Ever stepped into a new role or opportunity and thought, “What am I doing here?”

In this episode of Courage Loading, leadership coach and career transition strategist Alicia Noble unpacks why imposter syndrome often shows up during career transitions, and how it can actually be a sign that you’re growing, not failing.

Alicia explores the origins of the impostor phenomenon, first identified by psychologists Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes, and explains why high-achieving women are especially vulnerable to it. She also introduces William Bridges’ Transition Model, which breaks change into three stages:

1. Ending – letting go of an old identity
2. Neutral Zone – the messy middle of uncertainty
3. New Beginning – when the new identity starts to feel natural

If you’re feeling stuck, uncertain, or questioning your worth, you might simply be in that neutral zone — the space between who you were and who you’re becoming.

Alicia shares her simple coaching framework, Spot – Soften – Stretch, to help you move through imposter feelings with more ease and confidence:

1. Spot the imposter thought
2. Soften it with curiosity
3. Stretch by taking one small action

Because confidence doesn’t come from waiting to feel ready. It comes from gathering evidence.

1. You’re not faking it. You’re becoming.

Links:

1. 🔗 Free BRAVE Life Audit — The BRAVE Life Audit
2. 🔗 Book a free discovery call — https://link.noblearc.co.uk/widget/bookings/discovery-call-id

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