A simple tip to grow at work: Ask for it

The ‘confidence gap’ is not about competence. Women underestimate their abilities and overestimate the risks of stepping into leadership

- Roopa Kudva

It's no secret that many women face imposter syndrome at some point in their careers. This nagging feeling that you're not quite good enough, that you're just faking it or that you don’t belong in the room can be overwhelming.

I've worked with countless women who are highly competent, highly accomplished and still struggle with feelings of self-doubt. The truth is that imposter syndrome is something almost everyone experiences, whether they're a man or a woman. But women tend to internalize these feelings more deeply, which can sometimes hold them back.

If you're experiencing this, I want to tell you: You belong. You're not an imposter. The fact that you're questioning yourself means that you care about doing well. It means you're striving to be better. Don’t let that voice of doubt hold you back. Embrace it as a sign that you're pushing yourself out of your comfort zone—which is exactly where growth happens.

Soon after I returned to India following a stint in Paris, the position of chief ratings officer (CRO) at Crisil—to lead the credit rating business, then the largest division of the firm—fell vacant when the incumbent left. At the time, we learned that the CEO and board were not planning to fill the role, deciding instead that the sector leads in the Ratings business (I was one of them) would report directly to the CEO.

However, I felt strongly that the business would benefit from having a dedicated CRO. I believed this role was critical to driving the division’s growth, enhancing efficiency and deepening engagement with investors.

At a company offsite in Goa in mid-2000, after some hesitation, I decided to take action. I prepared a four-slide presentation (which, looking back now, feels quite amateurish by today’s standards), titled “Why Crisil Needs a CRO and Why I Could Be That Person’.