Imposter syndrome: how self-doubt can spur a woman on

My impostor syndrome and I have a great relationship. Sure, we’ve had our misunderstandings and our lows, but she has always been there for me— a quiet presence I could always count on to wreck my confidence and gently dismantle the convictions I worked very hard to build. 

According to a KPMG study, 75% of executive women feel similarly, often questioning their worth despite their qualifications.  

Women can be warriors, explorers, leaders, and inventors AND fold socks. 

My impostor syndrome never really changed, but that’s ok. What did change was the way I looked at her. She went from being a bit of a drag - quite frankly - to being my driving force. The truth is that this self-doubt keeps us critically assessing our decisions, making us stronger leaders, and enabling us to take calculated risks.  

Women often bring unique perspectives and a collaborative leadership approach that enhances both financial performance and company culture. 

In many ways, impostor syndrome can be reframed as a catalyst for growth, shaping us into multifaceted professionals—adaptable and thoughtful leaders capable of building (production) companies from the ground up. 

While impostor syndrome can make me sound cynical and keep me on my toes, she hasn’t prevented me from being a loving mother and nurturer - and I’m not just talking about for my kids. As a woman navigating the syndrome’s challenges I also embody reliability and care. That sounds pretty exhausting, but clearly, I thrive on it. 

We really are not afraid to fail and this brings much opportunity for innovation. There are hits and misses, both always met with support. 

Women are natural-born risk-takers while also being nurturers. This isn't an oxymoron; in fact, I would argue that this combination defines the essence of womanhood.  

There’s a whole lot of literature out there about brave men - warriors, explorers, inventors, you name it - who took risks and changed the world. Growing up, I read about them and aspired to be like them. However, no rewriting of their bios will do justice to the women behind these great men preparing baths, folding socks, making budgets, working and God only knows what else.  

Women balance their work with their inclination to nurture, which, contrary to popular belief, is not a weakness but a strength.  

Women can be warriors, explorers, leaders, and inventors AND fold socks. This duality is something that doesn’t get discussed nearly enough. Many of us take risks daily, whether by pushing creative boundaries or empowering emerging talent. We balance this with our inclination to nurture, which, contrary to popular belief, is not a weakness but a strength.  

Women-led companies such as JOAN, a female-founded, independent creative agency, have proven this balance can foster creativity and innovation. Women leaders are not only taking risks; they’re redefining what a 'risk' looks like in business, from building inclusive teams to exploring new creative avenues that reshape industries.  

Look at how smart, determined and tough Kamala Harris has had to be to just get a chance at the job, and how little her opponent had to do to be in the exact same place... Women are held to higher standards.

“Lisa Clunie and Jaime Robinson, founders of JOAN, looked at the power of female warriors, the trail blazers in history and named their agency for those women" said Cheri Anderson, HoP at JOAN and MD of JOAN Studios. “As Head of Production I have been encouraged to take big swings as I build and define what production looks like for us. We really are not afraid to fail and this brings opportunity for innovation. There are hits and misses, both always met with support. This unwavering belief that there are different paths to success, means I in turn can support my team to take risks.”  

Women instantly recognise the common values and the shared fight we’ve all had to face to get a place in the sun.

When women lead, even those from conservative backgrounds, we do so to change society for the next generation - not out of egocentric needs. Our leadership enhances diplomacy and communication, which, in turn, is good for business. We have always managed budgets and saved and found money when there was none.  

Women often bring unique perspectives and a collaborative leadership approach that enhances both financial performance and company culture. 

Just consider that, according to research by Frank Recruitment Group quoted in DiversityQ.com, 87 per cent of the top 500 companies led by female decision makers reported above average profits in 2021 compared to 78 per cent of companies without a female CEO. 

As the founder of my company, I never tire of emphasising that the key to transforming the industry—and the world—is through women. Collaborate with them, start new companies together, or help them connect with other women who can. Despite a well-spread rumour, it’s never a catfight. Women instantly recognise the common values and the shared fight we’ve all had to face to get a place in the sun. It results in female-led companies that are inherently inclusive.  

87 per cent of the top 500 companies led by female decision makers reported above average profits in 2021.

As Gloria Pitagorsky, Partner and MD at Heard City—an audio post-production company in New York—notes, “Women often bring unique perspectives and a collaborative leadership approach that enhances both financial performance and company culture. Embracing these strengths is a significant advantage!”  

I guess I am not the first high-achieving woman who feels the need to constantly bite off more than she can chew. I know I won’t be the last one. 

Inclusivity cultivates diversity, and diversity is risky in the best possible way. Studies show that diverse teams led by women are more likely to succeed. A recent Biz2Credit study found that women-owned businesses are growing at a faster rate than their male counterparts, experiencing higher earnings growth (27 per cent increase) than male-owned firms (22 per cent increase) in 2022. Much of that growth stems from a collaborative, inclusive approach to leadership.