When You Feel Like You Don’t Belong, but You’re Already Leading

Imposter Syndrome in High-Stakes Spaces

I still remember the moment I was asked to serve as department chair. It was the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, and our academic unit was preparing for a high-stakes accreditation site visit. On paper, I was ready—trained, organized, and deeply familiar with the work. But as the youngest leader in every room, I often found myself second-guessing, shrinking, and wondering: Am I really the right person for this right now?

That’s the insidious nature of imposter syndrome—it creeps in even when you're fully equipped. It’s not about a lack of preparation. It’s about being in spaces that have historically undervalued your presence—and still walking in with power.

What carried me through wasn’t just strategy; it was legacy.

Senior leaders extended visibility and trust. But even more powerful were my heritage partners—mentors, family, and cultural anchors—who reminded me:
“You ain’t just start leadin’. You just remembered.”

Their voices gave me the courage to take the reins and lead that department to:

• 8 years of reaccreditation

• A move to a new 10,000 sq ft facility

• Stewardship over a legislative budget that fully outfitted a public clinic and modernized every classroom

Yes, I felt fear. But I led anyway. And that is leadership.

“You don’t have imposter syndrome because you’re inadequate.
You feel it because you’re powerful in a place that wasn’t built for you.”

If you’re in a season where you’re questioning your readiness, I invite you to reframe it:
This isn’t a test of worth. It’s an affirmation of legacy.

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