When I first became a manager, my excitement was weighed down by anxiety and fear. I walked into meetings with peers convinced I didn’t belong there. I worried that at any moment, someone would realize I didn’t have the skills or aptitude for the role, that I was somehow “faking it,” and that my promotion had been a mistake.
That feeling—imposter syndrome—hung over me like a dark cloud in those early days. I questioned my decisions, my voice, and whether I truly deserved my seat at the table. I was constantly afraid that I wasn’t good enough, and at times, that doubt was paralyzing.
Despite the fear and self-doubt, I showed up every day and did my best. There were mistakes, moments when I didn’t have the answers, and days when I struggled more than I’d care to admit. But those were also the moments when I was learning and growing the most. Those challenges didn’t discredit me; they shaped me.
One of the greatest gifts during that time was the people around me: Peers who reminded me I wasn’t alone, mentors who challenged me and believed in me, friends who listened when I needed reassurance. Their support mattered more than they will ever know.
Looking back now, I don’t see someone who was inadequate or undeserving of the job. I see someone who was scared of the unknown, afraid of failing, and deeply determined to prove, both to others and to myself, that I deserved to be there.
Over time, I realized that the antidote to imposter syndrome isn’t waiting for confidence to arrive—it’s taking action despite the fear. Growth doesn’t happen after anxiety disappears; it happens when we keep moving forward in spite of it.
—Danielle M., A/R Team Lead, Fisher Investments
