I hope your Q4, the last quarter of 2026, is off to a great start. There’s a lot happening at Talk About Talk! Starting with the Let Me Introduce Myself book:
- After two rounds with the main editor, the final manuscript is with the copy editor now – the nit-picky one. (Yes, I’m nervous!)
- I’m also launching a Substack over the next few weeks dedicated to the book. I’ll be sharing about the experience of writing my first book, sneak peeks and insights from the book, and more. (Don’t worry, this communication coaching newsletter isn’t going anywhere!) I’ll share the new Substack with you once it’s live.
And THANK YOU for voting on the book cover designs! Two weeks ago I asked you to reply with your vote on potential book covers. I was overwhelmed with your generous suggestions and words of encouragement.
Based on the responses I received, versions A and B ended up tied, and version C is now off the table. We’re still working on it and I’m excited to share the design with you soon. I really appreciate your votes and suggestions. Thank you very much!
Now, let’s talk about something else that’s been on my mind a lot lately:
Imposter Syndrome
Many of the ambitious, impressive leaders I coach struggle with imposter syndrome. I wonder if there’s an Imposter Syndrome Epidemic? Maybe you can relate?
Building on my recent conversation with Dr. Cindra Kamphoff, author of The Confidence Habit (ep.222), I decided to double down on this topic of imposter syndrome.
Here are 3 things to talk about this week:
- Imposter syndrome is something to CELEBRATE!
- How to use your BODY to boost your confidence
- How to use SELF-TALK to boost your confidence
1️⃣ Imposter syndrome is something to CELEBRATE!
Do you ever experience “imposter syndrome“? If yes, I have one word for you:
CONGRATULATIONS
Let me back up. A little history – this is important.
In 1978, two social psychologists, Professors Pauline Rose Clance and Suzanne Imes, conducted research to understand what distinguishes 
high achieving women. Their results were published in a paper called, “The Imposter Phenomenon in High Achieving Women.”
They called it a phenomenon, not a syndrome. And they studied high-achieving women. So if you feel like an imposter, you’re in very good company.
Here’s my take: The folks who are lying on the couch twiddling their thumbs, they are definitely not experiencing imposter syndrome are they?
A few years ago, I coached an SVP at one of the big banks. She had just been promoted into a completely different department. When we started our work together she said, “Ever since I was promoted, my confidence has been in the toilet. I need help improving my confidence.”
My diagnosis? Imposter syndrome. She was ambitious.She was in unfamiliar territory. She was growing. That’s a good thing. Celebrate it! (Also: Focus on your unique strengths that led to your promotion!)
So, have YOU experienced imposter syndrome lately? If yes, I have one word for you: congratulations.
2️⃣ How to use your BODY to boost your confidence
Sometimes, the fastest way to overcome that nervous, anxious feeling is to change what you’re doing physically.
Here are three tactics I use when I need a confidence boost, including in high stakes contexts, like before a big keynote speech.
BREATHE. Take a deep breath. (I know you’ve heard this before. “Nervous? Just breathe deeply!”). But that’s just half of it. You can amplify the impact of deep breathing by slowly elongating your exhale. When you elongate your exhale, your brain thinks, “Oh! I’m not gasping for air. Everything must be ok.” Then, it is ok. When I’m preparing to step onstage, I use this simple technique to help myself settle.
PLANT YOUR FEET. Feeling anxious and awkward? Think of your feet. Plant them firmly. This helps me feel grounded and steady, and it stops me from swaying or shifting while I talk. Once I’m feeling grounded and confident, then I can start walking around the stage.
TAKE UP SPACE. Confident people take up space. Straighten your posture, open your shoulders, and let your arms and hands move naturally, instead of making yourself small. When I’m standing in front of a room, I remind myself to stand tall and occupy the space I’m in.
You don’t have to wait until you feel confident to act confidently. Sometimes, the physical action comes first.
3️⃣ How to use SELF-TALK to boost your confidence
Personally, when I’m anxious and I feel the butterflies, the first thing I tell myself is that imposter syndrome is a good thing. (See 1️⃣ above.)
Then I give myself a pep talk, in the second person.
I remember several years ago, sitting quietly in my office a few minutes before I turned on my computer to deliver a workshop for the biggest virtual audience I’d ever coached. Back then, I used to get nervous about the Q&A at the end, and the thought of managing a Q&A with that huge audience was overwhelming. My heart was pounding.
I took a slow breath and consciously thought to myself, “Andrea, you’re prepared. You know your stuff. You got this.” And then I logged in and and had the time of my life. (Really!)
Research on self-talk demonstrates that talking to yourself in second person is more effective than first person.
Apparently our brains believe other people more than we believe ourselves. Now that you know this, you can try it yourself. Instead of “I’m prepared, I know my stuff,” try saying your name and “you”, as in, “Andrea, you’re prepared, you got this!” Give yourself a pep-talk in second person.
Thoughts on Arrogance
Many of the leaders I coach who struggle with imposter syndrome also tell me that they are concerned they might sound arrogant. To help them with this concern, I created a “Confidence Continuum.“
This Confidence Continuum shows up in my book. You can hear me talk about it in the most recent Talk About Talk podcast episode, “The Imposter Syndrome Epidemic.” You’ll also hear my specific coaching suggestions for how you can maintain this ideal equilibrium level of confidence.
You can listen on Spotify, Apple, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.
I hope you have a great week.
“TALK” soon,
