Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: The Hidden Barrier to Leadership 

78% of UK business leaders have experienced impostor syndrome at some point in their careers. 

Even at the top of their game, many still battle with self-doubt that can quietly erode decision-making, confidence, and leadership impact.

But why is impostor syndrome so prevalent among high achievers? And why does it continue to resurface, no matter how successful someone becomes?

Bodhi Aldridge is a leadership coach with two decades of experience coaching thousands of leaders across the globe. From billion-dollar company CEOs to elite athletes and musicians, he’s seen firsthand how pervasive impostor syndrome can be.

“One of our drivers as human beings comes from limiting beliefs,” he says. “There’s a part of us that’s trying to prove something to the world. And so often, the most successful people can still be driven by a sense that they’re not good enough.”

Ahead of his upcoming Vistage webinar, Overcoming Impostor Syndrome, we spoke to Bodhi to unpack why leaders struggle with impostor syndrome, how it quietly influences both teams and organisations, and what practical steps leaders can take to overcome it.

The real cost of impostor syndrome

“I’ve worked with senior CEOs who still think someone’s going to knock on the door and say, ‘what are you doing in this office?’” Bodhi says.

Imposter syndrome doesn’t just create quiet discomfort. It actively shapes how leaders behave. It undermines confidence, clouds decision-making, and can ultimately hold businesses back.

“One of the biggest costs is really the inability to make bolder decisions, because they segregate themselves. There’s that level of self-doubt,” says Bodhi.

“The other is that they can end up controlling and micromanaging employees because they’re concerned about being ‘found out’ as an impostor.”

Teams aren’t immune to impostor syndrome either. When self-doubt trickles down, it can quietly erode innovation, collaboration, and ambition across the organisation.

“A confident leader creates a confident team. But if the leader isn’t really connected and passionate about the vision and what’s possible, then the team will undoubtedly pick it up,” he adds.

Leading from the inside out

For leaders who want to make a meaningful impact, confidence isn’t about skills or experience. 

It’s about mindset. 

“Even when you know the industry better than anyone else, or even when you’ve done all the research, to feel confident and capable, you need to let go of the things that limit you,” he says.

And doing that starts from within.

“We process the world at a thinking level, an emotional level, and an intuitive level. And a lot of leaders are just processing from the thinking level,” he explains. 

“They’re trying to process the world based on analysis, logic, and external data. But 95% of our day is spent in our subconscious mind. All of that lives on the inside. It’s invisible.”

In an increasingly complex and fast-paced world, relying solely on logic leaves leaders reactive and disconnected from a deeper, more sustainable source of clarity. 

Instead, Bodhi helps leaders learn how to slow down, become more present, tap into their intuition and emotional wisdom and figure out what really drives them.

“When leaders become more present, they subconsciously start to notice, ‘I’m running a limiting belief,’ or ‘I’m running impostor syndrome,’” he adds. “I can then support them to acknowledge that and change it.”

Why leaders should attend the session

As a leader with a growth mindset, there’s always room for improvement. 

“You know, I often say Roger Federer had a coach right till the end. Not because he had problems, but because he wanted to keep improving,” Bodhi says. 

“This session is very much about becoming more self-aware, becoming more aware of what’s driving you, where your strengths are and also where your limitations are, how imposter syndrome and limiting beliefs may be holding you and your team back.

“It won’t just help you be a leader, but feel like a leader.”

Sign up for Bohdi’s session on October 22nd here.

0 views