The Impostor Syndrome Files
Do you ever feel like a fraud? Struggle with chronic self-doubt? Wonder if you really deserve your role?
You’re not alone. As a leadership coach who’s battled impostor syndrome myself, I created this podcast to provide a place where professionals can share their stories, shed the silent shame and feel seen.
Each episode features honest conversations with professionals from all walks of life who’ve faced impostor syndrome and found ways to move through it. We’ll also hear from experts who share practical strategies for managing ourselves and shaping environments that reduce the threat of impostor syndrome.
Let’s erase the stigma. Let’s stop pretending we’re the only ones. And let’s come together to share, support and rise above the fear that keeps us playing small.
The Impostor Syndrome Files
Being More Intentional About Your Career
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In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about why so many professionals drift through their careers instead of intentionally shaping what's next. My guest this week is Dr. Cynthia Bentzen-Mercer, executive coach, leadership advisor and co-author of Now Near Next.
Cynthia shares her own unexpected career transition after losing a senior executive role and explains how the work she had already done to prepare for her next chapter gave her the confidence to pursue entrepreneurship instead of returning to corporate America. We explore why so many high-achieving professionals become so focused on proving themselves in their current roles that they never create space to think about where they want to go next.
In our conversation, we discuss the importance of identifying your natural talents instead of focusing exclusively on building new skills. Cynthia introduces the ACES framework to help people recognize the strengths that come most naturally to them and explains why these often become the foundation for more meaningful and sustainable career growth.
We also talk about expanding your current role instead of waiting for someone else to create opportunities for you. Cynthia shares practical strategies for identifying business problems you can solve, making the case for broader responsibilities and reframing self-promotion as an act of service rather than self-interest.
Finally, we explore the role fear plays in career decisions and why learning to recognize your body's early warning signals can help you interrupt unhelpful self-talk before it takes over. Cynthia explains how greater awareness, combined with intentional practice, can help us respond more confidently to uncertainty throughout our careers.
About My Guest
Dr. Cynthia Bentzen-Mercer is leading a powerful conversation around the hidden problem of how high-performing individuals and organizations gradually lose alignment, not because they fail, but because they stop examining where they’re headed.
Dr. Cynthia is a human capital strategist, executive coach, and bestselling author who brings over 30 years of experience working with leaders at the highest levels of business. Her work, Stop Drifting: The Discipline of Direction, offers a clear, practical way to interrupt autopilot, make better decisions, and move forward with intention.
She’s also the creator of the 7-Minute Pivot™, a simple daily practice designed to help you shift from thinking to action—one decision at a time.
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Connect with Cynthia:
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/drcynthiabentzenmercer
Website: www.dr-cynthia.com
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Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:
Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:
https://www.kimmeninger.com/challenge
Learn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:
https://www.kimmeninger.com/leadinghumansgroup
Join the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6
Join the Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumans
Schedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challenges: https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-session
Connect on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/
Website:
https://www.kimmeninger.com