Are You Second-Guessing Yourself?

A lot of conversations about becoming an influential leader miss a basic but vital component.

When leaders struggle with authority, confidence, or even imposter syndrome, the root issue usually isn't capability.

It's communication.

And because it's so fundamental, it often gets overlooked. 

Communication shapes how people experience us, and over time, it shapes our personal brand.

Here are four ways to strengthen that connection and communicate with more influence and confidence. 

What you say must be clear.

Lack of clarity creates hesitation. Even when a message is clear in your own mind, it may not be clear to anyone else. That’s often where doubt starts to creep in. Clarity reduces friction and gives people something solid to respond to. 

How you say it matters more than most people realize.

Tone, energy, and delivery all send signals. The same message can build confidence or create gaps, depending on how it’s communicated. People experience you before they analyze your words. 

Intent shapes trust.

Positive intent creates tailwinds. When communication is focused on moving the conversation forward, not protecting yourself or proving a point, people feel it. They’re more likely to engage, speak up, and come along with you.

Confidence reinforces influence.

Messages grounded in logic, experience, and values are easier to deliver with conviction. That conviction builds trust, reinforces credibility, and strengthens influence over time.

These four things show up every day in meetings, emails, difficult conversations, and moments under pressure. Over time, they define how people experience you as a leader.

I go deeper into this in a recent YouTube video where I walk through how communication directly impacts influence, personal brand, and even overcoming imposter syndrome.

You can watch it here: