Lawyer in Fintech Overcomes Imposter Syndrome and Speaking Anxiety
From bracing-for-attack to confident leadership in a new, high‑pressure role
Summary
A senior lawyer (UK & EMEA Lead at a fast‑paced fintech) entered a new, more senior role managing a larger team after changing industry sector. With probation underway and pressure as the main household earner, they sought my help to address imposter syndrome, confidence challenges, and public speaking anxiety. By focusing on nervous‑system regulation and resolving root causes, they gained the capacity to present and run meetings well.
Client
UK & EMEA Lead, lawyer at a fintech.
Challenge
Imposter syndrome and confidence issues
Public speaking anxiety
Concern about making a strong impression during probation
Increased responsibility: more people to manage in a new industry
Context
New role at a fast‑paced fintech after changing industry; more senior level with a larger team. Probationary period and primary breadwinner responsibilities intensified performance pressure.
Impact
Anxiety and self‑consciousness were consuming attention and energy, risking meeting facilitation and presentation quality, and potentially undermining first impressions in the new role.
Approach
Remove interference to optimal performance by addressing nervous‑system drivers
Help the client reach acceptance that past traumas undermining confidence were not their fault
Bespoke self‑regulation strategies to calm the system and support healing
Shift attention outward to colleagues and keep cognition online for complex analysis
Delivery
We applied tailored regulation techniques and practical preparation to key meetings and presentations, integrating strategies that maintained a safe, social state before and during delivery.
Results
Rapid freeing of attention and energy from bracing and self‑consciousness
Confident delivery in meetings and presentations during probation
Greater capacity to analyse complex situations and lead effectively
Ongoing healing and sustained confidence
What the client valued most
How would you describe things before you worked with Olivia, and how do you feel about the way things have gone?
“Prior to working with Olivia, I was surviving: doing quite well, but at huge personal cost. I was wondering if there was more I could do. Now, I feel inspired to have made fundamental changes to how I understand myself and others around me, which opens up a lot more possibilities for how I can experience and handle situations.”
How long would it have taken you to get to where you are now without Olivia’s help?
“Many years, no doubt!”
What did you get from working with Olivia that you didn’t expect?
“Olivia’s approach was really surprising and empowering. Olivia is clearly very skilled in what she does but the sessions did not feel heavy‑going. Olivia really listened and responded with deep insights I had not thought before. It has been fundamentally transformational in the deep rooted issues I had wanted to work on in a very short time.”
How does Olivia’s approach compare with any previous therapy or coaching you’ve tried?
“Olivia is highly generous with her insights which are deeper than I have experienced with previous therapy and coaching. There was less need to go into all the history, but we did go into some in a helpful way. I did not feel like I was being fitted into a box and being given with a prescription and unsure about a cure as I have in the past. Instead I felt like I can trust myself to handle situations more than I would have before. It feels inspiring, empowering (and groovy). I have more confidence to try things out by going with the flow. I have made fundamental changes and look forward to testing it out.”
Three words or phrases that sum up your experience of working with Olivia.
“Joyful. Insightful. Transformative.
Want to explore whether this approach is right for you? Book a confidential call.
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