Have you ever walked into a room and silently wondered: Do I actually belong here?
Will they find me credible? Am I saying the right thing?
Should I take the job that isn’t exactly what I was looking for… just because it might make me look more legitimate?
I’ve had that thought more times than I can count over the years. And I hear it in almost every woman I coach — even the ones who are wildly accomplished on paper.
Today, I want to talk about credibility.
Who decides it.
Why we question it.
And what’s really happening when imposter thoughts show up — especially for women who are stepping into rooms that weren’t designed with them in mind.
Because here’s the truth:
The very fact that you’re reflecting on this question might be the strongest evidence that you do belong.
Let’s talk about that.
Credibility for Women Physician Leaders
What is credibility, really?
- Is it a title?
- A role?
- A particular institution attached to your name?
- Or is it something quieter — something lived?
One of the biggest shifts I’ve made — both personally and in my coaching — is recognizing that having imposter thoughts doesn’t mean you’re unqualified. They are just thoughts.
In fact, it usually means the opposite.
The people who never question themselves, who never wonder if they have more to learn, often struggle later — in leadership, in relationships, in self-awareness.
You, on the other hand, bring humility.
You bring curiosity.
You bring just enough discomfort to keep growing.
That’s not weakness. It totally normal and it is leadership.
So instead of asking, “Why do I feel like an fake?”
Try asking: “What kind of woman actually deserves to be in this room?”
Close your eyes for a moment and picture her.
- What I see is a woman willing to advocate — even when it’s uncomfortable.
- A woman who takes thoughtful risks.
- Someone who brings others along instead of proving herself alone.
- She has a vision.
- She’s prepared — not over-explaining, not shrinking — but clear.
- She can feel stress without being hijacked by it.
- She respects herself.
- And she knows her values well enough to let them guide her voice.
That vision may look different for you — and that’s exactly the point.
Sometimes, when imposter thoughts creep in, it’s not because we’re falling short — it’s because we’ve never actually named the leader we’re becoming.
I’ve named mine. I call her my She-EO.
And when I need a boost, I ask: How would she walk into this room? How would she speak? I can honestly picture her as one of my favorite mentors.
Change Your Thoughts to Lean into Authority Behaviors
Here’s another reframe that matters deeply:
Doubt is a thought pattern — not a fact.
Doubting yourself doesn’t imply incompetence.
It’s often a signal that you’re stretching into growth.
So when that voice shows up, separate facts from interpretation.
Facts include your lived experience.
- Your training.
- Your persistence.
- Your consistency.
- Your integrity.
- The people you’ve helped.
- The problems you’ve solved.
I actually keep what I call an “accomplishment amnesia check-in.”
Once a week, I intentionally reflect on what I accomplished during that week — because otherwise, my brain defaults to not enough.
This is practicing leadership — just like practicing medicine.
You try something.
You learn.
You adjust.
And you try again.
Leadership isn’t about arriving fully formed. It’s about staying engaged.
And you don’t have to do that alone.
- Ask for feedback.
- Build peer networks that remind you who you are when you forget.
- Keep emails, notes, and messages that reflect your impact.
And when the thoughts get loud — pause. Breathe. Square breaths are more helpful than I ever thought.
Ground your body so your mind can follow.
Personal Leadership Story – Building Confidence From the Ground Up
When I first became Chief, I started attending a whole new set of meetings.
Different rooms.
Different energy.
There were other women — but very few as young as me. Everyone seemed so comfortable while I felt like I was racing in at the last minute either from car pool drop off or an overnight call at the hospital.
They all spoke clearly, confidently, about topics that felt far outside my lane.
And as a pediatrician in an adult hospital, advocacy wasn’t optional — it was essential.
So I made a decision. I set a simple, non-negotiable goal for myself:
I would speak at least once in every meeting.
Not to impress. Not to perform. But in service of my team and my patients.
Remembering that I was invited into that room for a reason gave me permission to use my voice.
At first, there were butterflies every time. Then fewer. Then eventually… none.
And quietly, without forcing it, my self-image changed.
So if you’re listening today and questioning your credibility, let this be your reminder:
You don’t command the room by waiting to feel ready.
You command it by showing up — aligned with your values — and practicing your voice.
You were invited for a reason. And the room is better because you’re in it.
If this episode resonated, join my mailing list now so you don’t miss a thing. It’s stephanieyamout.com/join. I’d love to see you there.
As always, thanks for listening and for leading with heart.