How to move from Self-Doubt to Authority – The Internal Shift Senior Leaders Must Make | #64

What if the biggest barrier to your confidence isn’t your capability, but your identity?In this episode of the Connected Leadership Podcast, Rich and Dave explore a familiar but rarely addressed experience: stepping into a more senior role yet still feeling like you don’t quite belong there.Despite the promotion, the track record, and the external validation, many leaders still carry an internal narrative of self-doubt. Often described as imposter syndrome, this experience isn’t about a lack of competence. It’s about an identity gap.Drawing on the Zentano Confidence Compass, Rich explains how confidence is shaped by the interaction between competence and self-worth, and why these don’t always move in sync. The episode focuses on the “self-doubter mask”, a pattern where leaders underplay both their capability and the value they bring, particularly under pressure.Through practical examples, personal reflection, and simple micro-practices, this conversation offers a grounded way to shift from “performing a role” which can be unreliable to genuinely owning it and therefore being authentic and more stable.As part of the Confidence in Leadership series, this episode highlights a core idea: leadership confidence isn’t about pretending or pushing harder. It’s about developing a more accurate, balanced, and connected relationship with yourself.Key Talking PointsWhy confidence gaps often persist after promotion or success The difference between competence and self-worth, and how they interactUnderstanding the “identity gap” behind imposter syndromeThe “self-doubter mask” and how it shows up under pressureWhy social media may amplify self-doubt through unhealthy comparisonThe shift from performing a role to owning itThe concept of the “connected centre” and grounded leadership presencePractical micro-practices: reframing, preparation, and reflection