Deciphering Discomfort: What Your Unease Is Really Telling You

Part of being a leader is feeling discomfort. Heck, that's just part of life! 

You might be feeling like something is off, that “good enough” isn’t cutting it anymore. It’s popular right now to write off that feeling as “imposter syndrome” and keep pushing through. But not all discomfort means the same thing. So, listen to what that discomfort is trying to tell you. 

Three Types of Discomfort 

Imposter Syndrome – This feels like you're waiting to be exposed. You've earned your seat at the table, but you're convinced everyone else belongs there more than you do. This is a confidence gap, not a capability gap. You have the skills; you just don't trust them yet. 

Growth Signals – These show up when you're stretching into something new. Maybe you just took on a bigger role, launched a new program, or stepped into unfamiliar territory. This discomfort is productive — it means you're learning. You're not in over your head; you're expanding your capacity. 

Deep Rooted Discontent – This is a persistent feeling that this isn't where you're meant to be. Not because the work is hard, but because it doesn't align with who you are or what you value. This isn't about needing more confidence or skills. It's about being in the wrong place in your career entirely. 

I’ve felt all of these things at different times and in different ways. I would be lying to you if it were always easy in the moment to really understand what I was feeling. Because at the end of the day, they all feel bad and can all whisper, “You don’t belong here.” 

The Work of Reflection 

No matter how much you might want to curl up under your desk, unfortunately, hiding from this discomfort won’t solve anything. You have to dig deep to know which one you're experiencing.  

Ask yourself tough questions. Does the discomfort ease as you gain experience, or does it deepen? Do you feel energized after pushing through challenges, or drained even on good days? Are you avoiding growth opportunities, or grieving the work you wish you were doing instead? 

Your answers matter because your response should be different for each. Imposter syndrome needs affirmation and evidence of your competence. Growth signals need support and patience as you develop. Real discontent needs you to muster the courage to pivot. 

Don't ignore the discomfort. Decode it. Your clarity (and your organization's success) depends on understanding what it's really telling you. 

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