You Might Be Doing Better Than You Think

One thing I’ve seen repeatedly in my years leading teams is that the people who worry they’re not performing well are usually the ones doing the best work.

I had an engineer once who was absolutely punching above her weight leading a cross-org initiative. This project touched multiple teams, multiple directors, a messy technical migration, and a high-visibility deadline. She had no idea how much she was holding together. When review season came around and she got a “greatly exceeds”… the top rating…she was genuinely surprised. This was after months of being told in 1:1s how strong her performance was. Everyone around her saw the impact she was making… except her.

And she wasn’t the exception. Repeatedly, I saw some of my highest-performing engineers doubt their output, question whether they were doing enough, and focusing more on what they hadn’t done than what they had. I’ve thought a lot about why this happens. My best guess? The people who push themselves the hardest are usually the ones who see the gap between where they are and where they want to be. They’re always scanning for what they could improve…great for growth, terrible for confidence. Imposter syndrome shows up, and while it’s uncomfortable, it often fuels some of the strongest work on a team.

Meanwhile, the people who assume they’re already “crushing it” tend to stop checking their blind spots. They coast without realizing it.

So here’s the point: if you’re feeling behind, stressed, or not “good enough” right now, there’s a solid chance you’re actually doing far better than you think. And if you’re feeling a little too confident, it might be time for a quick gut check.

Growth usually belongs to the people who stay self-aware…even when it’s uncomfortable.