We have great news about imposter syndrome
Plus: š¤ Dolly Parton š¤© Sophie Turner š©āāļø Groundbreaking health research
Imposter syndrome has a way of creeping in quietly, especially at work. Maybe itās over-preparing for meetings youāre more than qualified to lead, brushing off praise with āit was just luckā, or feeling like you have to prove yourself all over again every time you step into a new role. If any of this sounds familiar, youāre far from alone. Research shows the majority of women in leadership experience it at some point - even when thereās clear evidence theyāre doing well.
The good news is, imposter syndrome isnāt a personal flaw or a lack of confidence. Business speaker and author Alison Edgar, breaks down why discomfort often shows up right when youāre growing and what really happens when you challenge those nagging thoughts. The uneasy feeling youāve been trying to get rid of? It might actually be telling you something importantā¦
In this issue of Take The Lead, we also share some timeless advice from Dolly Parton on failure and mindset, plus a refreshingly honest take from Sophie Turner. The actor - best known for Game of Thrones, X-Men and Amazon Primeās Steal - opens up about what she really thought of her X-Men co-star Jessica Chastain when they first met.
Enjoy, share it with your friends, and please let us know what you think.
The Female Lead Team
Weāre talking aboutā¦
š„ A major report by the World Economic Forum reveals a funding gap in womenās health - Womenās health receives just 6% of private healthcare investment, despite women making up nearly half of the global population. The report calls for greater focus and funding in under-served areas like heart disease, menopause and osteoporosis, while pointing to growing momentum that could drive better health outcomes for women across their lives.
š”ļø Menopause, finally out in the open - The Female Lead has launched a new menopause survey, inviting anyone experiencing peri- or postmenopause to share their real-life experiences. With 13 million people in the UK affected and still too little research or support, the findings aim to push for better understanding, workplace change and real progress ā plus, participants could win a Ā£100 gift voucher.
The online survey closes 30 January 2026 and the findings will be published later in 2026. All responses are anonymous and fully protectedā¦
ā¶ļø Take The Female Leadās new Menopause Journey Survey now.
Inspire meā¦
āIf I fail itās no big deal. If something donāt work out Iām not afraid of failure. Iām proud of every year Iāve livedā¦ somebody once said, āAge is mind over matter - if you donāt mind then it donāt matterā. And I donāt mind.ā - Dolly Parton who just turned 80 years old
By Alison Edgar, author and business speaker
Imposter syndrome probably isnāt a new concept for you. In fact, according to a global study by the American Psychological Association, 75% of women in leadership positions have experienced imposter syndrome at some point in their careers.
If youāre unfamiliar with the term, the official definition is āthe persistent feeling of being a fraud, doubting your accomplishments and fearing being exposed as incompetent, despite clear evidence of successā.
Read more in the full article here
Final thoughtā¦
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it might be a controversial take, having once imposed the label on myself and completed research on the origination of IS, i've reframed this to impostor means to deceive or defraud and unless a person has deliberately done that, she's not an impostor ... it may confidence, self doubt or requiring clarity etc. She 100% deserves to be in the room.
The dreaded IS has gotten worse as Iāve got older, despite clearly gaining more experience š