Am I ready to Lead?

When I first stepped into a leadership role, I expected it to feel empowering, exciting, and validating. After all, I’d worked relentlessly to get there. But it didn't feel like a promotion—it felt like starting all over again, this time without the clarity or the confidence I'd relied on as a top-performing individual contributor.

Leadership isn’t just a new set of responsibilities—it’s an identity shift. It brings out insecurities you didn't even know you had. You find yourself wrestling with questions like: "Am I really good enough?" "What if I fail my team?" and "Do I even deserve this role?"

Here's the hard truth: you might never feel completely ready. Many talented people hesitate because they've internalized a myth: that readiness is a feeling. In reality, readiness is a decision.

If you’re feeling this way, I promise you’re not alone. Over my years of coaching product leaders, I've found that those who doubt themselves are often exactly the ones ready to lead.

Let me share why.

How to Know You're Ready to Lead

1. You’re Already Mentoring and Coaching

When you start naturally coaching your peers—answering their questions, providing clarity, and lifting them up—that’s a powerful sign. Even if your title hasn't caught up yet, you've already begun the transformation. Leadership starts well before it becomes official.

2. You Think Strategically About Your Entire Org, Not Just Your Tasks

If you're feeling frustrated by problems outside your immediate scope, it means you're starting to think like a leader. True leaders instinctively look at the broader picture, asking: How can we make our entire organization stronger?

3. You're More Interested in "Why" than "What"

Great leaders relentlessly question "why." They seek deeper purpose behind every task. If you're consistently challenging decisions and strategies—not from negativity, but from curiosity—you're already embracing a leader’s mindset.

4. You're Comfortable With Ambiguity (Even if It Scares You)

Leaders thrive in ambiguity—not because they have all the answers, but because they're comfortable admitting when they don’t. If ambiguity excites and terrifies you simultaneously, that’s exactly the emotional tension leaders navigate daily.

5. You’re Self-Aware Enough to Know Your Weaknesses

Great leaders deeply understand their blind spots. They invite feedback openly and frequently. Feeling vulnerable about your weaknesses isn’t a drawback—it’s a sign of emotional maturity crucial for leadership.

The Emotional Shift Nobody Talks About

Transitioning into leadership isn’t just practical—it’s emotional. It means moving away from the tangible security of tasks you've mastered, into the intangible realm of influence, trust, and empowerment. It requires learning how to hold emotional space for others, navigating conflict, and accepting responsibility beyond your individual contributions. As a leader, you have the opportunity—and responsibility—to create environments where your team can thrive emotionally and professionally.

Making Peace with the Imposter

Nearly every leader I've coached battles imposter syndrome. Here’s the key: impostor syndrome isn’t a flaw—it’s a natural part of growth. The people who never question their competence rarely improve. Leaders who acknowledge self-doubt and use it to drive reflection and growth are infinitely more effective.

Your Leadership Journey Begins with a Choice

No one taps you on the shoulder and magically bestows readiness. Leadership starts with a decision—a commitment to stepping into uncertainty, growth, and responsibility.

If you’re waiting to feel 100% ready, you might be waiting forever. Instead, trust yourself enough to step forward anyway. Recognize the emotional turmoil you’re feeling isn't evidence that you’re unprepared. It’s evidence you're growing.

Remember, the most effective leaders don’t avoid doubt—they face it head-on. They use discomfort as a compass, pointing toward opportunities for transformation and growth.

If you're asking yourself, "Am I ready?" that's your sign.

You're already on the path.

Need help getting there? Reach out.

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