Resilience: The Key to Disrupting Imposter Syndrome
“Imposter syndrome whispers, you’re not enough But resilience roars, you were board for this.” (DrSanja)
Like so many individuals I meet—especially women in leadership—you’ve probably been there: standing on the edge of an opportunity, feeling the weight of doubt creeping in, and hearing that familiar voice whisper:
• Who do you think you are to do this?
• They’re going to find out you’re not good enough.
• You don’t have what it takes to succeed at this level.
And we’re not imagining this struggle. A 2021 report from LinkedIn and LeanIn.org found that 60% of women in leadership feel like they don’t deserve their success—compared to only 38% of men. The numbers get even more complex for women of color, who face what’s often referred to as “double jeopardy”—the intersection of gender and racial bias. These overlapping pressures can make imposter syndrome feel even more intense, isolating, and persistent.
As a woman in nonprofit leadership, an entrepreneur, and an ordained minister, I know this story intimately. There’s an added layer for many of us in ministry—we experience what I call Spiritualized Imposter Syndrome. It often disguises itself as false humility. We’re praised for being “servants,” but rarely supported or encouraged to be seen as leaders—especially in pastoral spaces. This tension between boldness and humility creates an inner conflict: we wonder if stepping up means we’re being prideful, or if shrinking back means we’re being “godly.”
But here’s the truth: imposter syndrome is a silent thief. It robs us of our joy, our voice, and the freedom to walk confidently in our calling. Whether you’re stepping into your first leadership role, running your own business or nonprofit, preaching in the pulpit, or building something that hasn’t existed before—imposter syndrome shows up. It convinces us we don’t belong, even when God, qualifications, and experience say otherwise.
The good news? Resilience can shift the narrative. It doesn't make the doubt disappear completely, but it allows us to keep going anyway. It’s not about perfection—it’s about perseverance. Resilience gives us the mindset to rise after failure, to learn from it, and to move forward with renewed grace and grit. It allows us to face rejection, silence, and fear—and still show up. It reminds us that vulnerability is not weakness but wisdom in motion.
So how does resilience practically help? It reframes failure. It teaches us that falling short doesn’t disqualify us—it refines us. Failure isn’t final; it’s feedback. Resilient women pick themselves back up, take the lesson, and walk forward with prayer, strength, and strategy. It also cultivates self-compassion. You will make mistakes, and that’s okay. The goal isn’t to be flawless but to be faithful. Give yourself the grace you so freely extend to others.
Resilience builds confidence through action. Every time you show up—even with shaky hands or a nervous heart—you strengthen your belief in yourself. You disrupt the narrative that says you’re not enough. You take up the space that was already yours to occupy. And don’t forget to celebrate your wins. Imposter syndrome thrives in silence, but joy grows when you pause to say, “Look at what God helped me do.”
Resilient women don’t let fear call the shots. They feel it, face it, and act anyway. Every brave step, every quiet ‘yes,’ every moment of courage chips away at the power imposter syndrome that tries to hold.
Imposter syndrome might never fully go away, but with resilience, it loses its grip. Every time you push past doubt, embrace failure, and act despite fear, you disrupt the lie that says you're not enough.
Remember, resilience isn’t about being perfect—it’s about persevering. And you, my sister, were born to rise.
