Hey friend—can we talk about a quiet little lie that’s probably messing with your leadership?

It’s this sneaky belief that you’re not qualified enough.

Not qualified to lead the hard conversation.
Not qualified to run the meeting.
Not qualified to lead the project, manage the team, or—let’s be honest—just be the leader.

So you shrink back. You hesitate. You wait for the day you feel more polished, more impressive, more “leader-like.”

But here’s the truth:
Your team isn’t waiting for you to feel more qualified.
They’re waiting for you to lead.
And you’re more ready than you think.

My Story (And Why I Get It)

I was 27 when I got dumped into my first leadership role, overseeing a nonprofit team full of people older and far more experienced than me. Some of them were my parents’ age! I had zero formal training in team leadership, conflict management, budgeting, or even how to run a decent meeting.

So why did they give me the job?
To be honest, I wondered that too.

But over time, I realized something:
They didn’t hire me because I was fully trained.
They hired me because of what I brought to the table—my natural strengths, my perspective, my heart for the mission.

Untrained? Yes.
Unqualified? No.

We’ve got to redefine what “qualified” really means.

So What Does It Mean to Be Qualified?

Let’s erase that mental checklist you’ve been carrying around—where “qualified” means you’re experienced, polished, articulate, unshakeable, and 110% confident every day. (Spoiler: no one hits all of those.)

Here’s what I believe:

Leadership is consistently showing up with excellence in your natural strengths to serve and empower your team toward something great.

So, ask yourself:

• Do you care deeply about your people?

• Do you want your team to thrive?

• Do you show up with consistency and humility?

• Are you willing to learn and grow?

If yes?
You’re already qualified. Full stop.

But What About Imposter Syndrome?

Yep, it’s real. I’ve felt it regularly.
And I’d bet even the leader you admire most—yes, that one—feels it too.

Let’s break down a few of the biggest lies imposter syndrome whispers to us:

Lie #1: “I’m not experienced enough.”

Listen, very few leaders step into their first (or second, or tenth!) leadership role with loads of leadership-specific experience. There’s no universal training program. You gain experience one decision, one conversation, one challenge at a time.

When I first started, I was so afraid of things reflecting badly on me that I tried to control everything. I ended up deep in the weeds, especially in areas I wasn’t even trained for—like trying to micromanage marketing without any marketing background.

What I really needed wasn’t more control. It was training in how to empower my team.

That’s why I created a free training for leaders like you called Free to Lead—to help you coach your team to perform well without burning yourself out. You can grab it at www.heykaralist.com/workshop.

Rewrite the lie: “I’m not experienced enough” becomes → “I’m gaining experience every day.”

Lie #2: “I’m not as good of a leader as [insert name here].”

Comparison is a trap. That person you’re looking at? They’re not you. They don’t know your people, and they don’t bring your exact mix of gifts, values, and experiences.

It’s kind of like being a mom (if you’re one, you’ll get this). We scroll through Instagram and see perfectly polished moms with braided-hair kids and creative snack boards and perfectly planned crafts. And we think, “I’m not like her.”

But you know what my kids want?

Me.

Not Pinterest-me. Not “polished” me. Just the mom who snuggles with them in the morning, dances like a goofball to make them laugh, and genuinely loves them like crazy.

Your team wants you, too.

Lie #3: “I’m going to mess this up.”

Spoiler alert: You will mess things up. That’s a given.

But here’s the thing—you are not powerful enough to ruin everything. That might sound blunt, but it’s actually freeing. The pressure to be perfect isn’t just unrealistic—it’s unnecessary.

Mistakes are part of the deal. When you mess up, use it. Learn. Apologize. Grow. You don’t need to avoid failure—you just need to keep moving forward.

So, Why Are You More Qualified Than You Think?

Let me give you three powerful reasons:

1. You care.
   You genuinely want your people to grow. You lead with heart—and that is rarer than you think.

2. You bring something unique.
   Whether it’s your vision, people skills, organization, or grit—there is something about your presence that no one else can replicate.

3. You’re already in the seat.
   You were hired for a reason. You belong in the role. And the best leaders? They don’t wait to “feel ready”—they grow into the role by showing up.

The Real Cost of Self-Doubt

Let me leave you with a story.

Imagine you're at a family dinner and someone starts choking. You once took a CPR class, so you know what to do—but you hesitate. “I’m not a professional,” you think. “What if I mess this up?”

Someone else steps in and helps in time, but afterward, you realize… you were qualified enough. You just didn’t believe it.

Now that’s dramatic, sure. But the principle stands:

Your doubt doesn’t just affect you.
It affects your team, your culture, your impact.

Your Next Steps

If this hit home for you, here’s what I want you to do this week:

1. Make a “Wins List.”
   Write down what you’re proud of in your leadership. Come back to it when self-doubt creeps in.

2. Get honest about your gaps.
   Write out where you feel the most unsure—feedback, meetings, coaching, culture-building—and then commit to getting the support you need. (Need a place to start? Reach out to me on Instagram, LinkedIn, or via email.)

You’re not alone in this, friend.

I’m cheering you on—but more importantly, I hope you’ll start cheering yourself on too.

And if you haven’t yet, grab the free Free to Lead training at www.heykaralist.com/workshop. Because you?
You’re way more qualified than you think.