How to lead with confidence when doubt creeps in
- mstopforth
- Jun 14
- 3 min read
Practical strategies grounded in coaching psychology and leadership science
Doubt is a normal part of leadership, but left unchecked it can erode confidence, and interfere with decision-making, innovation and effective communication.
At The Performance Equation, we work with leaders navigating leadership challenges. Doubt is part of the normal human condition, and so let's not let it play a bigger part in our leadership than it needs to!
It isn't a sign of incompetence, and it doesn't mean that you're an 'imposter'. In fact, it’s often a sign that you’re engaging with something important that requires thinking about. The key is learning how to respond to it with clarity and purpose.
What is self-doubt in leadership?
Self-doubt is the internal questioning of one’s own judgement, capacity, or right to lead.
Psychologically, it’s often results in:
Cognitive distortions - thinking shortcuts to help us to navigate shortcuts - that are not always accurate.
Impostor syndrome - a belief that success is undeserved and the subsequent fear of exposure.
Threat-based processing - rooted in evolutionary survival, it's the way we respond if we feel vulnerable or threatend.
Self-discrepancy - our emotions and self esteem are impacted by the gaps between who we believe we are, who we would like to be, and who we think we should be .
Rather than being a flaw, self-doubt can signal:
Competing priorities or that something matters deeply
A strong sense of responsibility or moral concern
A healthy awareness of complexity or relational impact
All good things for a leader to be concerned about!
6 practical ways to manage leadership doubt
Backed by psychological science
1. Anchor in purpose and values - From Self-determination theory
Acting and responding in line with your values enhances self-confidence and supports a stable sense of self and competence.
💡 Try: Reconnect with your leadership “why.” What matters most, even in uncertainty?
2. Build psychological flexibility - From Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Psychological flexibility is the ability to stay present and act in alignment with your values, even under pressure.
💡 Try: Notice when you're caught in “what ifs,” and instead ask: “What action would reflect my values right now?”
3. Recognise and celebrate past success - From Negativity Bias
We’re wired to focus more on what's going wrong than what's going well. That can skew the story you tell yourself about yourself.
💡 Try: Keep a “leadership wins” log - short notes or on decisions or actions you're proud of - and revisit them in moments of doubt. Get creative with images or voice notes if you prefer!
4. Catch unhelpful thinking early - From cognitive behavioural theory (CBT)
Notice unhelpful thinking patterns - and build the habit of challenging or reframing them
💡 Try: Ask yourself, “Is this thought based on fact or fear?” or “What would I say to a colleague thinking this way?”
5. Don’t isolate; talk it through - From the stress buffering model of social support
Social support is one of the most protective factors in stress and decision-making. Yet leaders often feel they must figure it out alone.
💡 Try: Build regular reflective space with a coach, mentor, or trusted peer. Verbalising doubt reduces its hold.
6. Name it, then reframe it - From emotion labelling research
Labelling or naming your emotions reduces amygdala activity (senses threat) and increases the ability to engage in logical thought and reasoning.
💡 Try: Instead of pushing doubt away, say “I’m feeling uncertain because this matters.” Then ask, “What’s one step forward from here?”
When doubt affects your team
Doubt isn’t just individual — it can show up at team level too.
Watch for signs like:
Hesitation or delays in decision-making
Unclear priorities and shifting direction
Blame, defensiveness, or avoidance of honest conversations
These are signals that your team may be stuck in doubt and that leadership clarity, communication, and psychological safety need attention.
How coaching helps
At The Performance Equation, we help senior leaders and leadership teams navigate the human challenges that shape organisational success.
Our coaching approach is psychologically grounded, evidence-informed, and focused on practical application. We help you:
Make sense of what’s getting in the way
Strengthen your decision-making and leadership presence
Lead with clarity, care, and credibility — even when things are tough
Together, we explore the dynamics beneath the surface, so you can lead not just with capability, but with confidence, purpose, and impact.
Ready to move past doubt and lead with greater clarity?
Explore how coaching can support confident, clear leadership in complex environments.
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