Have you ever walked into a room full of successful, polished people and immediately thought, “I don’t belong here”?
They speak with intelligence and grace. They wear the right clothes, sit with perfect posture, and seem to float effortlessly through conversations. Their resumes are impressive, their education solid, their confidence seemingly unshakeable. And if you're anything like me, you’ve had this sinking thought:
If they were leading my credit union, I bet they’d be more prepared. More put together. I bet they’d have all the answers I still don’t.
Maybe for you, it’s not clothes or posture— maybe it’s the pressure to appear confident when you feel unsure. Maybe it’s seeing leaders who seem to have the perfect leadership tone, who never flinch, never raise their voices, and always know how to respond with cool composure. Maybe you wonder if you’re supposed to show less emotion. Or more control. Maybe you’ve told yourself, they wouldn’t get rattled the way I do.
What I’m describing is imposter syndrome. And I must confess: I experience it more than I’d like to admit.
Here’s the truth: I’m authentic—sometimes to a fault. I can look a little disheveled. My Southern accent shows up when I get excited (the real one). I cry when I’m proud. I fumble my words when I care too deeply. I don’t have all the answers. I’m far from perfect, and yet . . . I’ve been called to lead.
And whether you're a woman whose eyeliner runs after a long day, or a man who questions if you're allowed to show vulnerability in a leadership role—these feelings are real, and they are shared.
There are days I wonder if someone else could do this job better. But then, reality—and maybe age—kicks in, and I remember:
No one knows, loves, and believes in my team, my credit union, or the community we serve more than I do.
I believe if we're honest, we've all felt this way. And I’m here to encourage you: You are not alone.
You were chosen for such a time as this. Not because you’re perfect, but because you’re called. Your leadership, with all its beautiful imperfections, is exactly what’s needed right now. You bring something to the table no one else can—your heart, your grit, your perspective, and your unique brand of courage.
“Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be and embracing who we are.” — Brené Brown
So if you're the man who leads quietly and wonders if you should speak louder, or the woman who leads boldly and wonders if she should speak softer, or anyone in between who questions if you’re enough—hear this:
You are enough.
The storms will come, but you have what it takes. You are respected—more than you probably realize. And at the end of the day, your tie doesn’t have to be perfectly knotted, and your hair doesn’t have to stay in place—because your leadership isn’t measured by how polished you look but by how passionately you care.
You are exactly where you’re supposed to be.
So, stand tall in your purpose. Lead with authenticity. And when that little voice whispers, “You’re not qualified to lead”—whisper back, “Watch me.”
You’re doing better than you think.
