Rise & Shine: What if you're more ready than you think?

Seven years ago, I stood outside a boardroom door for five full minutes, unable to walk in.

Inside? The senior leadership team. My invitation? To present my strategic recommendations for Q4.

My qualifications? Years of exceeding expectations, multiple successful launches, and a track record that spoke for itself.

My feeling? Complete fraud.

I eventually walked in (after a pep talk in the bathroom mirror), delivered my presentation, and got every single recommendation approved.

But here's what haunts me: I almost didn't go in at all.

The Promotion Paradox

I was that person who devoured every leadership book. Geeked out on assessments. Got nominated for exclusive leadership development programs. Spent months in Leadership Challenge training.

But when opportunities came up? I questioned myself on the inside… "I'm not ready yet."

Sound familiar?

Here's the twisted part: While I was convincing myself I wasn't ready, others were raising their hands and getting their promotions.

They weren't more qualified. They were just less concerned about being perfect.

The Lies High Performers Tell Themselves

After coaching dozens of professionals, I've noticed something fascinating:

The most qualified people for promotions are usually the last ones to believe it.

You minimize your wins:

• "That project success was a team effort" (but you led the team)

• "Anyone could have done it" (but they didn't)

• "It's just my job" (it's actually three levels above your job)

You exaggerate the requirements:

• "I've never managed people" (but you've influenced without authority)

• "I don't have an MBA" (neither does your boss)

• "I need more experience" (you have more than the last person promoted)

You compare your insides to everyone else's outsides:

• They look confident (they're terrified too)

• They seem to know everything (they Google like crazy)

• They belong here (they wondered that last week)

The Exceeds Expectations Trap

Getting "exceeds expectations" repeatedly can actually hold you back.

Why? Because you get so comfortable being excellent at your current level that moving up feels like starting over. You'd rather be exceptional where you are than average somewhere new.

But here's what I learned: Leadership isn't about knowing everything. It's about figuring it out faster than everyone else and building trust along the way.

The Truth About Those Intimidating Boardrooms

Want to know a secret about those scary leadership rooms?

They're full of PEOPLE who:

• Still Google basic Excel formulas

• Have anxiety about public speaking

• Made it up as they went along

• Wondered if they belonged there too

The only difference? They walked through the door anyway.

Your Readiness Reality Check

Let's get specific. You're probably more ready than you think if:

✅ You're already doing parts of the next level job (just without the title)

✅ People come to you for answers, even when it's not your area

✅ You see problems and solutions your boss doesn't

✅ You're teaching others what you know

✅ You're frustrated by the pace of decision-making

✅ You could do your job in your sleep

Count how many you checked. More than 3? You're not just ready—you're overdue.

The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything

I used to think promotions were for "other people." The confident ones. The connected ones. The ones who seemed to have it all figured out.

Then I realized something that changed my entire career:

NOBODY feels ready. The promoted ones just apply anyway.

They don't wait for 100% qualification. They go at 70%.

They don't eliminate imposter syndrome. They act despite it.

They don't know all the answers. They figure them out.

What If You Acted Like You Belonged?

Here's my challenge for you this week:

Stop asking "Am I ready?" Start asking "What if I am?"

Because the truth is:

• Your imposter syndrome is lying to you

• Your minimized wins are actually major achievements

• Your "not enough" is someone else's "more than qualified"

That desire to make a difference? To be the leader who leaves a lasting impact? That's not naive ambition.

That's your potential knocking.

Your Permission Slip

Since you might need to hear this:

• You have permission to want more.

• You have permission to raise your hand.

• You have permission to be imperfect.

• You have permission to figure it out as you go.

• You have permission to belong in those rooms.

• You have permission to stop waiting for permission.

This Week's Action Plan

1. Write down 10 wins from this year (no minimizing allowed)

2. Find one leadership opportunity to say yes to (even if you're scared)

3. Stop saying "just" when describing your work (it's not "just" anything)

Remember: The boardroom that intimidates you? It's full of people who were intimidated by it too.

They just walked in anyway.

Your turn.

💛 You belong here,

Alyssa

P.S. - Still convinced you're not ready? Reply to this email with your biggest promotion fear. I read every response, and I'll tell you exactly why that fear is probably BS.

P.S.S. - If this hit home, grab my free Get Promoted Checklist + Template — it’s the exact framework I used (and now teach my clients) to build a business case and finally earn the title + pay you deserve. 👉 https://www.riseupcareercoach.com/getpromoted