Slay your impostor: How CEOs can defeat self-doubt

Tampa marketing and media relations firm founder Holly Clifford Corral, who runs a company named Press, had, I think, an all-time stellar answer to a question on the Business Observer’s leadership podcast, From the Corner Office. This was back in July 2023, episode 6. (We recently dropped episode No. 90.)

Running her own high-intensity business, with sometimes fickle clients and many competitive forces, I asked Clifford Coral how she handled impostor syndrome. That’s defined, generally, as people, many times leaders, who doubt their skills, talents and abilities, especially when compared to how they perceive others. 

Clifford Corral’s answer was disarming and delightful. She said: “Can I be honest with you? I had to look that up. I get what it means obviously…but, and I know you are going to think this is the most ridiculous thing, but I don’t think like that. When I stop and think ‘man (my husband) Kit and I have had this business for 16 years, and were still successful, still having fun, that’s definitely pretty cool. But I never doubt myself. Honestly I don’t. Maybe that’s the sports (background) in me, … but failure doesn’t cross my mind. Ever.”