The Impostor Syndrome Files
Do you ever feel like a fraud? Are you living with chronic self-doubt? Do you question whether you deserve to be in your role? If so, you're not alone! As a leadership coach and lifelong struggler with impostor syndrome, I wanted to create a space where professionals can tell their personal stories and unburden themselves of the silent shame that comes with this experience. I also wanted listeners to be able to hear themselves in others and realize that they are not alone. On this podcast, we'll share the stories of professionals from different backgrounds who've struggled with and learned to manage impostor syndrome. We'll also learn from experts on how to better manage ourselves and our environments to minimize the overall threat of impostor syndrome. Let's erase the stigma and stop feeling ashamed of these very normal experiences. And let's come together to share our challenges and strategize how to effectively rise above them.
The Impostor Syndrome Files
Keep It Human: Embracing Uncertainty and Sharing Power in Leadership
In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about embracing uncertainty as a leader. What does it really mean to lead with humanity—especially in an age of AI, change fatigue, and constant uncertainty? My guest this week is Jim Bouchard, author, speaker, and founder of The Human Centric Leader. In this powerful conversation, Jim shares how his personal journey from addiction to leadership taught him what transformation really takes—and why the best leaders don’t have all the answers.
We explore what it means to lead through uncertainty, the importance of sharing power and time, and how AI may actually amplify our humanity rather than replace it—if we use it well. We also dig into why resistance is a powerful compass, and how impostor syndrome can get in the way of becoming the leader you were meant to be.
About My Guest
By his own admission, Jim Bouchard should have been dead or in jail many times over. Martial arts helped him overcome a life of crippling self-doubt and self-destruction. In his programs, Jim shares his inspiring transformation from dropout and drug addict to Black Belt and Sensei -- and how that experience made him a genuine leader. He went on to open 5 martial arts schools, helping hundreds of people achieve their Black Belt rank, and thousands more discover their best selves.
Today, Jim helps leaders around the world connect on a deeply human level to attract, engage, and lead people to their highest levels of performance and productivity.
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Connect with Jim:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimbouchard/
Website: https://www.thehumancentricleader.org/
Join the Community: https://keep-it-human.mn.co/landing?space_id=17243140
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Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:
Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:
https://www.kimmeninger.com/challenge
Learn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:
https://www.kimmeninger.com/leadinghumansgroup
Join the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6
Join the Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumans
Schedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challenges: https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-session
Connect on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/
Website:
https://kimmeninger.com