5 Ways to Deal With Impostor Syndrome as an Executive Function Coach
- Sean G. McCormick
- Sep 30, 2024
- 7 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Last updated: February, 2026
Impostor syndrome is loud, annoying, and great at convincing smart executive function coaches to stay on the sidelines.
In this post, you’ll learn 5 practical ways to manage imposter syndrome so you can start coaching and get better through real experience.👇
Table of Contents:
Are you an aspiring executive function coach feeling hesitant to start coaching because of any of the following thoughts?
"What if I can't answer a client's question on the spot? Will they think I'm not qualified?"
"I don't have a license or formal training in coaching—how can I really help someone?"
"I've never done this before, all my experience was in the classroom—how do I know I’m doing it right?"
Many coaches feel they lack enough experience, need more training, or think they require a license.
Because of these thoughts, you may take a long time to start your coaching practice, or worse, never start at all!
This is very unfortunate because there are SO many students and families out there who would benefit from your expertise.
The secret is understanding your impostor syndrome is a gift to be managed, not a foe to be overcome.
Prefer to watch a video on this topic? Check out this video 👇
What is Impostor Syndrome?
Impostor syndrome is the feeling of self-doubt or insecurity where you question your qualifications and worry that others will view you as a fraud, despite your accomplishments.
Impostor syndrome comes from your brain’s fight, flight, or freeze mechanism, trying to keep you “safe” by avoiding risks.
But risks are essential for growth.
Learning to embrace this feeling can help you become a stronger, more effective coach, and lead you to build a successful coaching practice.
For special educators or stay-at-home moms transitioning into executive function coaching, this might look like thinking,
"I don't have a coaching license, or I've only worked in a classroom or at home with my own kids—how can I really help clients?"
EFCA graduate, Josephine Isgro, is someone who drew her experience as a mother to become an executive function coach and launch her practice.
Even though you’ve developed valuable skills, like managing IEPs or creating routines to help children succeed, impostor syndrome can make you feel as though you're not "officially" qualified.
However, these skills are what make you an effective coach, and pushing past this doubt is key to helping others with their executive function challenges.
What Are The Most Common Challenges Related to Impostor Syndrome That Executive Function Coaches Face?
Starting as an executive function coach can bring up a lot of doubts and worries.
Many new coaches face common mental roadblocks that hold them back from getting started.
Here are a few common roadblocks I see new coaches sharing in the EFCA certification program.
1. Feeling inexperienced
You might worry you don’t have enough experience or the right credentials to be effective.
This might sound like:
How could my experience as a (stay-at-home Mom / doctor / manager) translate to coaching students? I might as well stay where I am at.
2. Fear of failure
The fear of making mistakes or being unable to help clients as expected can cause hesitation.
This might sound like:
What if I don't know how to help a student with (insert subject matter) or (unique challenge). Will they not want to work with me?
3. Overthinking
Spending too much time planning, doing endless professional development, or getting overwhelmed with details can prevent you from actually taking action and beginning your coaching practice.
This might sound like:
I can start coaching as soon as I finishing (insert program here). Once I do that, I think I'll be ready.
For more on how to stop planning and start doing, check out this video:
All these barriers are normal and the truth is you’ll never feel completely ready, so it's better to move forward and start coaching.
5 Ways to Deal With Impostor Syndrome As An Executive Function Coach
Here are five key strategies to help you overcome impostor syndrome and build a successful executive function coaching practice.
These strategies use the experience of actual coaches who became EF coach certified, took the leap and made their dream a reality.
Way #1: Leverage your background and passion
Whether you come from teaching, special education, or another field, your unique experience is incredibly valuable.
You already speak the language of overwhelmed humans, you know how to break big problems into doable steps, and you can spot patterns that most people miss.
Your background also gives you instant credibility with the right clients.
A former teacher can connect quickly with students and parents who have been battling missing assignments for years.
A special educator can build trust fast with families who are tired of being blamed for things that are clearly executive function related.
A corporate professional can translate executive function skills into the exact outcomes adults care about, like performance, promotion, and not getting fired because they forgot a deadline again.
Stop trying to sound like everyone else and start using your story as a filter.
Way #2: Build a support network
Connect with other executive function coaches who have experienced impostor syndrome.
Join communities like the Executive Function Coaching Academy, where Tonya Wilson de Waart noted,
"The opportunity to collaborate with new and experienced coaches via live classes, Q&A, and accountability sessions provided me with the support and encouragement I needed."
Feedback and collaboration can help you overcome doubts and grow as a coach.
Way #3: Focus on deliberate learning
Identify specific areas where you feel less confident and work on improving them, rather than just focusing on general skills.
This approach, called deliberate learning, means targeting specific weaknesses for improvement.
It's how the best musicians master songs—not by playing the entire piece repeatedly, but by isolating and perfecting the notes or sections they struggle with the most.
This focused practice leads to faster and more effective growth.
Way #4: Take action, even if it feels messy
My life coach once told me,
"Be messy or be Messi,"
meaning you don’t have to be perfect to move forward, you just need to start.
When we take action, we gather valuable data that helps us improve and make necessary changes.
The only way to grow is by jumping in, learning from the experience, and adjusting along the way.
Way #5: Use data to drive growth
Use data to drive your growth as a coach.
Coaching sessions and family team meetings provide real-world feedback and insights that help you refine your craft.
You can’t get this kind of valuable data from just learning theory or taking courses—you need to be in the field, working with clients, and gathering information that will guide your development.
This data allows you to make adjustments and continuously improve your approach to better serve your clients.
The Bottom Line
If there is one quality I would identify that made me a successful executive function coach, it is having a bias for action.
The most successful executive function coaches aren’t necessarily the smartest or the most credentialed. They’re the ones who take action and embrace the messiness of the journey.
If you are experiencing impostor syndrome, try applying these 5 strategies today:
Embrace your unique experience instead of aiming for more credentials
Surround yourself with others who are doing what you want to do
Learn the specific skills you need, not just general theory
Do something for two minutes or less TODAY
Use sessions to collect data on your abilities
Hope this helps 🤙🏻
FAQs
What if a client asks me something and I do not know the answer in the moment?
That is normal and it does not mean you are unqualified. Say you will follow up, then use your support network and deliberate learning to close the gap and come back with a clear next step.
What if my clients are not seeing progress fast enough?
Progress in executive function is usually uneven, especially at the start when you are building trust and routines.
Pick one measurable target, tighten the plan, and review weekly so you can adjust quickly instead of guessing.
How do I know if I am actually helping clients?
Look for data from sessions and family team meetings, not vibes.
Track small wins like follow through, fewer missed assignments, better routines, and clearer communication and use that feedback to refine your approach.
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About Me
Hey! I'm Sean 👋
I'm a former public school special education teacher who realized that executive function skills are more important than knowing when George Washington crossed the Potomac.
Since then, I've made it my mission to teach anyone who will listen about how to develop these key life skills.
In 2020, I founded Executive Function Specialists to ensure all students with ADHD and Autism have access to high-quality online executive function coaching services. We offer online EF coaching and courses to help students and families.
Realizing I could only reach so many people through coaching, in 2021 I started the Executive Function Coaching Academy which trains schools, educators, and individuals to learn the key strategies to improve executive function skills for students.
In 2023, I co-founded of UpSkill Specialists, to provide neurodivergent adults with high-quality executive function coaching services.
When not pursuing my passions through work, I love spending time with my family, getting exercise, and expanding my brain through reading. You can connect with me on LinkedIn.