How a VP of Product Tackled Imposter Syndrome in the Boardroom
Advice for thriving in high-pressure environments from Tara Goldman (Former VP of Product turned Executive Coach)
When you hire a new executive at a growth stage startup, there’s this big ‘rah rah’ moment. Like, this persons here to save the day!
That’s
, a former VP of Product turned Executive Coach.Her resume is packed:
Product Leadership roles in B2B, B2C, and fintech.
Co-founder of GoldHue, a consultancy for product and growth leaders.
An executive coach helping leaders navigate imposter syndrome, career pivots, and high-pressure environments.
But her story goes beyond her career. Born to Israeli immigrant parents, Tara grew up in New Jersey speaking Hebrew as her first language. She had entrepreneurial parents and was the oldest sibling in a close-knit family. That upbringing set the stage for her leadership and entrepreneurial journey.
More on Tara’s story after a quick shoutout to our sponsors!
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One of the biggest tests of Tara’s career came during her first board meeting as a VP of Product
The stakes were huge:
She’d just joined the company.
She was expected to deliver a presentation to top-tier VC investors.
And she barely felt like she understood the product, let alone the business.
This was early in Tara’s executive journey, during a time when she was still figuring out how to “step into” her leadership role.
She’d been hired into a high-growth startup that had huge expectations.
And to the board, she was the “savior” who would turn things around.
“When you hire an exec at a growth stage startup, there’s this big ‘rah rah’ moment. Like, this persons here to save the day!" she shared.
But behind the scenes, Tara was struggling with imposter syndrome. She knew her material, but the thought of presenting to these investors left her questioning if she belonged in the room.
The pressure was real
“Nobody tells you what’s going to happen in those rooms, what each board member cares about, or what good looks like - it’s like a black box.”
Wanting to prove that she belonged - Tara focused on what she could control: her preparation.
She rehearsed her part for over 20 hours, memorizing every detail to the point where she could present without slides.
Her biggest fears played on repeat in her head:
What if I fail?
What if they see through me?
What if I’m just not good enough?
She didn’t pretend to have all the answers:
When her name was called, the hours of preparation kicked in, and the words started flowing.
As she spoke, she started to find her rhythm. The questions she feared began to roll in, but instead of throwing her off, they gave her a chance to showcase her knowledge.
She didn’t pretend to have all the answers. If she didn’t know something, she owned it and responded honestly.
She also relied on her CTO, her co-presenter, to fill in gaps and balance the conversation.
Two huge lessons:
The board meeting wasn’t perfect. Tara still walked away wishing she’d known more and had a better grasp of the business. But she learned two huge lessons:
Confidence isn’t something you feel—it’s something you practice.
Leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about showing up prepared, being honest about what you know (and don’t), and building trust through action.
Her story is a great reminder that leadership is messy.
We all face moments of doubt. Those moments don’t define us. How we respond to them does.
Have a high-pressure moment coming up?
Here’s what you can apply from Tara’s story.
Build confidence through preparation
Tara left nothing to chance. She practiced her presentation until it felt second nature, ensuring she could speak with clarity and authority.Partner Outside Your Bubble
She leaned on a trusted colleague, her CTO, to co-present, sharing the workload and creating a balanced narrative.Manage Nerves with Movement
Before the meeting, Tara took a moment to breathe, calm her nerves, and center herself. This helped her walk into the room with focus.Quiet Your Inner Critic: Name the inner voice of doubt holding you back and consciously lower it’s volume instead.
Catch the full conversation with Tara. It’s packed with insights on leadership, overcoming imposter syndrome, and thriving in high-pressure environments.
Watch on YouTube 📺
Or, listen on Spotify 🎧
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