Overcoming Self-Doubt in the Workplace: How to Be “Ready Enough” as a Leader
Episode 41
Waiting until you feel fully ready—only to stay stuck?
In Episode 41 of The People Success Circle, I talk with Lauren Beane about overcoming self-doubt in the workplace and why perfectionism often holds leaders back from taking action. This conversation is for HR leaders and business owners who want to build confidence, take smart risks, and move forward even when things feel uncertain.
We explore how mindset, emotional intelligence, and small shifts can help you step into leadership with clarity. If you’re ready to stop overthinking and start doing, listen in or keep reading for practical takeaways you can apply right away.
In this episode of The People Success Circle, I explore how leaders can overcome self-doubt, take confident action, and build the mindset needed to move forward—even before they feel fully ready.
I explore what overcoming self-doubt in the workplace really looks like and how it quietly holds back growth, opportunities, and career advancement.
I talk about how emotional intelligence in the workplace helps you recognize hesitation patterns and take more intentional, confident action.
I unpack the impact of imposter syndrome at work, especially for early-career professionals and women in leadership navigating high-pressure environments.
I share practical ways to start overcoming perfectionism and stop waiting until everything feels “just right” before taking action.
I walk through how taking small, calculated risks builds leadership confidence and creates more opportunities for growth and visibility.
I discuss how these challenges uniquely show up for women in leadership, and why shifting your mindset can change the trajectory of your career.
🎧 Tune in or keep reading to walk away with practical insights you can apply immediately—for yourself or the people you lead.
🔗 Helpful Links
🌐 Mindy’s website for business consulting: https://www.limerockcareerco.com
🎧 Listen to the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts
Episode 41: Watch or Listen
Key Takeaways From Episode 41
Waiting for “Ready” Keeps You Stuck
I see this all the time—people waiting until they feel fully ready before taking action. The reality is, that moment rarely comes. If you’re constantly waiting for certainty, you’re delaying growth, opportunities, and momentum.
Instead, I encourage you to shift your mindset: progress happens when you take action before you feel 100% prepared. Being “ready enough” is often all you need to move forward.
Self-Doubt Is Normal—But It Doesn’t Have to Lead
Overcoming self-doubt in the workplace starts with recognizing that doubt is part of growth, not a sign you’re unqualified. Many high-performing professionals experience hesitation, especially when stepping into something new.
The key is learning not to let that doubt make your decisions. You can acknowledge it—and still choose to move forward with clarity and intention.
Perfectionism Slows Down Progress
One of the biggest barriers I see is overcoming perfectionism. When you feel like everything has to be perfect before you act, you end up overthinking, delaying, or not starting at all.
Done is better than perfect. Taking imperfect action allows you to learn, adjust, and improve much faster than waiting for the “perfect” plan.
Emotional Intelligence Helps You Move Forward
Emotional intelligence in the workplace plays a big role in how you navigate uncertainty. It helps you recognize what you’re feeling—fear, hesitation, or self-doubt—without letting it control your behavior.
When you’re more aware of your internal responses, you can make more intentional decisions and show up as a more grounded, confident leader.
Confidence Comes from Action, Not the Other Way Around
If you’re waiting to feel confident before you act, you’ll be waiting a long time. Leadership confidence is built through experience—by taking risks, learning from outcomes, and continuing to show up.
Every small step you take reinforces your ability to handle more. Confidence grows after action, not before it.
You Don’t Have to Have It All Figured Out
There’s a lot of pressure—especially for those stepping into bigger roles—to have all the answers. But growth doesn’t work that way. You figure things out as you go.
Giving yourself permission to learn in real time not only reduces pressure, but also allows you to stay adaptable, curious, and open to new opportunities.
Listen to the full episode of The People Success Circle for more insights on building a thriving culture that drives results.
Read the full transcript
Mindy: Hello and welcome back to this week’s episode of The People Success Circle podcast. Lauren, I am so glad to have you on the podcast today. I know my listeners are going to enjoy hearing more about your business and your story.
Lauren: Yeah, thanks so much for having me. I’m excited to be here.
Mindy: One of the things I’ve learned from you is that you talk about being ready enough to make a move in life, business, and work. Can you start by telling us what prompted you to start teaching this concept?
Lauren: Yeah, this whole idea of readiness came through life experience. I was always one of those bold kids—I went after any dream without thinking about failure. But when I got into college and then started my corporate career, I wasn’t as bold anymore.
I became someone who thought through every scenario before taking action. I waited until I checked every box before applying for a job. I wouldn’t speak in meetings until I had my whole script planned out. Those small decisions made me hold myself back, and it started impacting my career.
During 2020, I had a moment to pause and reflect. I realized I was costing myself opportunities. I kept asking: how can I go after goals when I don’t have all the answers?
Mindy: What were you doing at that time?
Lauren: I was early in my marketing career, working in tech. I was often the youngest and sometimes the only woman in the room. That created pressure—I felt like I didn’t have enough experience to speak up.
Later, I became a mom, and that shifted things even more. I realized I was holding myself back because of fear—fear of failure and what people would think.
Mindy: Was there a specific moment where you decided something had to change?
Lauren: Yes. I was walking through an art museum in Raleigh, North Carolina. I sat by a pond, and for the first time, my mind got quiet. Two questions kept coming up: Why am I working so hard to impress others? And for what?
That’s when I realized I was ignoring my own dreams. One of those dreams was public speaking. That same day, I went home and posted on Instagram: “I am a keynote speaker.” Not “I want to be”—I claimed it.
It was the first time I said I am something before having proof. That mindset shift changed everything.
Mindy: I love that. So many people think they need to be fully ready before taking action.
Lauren: Exactly. But I do want to clarify—being “ready enough” isn’t reckless. It’s about recognizing you have enough experience to take the first step. You don’t need every qualification—you just need a foundation to build from.
Mindy: That aligns with what I see in HR. People—especially women—often wait until they meet every qualification before applying for a job.
Lauren: Yes. Instead, look at your evidence bank. What experience do you already have? What skills can transfer? You don’t need the full roadmap—just enough to take the next step.
Mindy: I always call those transferable skills. You’re a whole person—you bring more than one specific experience.
Lauren: Exactly. You just need enough clarity to take that next step, then figure out the next one afterward.
Mindy: You also talk about risk as a leadership skill. Walk me through that.
Lauren: Risk isn’t something we’re taught. We’re taught to stay inside the lines. But innovation happens outside those lines.
Taking small, calculated risks helps you discover what you’re capable of. It’s not about big, reckless decisions—it’s about small, repeatable steps that push you outside your comfort zone.
Mindy: How does that show up in the workplace?
Lauren: Leaders set the tone. If you reward perfection, teams hesitate. If you reward progress, teams take action.
It could be small things—testing different ideas, trying new approaches. Even if something doesn’t work, it’s still learning. That’s how innovation happens.
Mindy: I love that. The best leaders I’ve worked with encouraged trying things—even if they didn’t work.
Lauren: Exactly. Leaders should:
Talk openly about failures
Celebrate lessons learned
Model risk-taking themselves
Employees want to feel safe. If they feel safe, they’ll innovate.
Mindy: For someone listening who feels stuck, what can they do?
Lauren: I walk clients through a “ready enough” exercise:
What did you love doing as a kid?
How are you using that today?
If you could do anything, what would it be?
What’s holding you back?
What’s one small action you can take this week?
Then you create a statement:
“I believe I’m ready enough to ___, and the first step I’m taking is ___.”
Sign it and date it. That creates accountability.
Mindy: I love that—putting a stake in the ground.
Mindy: How do you balance preparation without falling into perfectionism?
Lauren: It’s hard. I’m a recovering perfectionist.
Two things help:
Share the messy version—people relate to it more than perfection
Ask: Who am I trying to impress?
Most of the time, it’s vague or external. When you focus on making yourself proud, it becomes easier to move forward without perfection.
Mindy: What’s the cost of waiting until you feel fully ready?
Lauren: Opportunities. Sometimes it’s a split-second decision.
You might miss:
A job opportunity
A relationship
Starting a business sooner
We tell ourselves we’re “being cautious,” but often we’re just avoiding risk. The longer we wait, the more we crave certainty—and the more opportunities pass us by.
Mindy: As we wrap up, how can people connect with you?
Lauren: You can visit laurenbean.com for speaking, coaching, and resources. You can also find me on LinkedIn or Instagram at @lauren.bean.
Mindy: Thank you so much for being here. I hope someone listening realizes they are ready enough to take that next step.
If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, leave a review, and hit follow. I’ll see you next time on The People Success Circle.
