“Doubt is a killer. You just have to know who you are and what you believe in, and then go for it.”
Joan Rivers
Overcoming Doubt: Clarity and Action for Confident Leadership
Doubt is a slow thief. It doesn’t crash in like a wrecking ball—it creeps, whispers, lingers. One hesitation turns into a pattern, and before you know it, you’ve spent weeks, months, maybe even years questioning yourself instead of taking action.
I’ve stood at the edge of a big decision, knowing what needed to be done—but frozen by doubt. My mind flooded with what-ifs. What if I’m wrong? What if I fail? My hands hovered over the keyboard, my stomach knotted with hesitation. Instead of stepping forward, I hesitated—waiting for certainty that never came. This isn’t new for me, I’ve written about overcoming doubt for years, perhaps because it is such a normal part of being a leader, and a human.
I’m not alone in this. Leadership research confirms that 46% of leaders believe self-doubt has limited their potential, while 41% have considered leaving their roles because of it. When left unchecked, doubt leads to decreased productivity, burnout, and missed opportunities. Further research indicates that leadership doubt significantly impacts innovation (61%), vision creation (59%), and delegation (58%), with 32% of leaders attributing negative revenue growth to their leadership doubt.
But here’s the truth: doubt only thrives where clarity is absent. Confidence isn’t the absence of uncertainty—it’s the ability to move forward despite it. Leaders with higher self-efficacy—the belief in their ability to navigate challenges—are better equipped to handle doubt, take decisive action, and lead effectively under pressure.
Harvard Business Review put out a great article and list of books to check out on the topic, I haven’t read them all, yet, but I will be as time permits. Overcoming Self-Doubt: Our Favorite Reads
Overcoming Doubt Begins with Knowing Who You Are
The first and most dangerous place doubt takes root is in uncertainty about who you are. If you don’t know your values, your strengths, or what truly matters to you, doubt will fill in the blanks for you—and it never writes a flattering script.
Who are you when no one is watching? What principles guide your choices? What fires you up and makes you come alive? If you can’t answer those questions, you’re standing on shaky ground. Confidence isn’t about pretending you have it all figured out. It’s about knowing where you stand, even when the storm rolls in.
If you don’t take the time to define what you stand for, you’ll spend your life being pushed by the opinions and expectations of others. Check out this article from Psychology Today – How to Overcome Self-Doubt regarding self-doubt and identity.
Overcoming Doubt – Questions for Reflection
- What are the non-negotiable values that guide your decisions?
- What mission or purpose fuels your leadership?
- When pressure mounts, what truths do you stand on?
For those seeking to build self-awareness and embrace authenticity, The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown is a must-read. It explores how embracing imperfection strengthens confidence.
Doubt Shows Up When You’re on the Right Path
Doubt doesn’t show up when you’re playing it safe. It shows up when you’re pushing yourself, stepping into something that matters. What if I fail? What if I look foolish? What if I’m not good enough?
But what if those questions aren’t warning signs? What if they’re proof that you’re stepping into something meaningful? If you weren’t stretching beyond your comfort zone, fear wouldn’t bother showing up. I remember these thoughts going through my mind when I was racing Ironman Lake Tahoe in 2013. I was on the right path, and I knew I needed to finish the race.
Action Silences Doubt: Move Forward Even When Uncertain
Years ago, I faced a leadership decision that kept me up at night. I had all the data, but self-doubt convinced me I wasn’t ready. I stalled. I waited. And you know what happened? Nothing. The decision was eventually made for me, and I realized—inaction cost me more than any mistake would have. The fear of failing had blinded me to a simple truth: the only way to gain confidence is through action. Procrastination and delay only breed doubt and anxiety.
How to Shift from Hesitation to Action
- Perfection is not the goal—progress is.
- Fear doesn’t disappear—it shrinks when faced with action.
- Ask yourself: What’s one small step I can take toward my goal today?
A fantastic TED Talk on this topic is Inside the Mind of a Master Procrastinator by Tim Urban. It humorously explains why inaction fuels doubt and how taking action—however small—breaks the cycle.
The Mindset Shift: Doubt Is Resistance—Not a Stop Sign
Steven Pressfield calls this force Resistance—the invisible enemy that appears whenever you try to do something meaningful. It’s the reason you hesitate before sending that bold email, launching that project, or stepping into a leadership role. But here’s the thing: Resistance shows up when you’re doing work that matters. I reread “The War of Art” recently and it is amazing how invigorating it is to realize that resistance is normal. When you give into resistance, you are letting doubt win out.
How to Reframe Doubt as a Growth Signal
- Doubt means you’re pushing your limits. That’s a good thing.
- Turn doubt into a question. Instead of “What if I fail?” ask, “What can I learn from this?”
- Recognize that great leaders feel doubt—but they don’t let it make their decisions.
Overcoming Doubt – Questions for Reflection
What’s an area where doubt has been holding you back? What would happen if, instead of retreating, you stepped forward?
Lead with Conviction—Despite Doubt
Doubt is inevitable—but it doesn’t have to be in charge. The key to overcoming doubt is clarity and action—knowing who you are, standing firm in your beliefs, and moving forward despite uncertainty.
What’s the next step you’ve been avoiding because of doubt? Take it today. Don’t wait until the fear disappears, because it won’t. Move forward anyway.
For a deeper dive into this topic, tune into my latest podcast episode where we break down how to lead with confidence, even when doubt creeps in.
