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The Imposter’s Gift: Be the Observer, Not the Judge (Part 1 to the 4-Part "Imposter's Gift" Series)

compassion critical thinking emotional agility self-talk Aug 16, 2025

As if it’s not bad enough to feel judged by others, we can be our worst critics.

When self-criticism dominates our internal dialog, such as "I am not qualified" or "I don’t deserve/am not ready to be here". it’s our reality, and WE make it true.

What if instead of judging, we simply observed?

Try this shift:
👉 Replace “I am not qualified” with “I notice I’m feeling unqualified.”
👉 Then ask, “What’s my next best step?”

This small but powerful change from "I am..." to "I notice…" builds self-compassion, emotional agency, and momentum. It’s not about fixing yourself—it’s about meeting yourself with honesty and grace.

What’s your go-to self-talk when imposter syndrome creeps in? Have you tried reframing it with "I notice" instead of "I am"? Would love to hear how it works for you!

🎥 Watch the Part 1 video and share your perspective. This is a 4-part series, so be on the lookout for additional posts in the week to come.

Cheering you on, always!
--Sheryl

Podcast Episode #74: "Innovation During Disruptive Times" - an Interview with Debbie Gibb

critical thinking innovation your story Feb 17, 2021

Innovation During Disruptive Times

In case you missed my LIVE interview with the extraordinary Debbie Gibb (Managing Director of N Ventures), here are a few of the wisdom gems she shared:

Build a core team around you of people who have skills that complement yours
It is critical create the environment where people can take risks and fail, creating an environment of “we can do it” mentality, especially if things aren’t going well
Lead by rolling out on what's happening in your industry real time and learn from that and make adjustments real time
Bring back the holistic view of critical thinking and the different perspectives
Own your story, where you are in your life and tell your story. Really define your own version of success as opposed to somebody elses

To be notified for future interviews be sure to connect with me here on LinkedIn AND to learn more about how to build the mindset and influence for real change, join our community at www.SherylKline.com.

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