longer just reacting to the thought.  You can work with it.

From there, regulate your state.  Slow your breathing, drop your shoulders, and lengthen the exhale.

Then shift the focus from self-protection to contribution.  Instead of asking, “How am I being perceived?” ask: “What am I here to contribute?”

That one question can shift your attention from how you're being judged to the value you are there to bring.

The aim isn't to remove every uncomfortable feeling.  The aim is to notice the imposter voice, understand what it is trying to communicate, and still act from capability rather than self-protection.

Easier said than done.  But that is the practice.

A final thought 

Imposter syndrome isn't usually a sign that you're out of your depth.  Typically, it's a sign that you're stepping into more visibility, responsibility, or uncertainty than your nervous system is used to.

The work isn't to get rid of every doubt.  It's to stop letting doubt make the decision for you.

If this resonates, it may be worth asking yourself:

"Where does this tend to show up for me?"

"And what would be different if I treated it as a signal to regulate, rather than a signal to retreat?"

Get in touch 

If this topic resonates, I’m always happy to talk it through. Email me at gavin@thriveagaincoaching.com if something stood out or sparked reflection.

Regards,

Gavin Smithen

Thrive Again Coaching