Are you out of your depth or just out of your comfort zone?

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Quiz Questions

1.
You've landed the role you've been working towards. What happens once the initial excitement settles?
- A.
  I start wondering whether I'm really capable of delivering at this level.
- B.
  I realise how much I need to learn about the business, people, and expectations.
- C.
  I'm thrilled, but the excitement feels so intense that I start to get very nervous.
2.
You've got an important meeting with senior leadership coming up. What's going through your mind?
- A.
  I'm not ready! I'm still figuring out how things work here and what's expected of me.
- B.
  I'm looking forward to contributing, but the anticipation feels a little overwhelming.
- C.
  I'm worried I'll say something that makes them question my experience or capabilities.
3.
You've inherited a business that's missing its commercial targets. What's your first reaction?
- A.
  What if I can't turn things around quickly enough? Maybe I'm not ready for this responsibility.
- B.
  I need to understand what's been happening and what's already been tried before making changes.
- C.
  I can see exciting possibilities, but the prospect of making a real difference feels very nerve-racking.
4.
Your new boss challenges one of your recommendations. What happens afterwards?
- A.
  I actually enjoyed the challenge, but the adrenaline makes me feel as though something went wrong.
- B.
  I start questioning my judgement and whether I'm experienced enough.
- C.
  I'm unsure whether this is how discussions normally work here or whether I've misunderstood expectations.
5.
You're getting to know the team you'll be leading. What's most on your mind?
- A.
  Understanding these new personalities, relationships, and team dynamics.
- B.
  I'm excited about what we could achieve together, but worried about navigating the politics.
- C.
  Whether they'll respect me and see me as a capable leader.
6.
At the end of a demanding week, what are you most likely to replay in your mind?
- A.
  Small mistakes or decisions that make me question whether I'm good enough.
- B.
  All the things I still don't understand about how the business operates.
- C.
  The possibilities ahead. I'm excited about them, but the anticipation makes it hard to switch off.
7.
Thinking back to previous career moves, which pattern feels most familiar?
- A.
  I became more confident once I understood the people, company culture, and expectations.
- B.
  Even when I was doing well, I sometimes questioned whether I deserved to be there.
- C.
  I've experienced these same butterflies before opportunities that turned out to be amazing.
8.
Since starting your new role, which of these have you caught yourself doing? Select all that apply.
- A.
  Holding back from sharing my ideas because I'm worried they won't be good enough.
- B.
  Spending too much time trying to work out priorities, responsibilities, or who makes the decisions.
- C.
  Describing something I'm genuinely excited about as though it's something to fear.
9.
Which of these would help you feel more confident in your new role right now? Select all that apply.
- A.
  Understanding whether my nerves are genuine concerns or excitement about what's ahead.
- B.
  Recognising my strengths and trusting the experience that got me here.
- C.
  Getting clearer on expectations, priorities, and the relationships I need to build.

Quiz Outcomes

1.
Your Confidence Is Still Catching Up
You're likely more ready for this opportunity than you're giving yourself credit for.You've worked hard to get here, but now that the responsibilities are bigger and you're questioning abilities you've spent years developing.But consider this: what if your confidence simply hasn't caught up with your career progression?Your experience, judgement and achievements haven't disappeared because your job title has changed. You can be learning and capable at the same time.OPPORTUNITY: Start recognising your strengths so you can make decisions, communicate and lead with greater assurance.RISK: Constantly questioning yourself can prevent you from demonstrating the very capabilities that got you here.ACTION: Think of one challenge you've successfully navigated in the past. What helped you succeed, and how could you draw on that experience now? A coach can help you recognise strengths you might be overlooking and build trust in your own abilities.
2.
You're Navigating Change and Newness
Maybe you're not out of your depth. Maybe you're simply finding your feet.A new company, unfamiliar expectations, different personalities and a culture you're still learning. That's a lot to navigate, even for an experienced leader.But consider this: what if the discomfort you're feeling isn't a lack of capability, but simply the challenge of navigating something unfamiliar?Being new to a business isn't the same as being inexperienced as a leader. You don't need all the answers immediately, but knowing which questions to ask can make all the difference.OPPORTUNITY: Take time to understand the business, build relationships and establish your priorities so you can make a meaningful impact.RISK: Rushing to prove yourself before understanding the environment can lead to misplaced priorities, strained relationships and unnecessary pressure.ACTION: Identify one thing you're unclear about, whether it's expectations, priorities or company culture. Consider what you need to find out and who can help. A coach can support you in making sense of the bigger picture and planning your next steps.
3.
Those Nerves Might Be Excitement
Perhaps some of what you're interpreting as fear/anxiety is actually excitement about what's ahead.You've worked hard for this opportunity. Maybe it's a promotion you've wanted for years or a move to a brand you've always admired.But consider this: what if those butterflies aren't necessarily a warning sign, but a reflection of how much this opportunity means to you?Excitement and anxiety can feel remarkably similar. You can be proud of what you've achieved, excited about what's next and still feel a little nervous.OPPORTUNITY: Recognise what you've achieved and allow yourself to embrace this next chapter with enthusiasm and confidence.RISK: Letting those emotions overwhelm you could mean holding yourself back or rushing ahead without taking time to understand your new environment.ACTION: Think of one upcoming situation that's making you nervous. Write down what excites you, what genuinely concerns you, and one thing you can do to prepare. A coach can help you explore those feelings and approach the situation with a fresh perspective.