What if the biggest thing holding back your business isn’t strategy, funding or skills — but a silent inner belief that you’re not enough? On this episode of the Futureproof Business Podcast, host Daniel Rosenstein sits down with Dr. Tara Halliday to unpack the real root of imposter syndrome and how leaders can eliminate it.
Tara holds a PhD in engineering and is now a leadership transformation expert. She is the author of Outsmart Imposter Syndrome and Unmasking: The Coach’s Guide to Imposter Syndrome, and the creator of Inner Success, an eight-step system for eliminating imposter syndrome and elevating executive performance.
What imposter syndrome really is
Imposter syndrome is feeling like a fraud when you’re not. Tara explains why it’s so common among achievers — and why it is different from low self-esteem. That difference is exactly why top performers can still struggle with it at the very top.
Stress makes us less capable
Stress states can lower measured intelligence and creativity. When you’re in fight, flight or freeze, you literally have less access to your best thinking. Tara shares how to reverse those states quickly.
The hidden-behavior loop
Imposter syndrome rarely looks like self-doubt from the outside. It shows up as:
- Perfectionism
- Over-preparing
- Procrastination
- Overworking
- Turning down opportunities
These behaviors feel like diligence, but they quietly cap performance and drain energy.
Bad advice to ignore
“Just work harder” is one of the myths Tara challenges. More effort feeds the loop rather than breaking it.
Practical tools for leaders
Tara shares ways to calm your system in the moment, speak up with confidence, lead difficult personalities and stop overworking. Her Inner Success method goes beyond removing imposter syndrome to upgrade performance, presence and resilience.
Who should listen
High achievers, executives, founders and coaches who look successful on paper but feel like they’re one mistake away from being “found out.”
Watch or listen to the full episode
Catch the complete conversation on YouTube or listen on Spotify. Want more conversations like this? Browse all Futureproof Business Podcast episodes and join the newsletter to get new episodes and insights in your inbox.