INSIGHTS (on leadership/self-leadership)
Who better to talk about imposter syndrome than the biggest movie star in the world?
Tom Cruise shared advice on overcoming imposter syndrome with co-star Hayley Atwell, who plays Grace in the final Mission Impossible films.
Atwell remarked that the anxiety that manifests itself as imposter syndrome is about retreating into yourself, overthinking things, wondering if you look awkward, or are unqualified to be there, etc. The advice Cruise offered her is to do the opposite, consistent with what I’ve shared before in this publication, and in my book, The Mentally Strong Leader (which just received the 2025 International Book Award in the gigantic self-help category!)
As Cruise told Atwell (edited for brevity):
“Try to look around the room and ask, ‘Where is it? Where is the thing I’ve attached my insecurity to? Is it that person over there that reminds me of a school bully? That person over there that didn’t give me a job once? That person over there that was mean to me once? Examine the source of anxiety, and name it. As soon as you can label it, the general sense of free-floating anxiety goes away, and then you actually have the opportunity to do something about it.”
In other words, once you name what’s causing you to feel like an imposter, it begins to lose its hold over you. It becomes something concrete you can specifically address, versus being paralyzed by a general gestalt of anxiety.
It might sound excruciatingly hard, but I promise you, it’s a mission possible, should you choose to accept it. This message will destruct in…
IMPERFECTIONS (a mistake many make)
The New York Times recently dug into a doctoral dissertation by none other than the world’s newest head of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo. They were seeking to understand more about how the Pope will lead in a role of such massive importance. The essence of his core leadership belief boils down to these quotes from the dissertation (edited for brevity):
• “There is no room in the concept of authority for one who is self-seeking and in search of power over others.”
• “The exercise of authority requires a total dedication to the good of the community.”
• “The virtue of humility is indispensable for any superior.”
• “Be examples to the flock, not lording it over those assigned to you.”
We shouldn’t be too surprised that a man in this specific position values humility above all else. And yet, we’re amazed in the work world when we see someone truly showing up as humble. In case you think you could use a humility tune-up, keep in mind these three easy ways to exhibit it every day:
1. Don’t be afraid to acknowledge your limitations/mistakes, ask for help/feedback.
2. Actively listen. (I wrote about the “how to’s” here, and in The Mentally Strong Leader.)
3. Take the time to show your appreciation, genuinely.
IMPLEMENTATION (one research-backed strategy, tip, or tool)
Cheryl Strauss Einhorn, CEO of a decision-sciences company, recently wrote in Harvard Business Review about a topic that doesn’t get discussed enough – how leaders can ask better questions in times of uncertainty. I liked the four questions she outlined to help you do just that:
1. What decision today will still make sense a year from now?
This question helps you press past short-term pressures to focus on decisions that align with your values and long-term goals; to “move from reactive to resilient.”
2. If this decision became a case study in leadership, what would it teach?
This question helps you evaluate the message your decision sends, the example you’re setting, what it says about the culture.
3. What if this isn’t the storm—what if it’s the climate?
This encourages you to stop waiting for adversity to pass. If volatility and disruption are the new normal, you can focus on what needs to change permanently so you can endure and thrive, not just survive.
4. What’s the cost of waiting?
Delaying may feel safe, but inaction carries hidden risks. This question forces you to discern what’s at stake by not moving now.
Leave a Reply