Ten years ago, I walked into an open-plan office for what I thought would be an ordinary day. But as I pushed the door open, the Managing Director (MD) approached me directly.

In front of everyone, he said, “I’ve asked around about you and looked you up. I’m not sure about you. Let’s go for a coffee,” then grabbed his coat.

The room fell silent. Every pair of eyes in the office was suddenly fixed on me. Embarrassed and uneasy, I walked out, my thoughts spinning.

As we headed down the corridor, I felt an overwhelming mix of emotions. Embarrassment. Doubt. Unease. But I knew one thing for sure: I needed to pull myself together.

I asked myself, “How are you going to handle this?” If I didn’t think quickly, imposter syndrome could take over, and the meeting would unravel before it even began.

Fight or Listen?

By the time we reached the lift, I had made a decision: I would listen.

At the coffee shop, he started talking, and I focused intently on every word. His doubts were clear—he was worried about risk, uncertainty, and fear. Past experiences with consultants had left him disappointed, costing him time and money he couldn’t afford to lose again.

Then, something clicked.

I realized I needed to own who I am. This man—the MD of a successful business—was my peer. I wasn’t there to beg for validation. I was there to offer my expertise and make a difference.

When he finished, I responded calmly and confidently.

Looking him directly in the eye, I said, “My experience speaks for itself. You’re welcome to speak to any of my previous clients, chosen at random, to hear about their experience working with me. But ultimately, the decision is yours, and it’s okay if you choose someone else.”

The tension immediately eased. The conversation shifted. He opened up about his business challenges, and what began as a tense interaction turned into a productive and enjoyable discussion over coffee.

The Outcome

In the end, he became a client. Together, we did some incredible strategy work that drove meaningful results for his business.

But more importantly, that day taught me an invaluable lesson:

Know Your Value

You must believe in your own value, knowledge, and expertise.

Too often, we internalize the doubts or fears of others, letting them shake our confidence. But their uncertainty is not your truth.

When you know your worth, you approach challenges with clarity and confidence. You stop seeing every critique as an attack and start viewing it as an opportunity to connect, empathize, and showcase your strengths.

So the next time someone questions your abilities, remember this:

  • Stay calm.
  • Listen with intent.
  • Respond with confidence.

Because you are good enough.