What's really going on with your top performers?
Your best people might look like they are doing their best work.
And they probably are.
But here is the truth you cannot see: many are quietly paying a price in peace, pride, and productivity because of impostor syndrome. They are not underperforming. They are under-believing.
I address this in my recently released book “Get Your Best People to Give Their Best Effort.”
If you lead a team of high achievers, be aware of the “iceberg effect.” Something is brewing under the surface that you may not see.
They are leading high-stakes projects while doubting themselves.
They are downplaying praise during performance reviews.
They are avoiding networking events because everyone else “seems more impressive.”
What problems does this cause for you and your organization?
* Retention issues
* Lower engagement
* Missed promotions
* Stifled innovation
* Higher health care costs
When impostor syndrome is recognized and addressed, everything changes.
Your people will:
* Take risks without fear of being “exposed”
* Define success on their own terms
* Share their expertise without apology
* Stop settling for “good enough”
This is not just an individual win. It is a corporate performance boost.
If impostor syndrome disappeared from your workplace tomorrow, what would be the first thing you would notice?