179: The Secret to Overcoming Imposter Syndrome as a New Leader

Every new manager faces it—that creeping feeling of "Am I really cut out for this?" If you've recently stepped into a leadership role or have ever doubted your capabilities as a manager, this episode is for you. In this empowering edition of The New Manager Playbook, host and leadership coach Lia Garvin tackles imposter syndrome head-on and offers real strategies to overcome it and lead with confidence from day one. Whether you're managing former peers, stepping into a leadership role at a new company, or leveling up to a senior position, imposter feelings can be paralyzing. But they don’t have to define you. Lia shares a powerful framework and personal stories—including her time managing high-performing teams at Google, Microsoft, and Apple—to show how self-awareness, clarity of purpose, and intentional communication can flip the script and fast-track your leadership success. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why imposter syndrome hits hardest for new (and promoted) managersHow to shift from “Why me?” to “Here’s why I belong”How to re-establish relationships when moving from peer to managerThe importance of setting intentions and leadership vision early onWhy being confident helps your team trust you (even if you're still learning)Practical scripts for re-engaging team members and earning buy-inReal examples of how top leaders manage self-doubt without letting it derail them Ready to feel like a capable, confident manager? Subscribe and join Lia Garvin every week for new insights from The New Manager Playbook—where the old rules don’t apply, and ease, empathy, and effectiveness take the lead.👉 Download Lia’s free New Manager Toolkit and access more coaching at https://www.liagarvin.com -- WORK WITH LIA: How many times have you thought "I wish this whole managing people thing was a little easier" or better yet - "tell me what to do to be a better manager and I'll do it"? I've got you covered ;) My new book, The New Manager Playbook, your comprehensive guide to managing with confidence and ease is now available! Grab your copy today! https://www.liagarvin.com/newmanagerplaybook/ Want some support for yourself or your team, let's chat! Schedule a call here: calendly.com/liagarvin/scaleup-strategy CONNECT WITH LIA: Website: https://www.liagarvin.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liagarvin/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lia.garvin/ Music by: https://www.instagram.com/isaacy8s/ Download my FREE guide to making hard conversations with your team easier at liagarvin.com/convo Looking for support for yourself of your team? I've got you covered. Explore manager training, leaders keynotes & offsites, and 1:1 advisory, or my 90-Day-COO program for business owners who want simple systems that actually work. I transform teams from cost centers to profit centers with practical tools and research-backed strategies that make managing EASIER. Get all the details at: www.liagarvin.com Contact: liagarvin.com/contact Email: hello@liagarvin.com Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lia.garvin Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Lia.Garvin -- © 2026 Lia Garvin / Managing Made Simple