✨ Imposter Syndrome as a Sustainability Leader
A mindset shift to help you lead with more clarity, even when the path feels uncertain.
Imposter syndrome is a theme we’ve seen again and again in our work with sustainability leaders. And it’s no surprise that even the most capable, driven individuals experience these moments of self-doubt.
It comes with the nature of the role.
You’re navigating new territory, often without enough resources, internal support, or buy-in.
There’s no playbook, because much of this work has never been done before.
Meanwhile, everyone expects you to have answers to everything even remotely related to sustainability. And all of that in a fast-changing environment where regulations, public perception, and competing priorities are constantly shifting.
That’s why imposter syndrome is such a common, yet often unspoken, experience in this field.
So this article is a bit different.
It’s not about a breakthrough insight. It’s a moment to pause and say: this is part of the journey we’re on together. It’s not a sign you’re unqualified. It’s a sign you’re out on the edge where real change happens.
In a recent TSC Leadership Mindset session, coach Alexandra Wicksell helped members reframe imposter syndrome as a signal for growth and offered practical tools to respond with greater confidence.
Here are three takeaways:
🔁 Recognize the pattern.
When doubt creeps in, many of us react by over-preparing, hesitating, or letting others take the lead. The first step is noticing your default pattern — so you can start to break it.
💬 Reframe the thought.
Ask: How would I act if I trusted my expertise? or What would I do if I didn’t feel like an imposter? This subtle shift can unlock new ways of showing up.
💪 Shift your body, shift your mind.
Confidence is physical. Breathe deeply. Open your posture. Speak clearly and slowly. These small adjustments send powerful signals — to others and to yourself.
✨ These kinds of mindset sessions are an integral part of TSC. They may not focus on sustainability topics directly — but the challenges are deeply familiar: navigating new roles, leading without a blueprint, building credibility with small teams and limited guidance. And in spaces like these, leaders realize: you’re not the only one.
❓What helps you push forward when self-doubt shows up?
Hit reply and share your story — we might feature it in a future edition.
✨ Meet a Member: Nadim Imrit
Nadim leads sustainability at SBM Group, a leading banking group headquartered in Mauritius, with operations across Asia and Africa. He integrates sustainability into core business strategies, drawing on 20+ years of experience in advisory, finance, risk management, and corporate banking.
🌱 His path into sustainability
Nadim began his career in corporate banking, structuring debt for green projects and seeing firsthand how finance could drive environmental change. As he moved into roles focused on ESRM and climate risk, it became clear that sustainability couldn’t remain siloed. Real impact required embedding it across the business—not just in risk frameworks or financing tools. That insight ultimately led him to focus on sustainability at the strategy and leadership level.
🎯 What he’s proud of
"Creating and securing board approval for SBM Group’s Strategic Sustainability Roadmap." A bespoke blueprint that turns SBM Groups vision into action—anchored in KPIs and frameworks that reflect the Group’s unique strengths across African and Asian markets.
🚧 A challenge he’s navigating
"Harmonizing execution across four markets with very different regulations and capabilities."
Balancing a single Group framework with local flexibility—and bringing teams along who may still see sustainability as ‘just CSR’—is part governance, part talent, part cultural shift.
🔄 A recent decision that made a difference
"Moving from siloed project teams to cross-entity working groups."
The change fostered alignment, accelerated progress, and built shared ownership of results—shifting the energy behind key initiatives across the Group.
💬 A quote that stayed with us
“Sustainability accelerates when it drives capital, not just compliance.”
👉 Read the full spotlight with Nadim on LinkedIn
🔗 Connect with Nadim
🌟 Out now! The Stakeholder Engagement Playbook
We just launched a practical new resource to help you lead structured, effective engagement processes — especially in moments of transition when alignment is critical.
Co-created with Antonio Vizcaya Abdo and grounded in real-world experience, the playbook includes visual tools and clear frameworks to help you map key actors, align with business priorities, and build cross-functional support.
📥 As a newsletter subscriber, you can request your copy here — just enter your email and we’ll send it straight to your inbox.
✨ TSC × Dazzle: A New Partnership
A New Partnership to Empower Sustainability Leaders
Sustainability leaders today are being asked to do more with less — and faster than ever.
That’s why TSC and Dazzle are joining forces.
TSC brings peer connection. Dazzle brings on-demand talent. Together, we connect community with capacity — helping leaders go from insight to execution with more support and less friction.
We’re working toward a shared mission:
✔ Empower sustainability leaders to do more with less
✔ Fuel innovation with the right people, skills, and perspective
✔ Shape the future of leadership across industries
✔ Unlock more value for people, business, and the planet
Sustainability is a team sport — and this partnership is here to make the team stronger.
👉 Read the Full Partnership Announcement
⏰ Join Todays's Leadership Session - 5 PM CET
Leadership Mindset Session:“The Art of Influence — Storytelling & Presence in Leadership”
To shape the future, you need to know how to shape a room. This session blends neuroscience, narrative design, and presence techniques to help you lead with clarity, confidence, and impact.
If you’re a TSC member, make sure to RSVP. For non-members, we’re offering one exclusive guest seat — a rare chance to peek into a real TSC member experience through this session.
👉 Claim the spot here.
🗓️ More Upcoming Community Events
18.06 — Roundtable: "From Cost Center to Value Driver: (Re)positioning Sustainability at the Core"
In many organizations, sustainability is still seen as a cost or compliance task. This roundtable is for leaders changing that story—positioning sustainability as innovation, strategy, and value creation.
👉 RSVP and learn more
— Max 💜
P.S. Thinking about becoming a member? Visit our website to learn more about membership and see if it’s the right fit for you. 👉 Learn more
