You’re Not an Imposter—You’re Evolving: Redefining Failure as Growth

How many times have you felt a deep pull to pursue something—only to have your own inner voice talk you out of it?That whisper of doubt, fueled by fear or imposter syndrome, convinces you to stay put, to play it safe, to avoid the risk.

It happens to the best of us. We live in a world that rewards certainty and confidence, where having all the right answers often translates to leadership and command. But beneath the surface, this creates an invisible struggle—one where we hesitate to step outside our comfort zones, to be a beginner again, to embrace the discomfort of growth because we fear failure or the judgment of others.

Yet failure, when we let it, is one of the most powerful and transformational forces in our lives. It’s not the setback itself but the resilience—the falling, the getting back up, the trying again—that reveals who we truly are and what we are capable of becoming.

Life is short. No matter how many years we are given, it remains fragile. Tomorrow is never promised. So why wait? Why postpone this sacred moment? More often than not, what makes us feel most alive is waiting on the other side of the very action we resist.

For this week’s Saturday Blueprint, we’ve curated some of our favorite reflections on failure as a catalyst for transformation—and the realization that we are never truly imposters.

We simply need to lean in, trust ourselves more, and shift from our heads to our hearts.

…

Reflecting on both the highs of championship victories and the lows of tough defeats, what have these experiences revealed about you as a person and shaped your growth as a leader?

One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned over my 55-year career is just how important failure is. So many people fear failure, but it’s an essential part of the journey to success. You have to approach it as an opportunity. When you fall short, it’s a chance to reflect, reassess, and figure out what you can do better.

In my coaching career, I saw this firsthand. Whenever we lost a game, I’d watch the film three times, analyzing everything we did and how we could improve. But when we won, I might skim through it and overlook some mistakes because we got the result we wanted. Failure forces you to pay attention to the details you might otherwise miss.  I’ve always embraced the mindset that success is never final, and failure is never fatal. Whether it’s in your professional life, your personal life, or anywhere in between, falling short is a chance to ask yourself: What went wrong? What can I change?

How can I grow?  That philosophy has been my anchor during tough times. When things don’t go as planned, I remind myself: This is my opportunity to get better—don’t waste it.

― Lin Dunn, Hall of Famer and Indiana Fever Senior Advisor

What’s one piece of advice you wish you’d received earlier as a leader?

The advice I’d give to myself—and to anyone—is to tackle the things that scare you the most. Deep down, you usually know what those things are. They’re the fears or barriers holding you back from reaching your goals. It could be something like public speaking or tackling a specific task you’ve been avoiding. Whatever it is, you already know what you need to do. The key is to take action and actually do it.

― Yanek Brinkmann, Co-founder and COO, EXP

Failure is inevitable in leadership, sports, and life. How do you coach others and personally approach turning these moments into opportunities for growth?

Everything that happens in sports, leadership, and life is happening for you—not to you. You are exactly where you need to be right now.

The most successful athletes and leaders I’ve ever coached have this unique ability to both zoom in and zoom out. They know when to obsess over the details and when to step back, reflect, and then refocus.

What may seem like a failure or rejection in the moment is often just redirection. It’s about shifting our attention and perspective. That’s the essence of the practice—the meditation. It teaches us to embrace reflection, redirect our focus, and use those experiences of perceived failure as opportunities for transformational growth.

― Jon Giesbrecht, Director of Mental Performance and Player Development, Vancouver Bandits

How can someone overcome imposter syndrome and build confidence when developing a new skill, particularly when fear and self-doubt start to creep in?

It is all about repetition and embracing imperfection. For me, the key is to keep doing it, even when fear creeps in. I’ve had moments, even here in Chicago, where I’ve felt nervous about taking on something new. But my approach has always been, 'Do it even if you're afraid.' Every experience, whether it feels like success or failure in the moment, adds value.  The reps are critical—just doing it over and over again. Even if you stumble, keep going. Personally, I prefer live segments over pre-recorded ones. There’s a mental hurdle with pre-recording, where the expectation of perfection can feel overwhelming. Live segments and speaking, on the other hand, forces you to push through, no matter what happens. That real-time experience is invaluable.

I feel confidence comes from lived experiences and the repetition of those moments. They teach us resilience and prepare us for future challenges and opportunties, both professionally and personally. I find value even in bad experiences. They’re like teachers. Some people avoid them at all costs, but I believe they help you grow. Whether the lessons are professional or personal, they add tools to our toolbox. In a world dominated by social media, where perfection is often portrayed as the standard, I think there’s so much power in embracing the ups and downs of life. Those moments shape you and give you the confidence to become the person you’re meant to be, both in your career and beyond.

― Tina Nguyen, FOX 32 Chicago Sports Anchor and Reporter

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