"I only got promoted because someone left."

"I only got promoted because someone left."

This article addresses self-doubt, identity, and belonging in leadership careers — challenges that intensify as AI reshapes roles and expectations. These themes are central to our coaching work at The Change Republic.

Focus: AI leadership | Executive Coaching | What AI Can’t Hear

That's how Agnieszka (𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘥) celebrated two years of crushing every target.

Her team retention: 95%. 

Her project delivery: flawless. 

Senior leadership's words: "exceptional".

Her response during a coaching session? "I'm jsut filling an empty seat."

Here's what actually happened:

Agnieszka didn't just meet expectations. She rebuilt a failing team. Saved three at-risk accounts. Mentored a bunch of people into promotions.

But when I said congratulations, she gave me her improvement list: 

↳ "Would've gotten it sooner if..."

↳ "Should've spoken up more" 

↳ "Could've done it faster" 

The woman had receipts for her success and chose to shred them.

One question changed everything:

"What would you tell your best friend who just got this promotion?"

Long pause.

"That they absolutely earned it."

Longer pause.

"Oh."

That "oh" was the sound of a lie breaking.

The lie that celebrating means bragging. 

That excellence requires eternal dissatisfaction. 

That "good enough" is the enemy when you're already great.

Your imposter syndrome isn't humility. It's arrogance disguised as insecurity.

Because it says your achievements don't count unless they're perfect.

When did you last celebrate without adding "but"?

#leadership #impostersyndrome #success

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