59. Backing Yourself When the Stakes Are High

About this episode

Leila Ainge and Rachel Cashman discuss the interplay of imposter phenomenon, risk, and leadership in high-stakes situations.

In this episode of Psychologically Speaking, Leila Ainge is joined by strategic advisor and facilitator Rachel Cashman to explore the relationship between imposter phenomenon, risk taking, legitimacy, and trust. Rachel has worked across government, healthcare, defence, and the life sciences, helping leaders navigate high-stakes conversations, organisational conflict, and complex people dynamics. Together, Leila and Rachel unpack what it means to trust your gut, how women learn to scan for risk, and why imposter experiences may actually sharpen our awareness rather than diminish our capability. The conversation explores: imposter phenomenon and legitimacy psychological safety and leadership gut instinct and decision making risk scanning and strategic thinking women, visibility, and authenticity rumination, reflection, and leadership decision making Rachel also shares the story of turning down a major contract despite financial pressure because her instincts told her something wasn’t right and how experience, strategy, and bodily awareness all played a role in that decision. This episode is for leaders, freelancers, entrepreneurs, coaches, and anyone navigating visibility…

People in this episode

Host: Leila Ainge

Guest: Rachel Cashman

Topics covered

• imposter phenomenon
• risk taking
• leadership
• psychological safety
• decision making
• women's visibility
• authenticity

Keywords

• imposter phenomenon
• risk scanning
• leadership
• psychological safety
• decision making
• women's visibility
• authenticity

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Decibelle Creative, fearlessfacilitator.co.uk, LinkedIn, Spotify

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