Impostor Syndrome Isn't The Enemy

Most of us have felt it at some point. That creeping sense of self-doubt. That voice whispering: Do I really belong here? What if they figure out I don’t have it all together?

We call it impostor syndrome, and we talk about it like a flaw to fix, a problem to overcome. But what if we’ve misunderstood what that feeling really means?

“What if that uncomfortable, vulnerable feeling that you’re out of your depth isn’t a warning sign… but a growth signal?” — Stephen Gee, Co-Founder and CEO at Blend

Stephen recently shared this idea in a blog post while reflecting on time spent in South Africa: maybe it’s time to reframe the narrative. What we label “impostor syndrome” might actually be something else—something powerful. He calls it the "Challenger State."

What’s the "Challenger State"?

Think of the Challenger State as the space you step into when you're stretching, growing, and pushing yourself beyond the edge of what’s comfortable. You’re not coasting on expertise—you’re navigating unfamiliar territory, leading at a level that feels just out of reach.

That uncertainty? That feeling that you’re faking it? It’s not proof you don’t belong. It’s proof you’re evolving.

“You’re in rooms where people know things you don’t. You’re solving problems no one has fully cracked. You’re leading at a level that feels just slightly out of reach… It can feel like you’re faking it. But you’re not. You’re just growing.” — Stephen Gee

Why impostor syndrome is worth embracing

We spend so much energy trying to eliminate impostor syndrome that we forget the gift it hides. That awkward feeling is often evidence that we’re on the right track. When you step into a Challenger State, you gain:

• Deeper empathy and interpersonal strength. People who experience impostor feelings tend to be more attuned to how others feel—and more likely to connect authentically. According to Harvard Business Review, they’re often rated as more interpersonally effective.

• Relentless curiosity and a learning mindset. Feeling out of your depth often drives you to ask better questions, seek mentorship, and absorb new ideas. Rutgers University notes that those with impostor feelings are often more motivated to prove themselves and more open to feedback.

• Humility that balances ego. Unchecked confidence can lead to blind spots. Impostor feelings keep egos in check and open the door for better self-awareness and team dynamics. As Forbes points out, this mindset can be a secret weapon in building strong, balanced leadership.

Why some people never feel like impostors

Here’s the twist: the people who never feel like impostors? They may just be stuck. In expertise. In comfort. In repetition.

And that’s not where great leadership lives.

Great leadership happens in the Challenger State - where growth outweighs certainty, and discomfort becomes a guide. That’s the space where leaders admit what they don’t know, surround themselves with diverse thinkers, and stay open to being transformed.

“Maybe we stop pathologizing this feeling. Maybe we stop calling it ‘impostor syndrome.’ And maybe, instead, we start asking: When was the last time I entered a Challenger State?” — Stephen Gee

A healthier language for growth

Living in the Challenger State full-time isn’t sustainable. We need moments of clarity, mastery, and flow too. But stepping into an impostor feeling regularly and intentionally is how transformation happens.

At Blend, we’ve seen this first hand. Our members (senior leaders across industries) aren’t chasing certainty. They’re choosing challenge. They’re building a community around curiosity, not just credentials. And they’re redefining what the future of leadership really looks like.

So the next time you feel that flicker of doubt… pause. Don’t rush to silence it. It might just be your signal that you’re on the edge of something meaningful.

Leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about being bold enough to ask better questions.

Step into a space with others who get it.

Apply to join the Blend community