Imposter syndrome thrives in isolation

but loses power when spoken.

Why Successful Leaders Still Feel Like Frauds

By Julia LeFevre

What if your biggest leadership struggle was also your most shared one?

In this week’s Wired to Lead episode, I sat down with Bridgette Ferraro, the CEO of iCopy—an extraordinary woman leading in the tech space.

Bridgette has scaled fast. She’s smart, resilient, grounded.

And yet?

She still battles the voice in her head that says:
“Am I crazy?”
“Can I really figure this out?”
“What will they think of me?”

When I asked her how she responds to those internal triggers, she didn’t offer a polished strategy.
She told the truth:

“I have some really awesome people in my corner—and I’m vulnerable, which is really hard for me.”

This is what I love most about her story:
Bridgette isn’t powering through imposter syndrome. She’s inviting people in.

Here’s the thing: Imposter syndrome needs silence and secrecy to survive.
But the moment you name it in the presence of people you trust, it loses its grip.

That’s why connection is the first core capacity in the NeuroFrame™ Assessment.

Not just connection with others—though that’s critical.
But connection with yourself.

• With your emotions.

• With your voice.

• With the parts of you that wonder if you’re the only one who doesn’t feel “ready” for the role you’re in.

TRY THIS
If you’ve been feeling the weight of imposter thoughts lately, here are two simple ways to shift:

1. Name the voice.
   Is it fear? Is it performance pressure? Is it childhood conditioning?
   Even just saying it aloud: “This is fear talking” begins to unhook you from it.

2. Share it with someone safe.
   Not on stage. Not with your team. But with someone who knows you beyond your title.
   Ask: “Can I tell you what I’m wrestling with, even if it sounds ridiculous?”

Spoiler: it won’t sound ridiculous.

It will sound brave.
It will sound familiar.
It will sound like connection.

🎧 Listen to the full episode with Bridgette Ferraro [HERE].
It’s a powerful reminder that even the most accomplished leaders need space to be real.

And if you don’t have that kind of space right now—maybe it’s time to build it.

I’d love to help you get started.

Warmly,

Julia