Why I’m Writing About Leadership (Even When Imposter Syndrome Says I Shouldn’t)

I’ve thought about doing this for a long time, writing about leadership, nonprofit work, and the lessons I’ve learned along the way. But every time I sat down to start, a familiar voice crept in:

“Who are you to write about this? What do you have to say that hasn’t already been said? Is your experience really worth a reader’s time?”

It’s a voice I know well, the voice of imposter syndrome.

I first felt its grip early in my leadership journey, but it hit me in the face in the summer of 2024 when I attended a program at Harvard Business School. I walked into a room with over 170 CEOs from across the world, leaders with far more experience and wisdom than I had. It didn’t take long for that little voice in my head to whisper: “You don’t belong here.”

But then, something unexpected happened.

As we got to know each other, I realized that nearly everyone felt the same way. We all admitted to questioning whether we truly belonged. Yet, there we were, at HARVARD, after a grueling application process. If the admissions team and faculty believed we deserved a seat at the table, maybe we needed to start believing it, too.

Throughout the week, the professors reminded us constantly: “You do belong here.” And that message stuck with me.

Why Now?

After years of leading in the nonprofit world, I’ve realized that leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about growth, learning, and being willing to engage in the conversation.

The nonprofit space, in particular, is full of unique challenges, leading teams with limited resources, navigating board dynamics, balancing mission and sustainability. There’s no perfect playbook, but there are lessons worth sharing. Some I’ve learned through success, others through failure. And if those lessons can help someone else, then sharing them is worth it.

This blog is an experiment. A way to reflect, process, and connect with others who care about leading well. I don’t have all the answers, but I do have real experiences, ones that might resonate, challenge, or encourage others.

The Struggle with Imposter Syndrome

Even as I write this, part of me wonders if hitting “publish” is the right move. But I’ve come to realize that imposter syndrome isn’t a sign that we’re unqualified, it is often a sign that we care deeply about doing something well. The best leaders I know don’t feel like they’ve arrived; they’re constantly learning. And that’s exactly the kind of leadership I want to write about.

So here’s my commitment: I’m going to show up. I’ll share insights from my work, lessons from great leaders I admire, and the real challenges that come with leading in the nonprofit world. Maybe some posts will resonate, maybe some won’t. But hopefully someone will find this content helpful or encouraging…even if it simply lets them know they are not alone as they try to do this thing called “Leadership”.

If you’ve ever battled imposter syndrome or questioned whether your voice matters, I’d love to hear from you. Let’s figure this out together.

What’s Next?

In the coming weeks, I’ll be writing about leadership challenges in nonprofits, lessons learned from my own journey, and practical insights for those leading teams, managing boards, and making tough decisions. If that sounds interesting, I hope you’ll stick around.

And if you’ve ever struggled with feeling like you don’t have enough to share, I’d challenge you to take a step anyway. You might be surprised at who needs to hear your perspective.

Let’s get started.