Meet Jamie Mckinney

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jamie Mckinney a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jamie, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.

I’ve certainly had moments of doubt—everyone does—but I don’t give my power away to Imposter Syndrome. Whenever thoughts like ‘Do I really belong here?’ or ‘Am I good enough?’ creep in, I recognize that I’m doing something that is out of my comfort zone. I celebrate that I’m learning and growing. Can it come with discomfort? Sure, but it’s never debilitated me.
Instead of dwelling on imposter MOMENTS (often mistaken for a syndrome), I treat them as temporary and manageable. When addressed individually, they lose their power—while I regain mine.
Tactically, I do three things and hope you find empowerment in these steps as well. First, I pull from my mantras and recite what is relevant then. Sometimes, it’s “I do hard things.” Other times, it’s, “I am brave. I am smart. I am strong.” I love using Martin Luther King’s sage advice: “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”
Second, I step into action no matter how small. I refuse to stay stuck.
Third, I take deep breaths to ensure I’m thinking logically and clearly.
It’s a simple process, and it works.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I help career-driven women lead with confidence, unlock their potential, and achieve remarkable results in their careers and lives. After 20+ years working in male-dominated industries, I discovered a formula women can use on repeat to advance their careers. I learned it the hard way but used it three times in three different industries, working my way up to the C-Suite and enjoying the ride. Now I willingly share it with other women so they can achieve the same success.

My signature program is the award-winning 3 Pillars of Leadership course. I also provide executive coaching, keynote talks, and workshops. I’ve also been known to host impromptu “Sip & Speak” events for readers of my book, Speak Up, Sister! My passion is empowering ambitious women, particularly those navigating male-dominated industries, to strengthen their confidence, elevate communication skills, and advance career paths.

What makes this work so special is witnessing the transformations. Women often come to me feeling stuck, unsure of how to take the next step, or even recovering from a blow to their confidence. They leave our sessions, however, with unshakeable confidence, clarity in their goals, and actions they’re ready to take. Sometimes, they’ve taken the first step before we’ve concluded a session!

One of the most exciting aspects of this program is the results. In just one recent quarter, 15 women in the program received promotions, collectively increasing their salaries by over $300,000. But beyond promotions and pay raises, the true transformation is personal. I hear stories of women nailing presentations, landing dream roles, or walking into meetings with a whole new level of confidence. A video and more info may be found at www.JamieMcKinney.com/3Pillars.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Confidence – Connection – Courage.

1. Knowing how to build and channel confidence, especially in high-stakes situations.

Confidence isn’t something you just wake up with one day—it’s a skill you can control and develop over time. You can build it as intentionally as you build muscle. For me, learning how to silence self-doubt and step into my power during pivotal moments was a game changer. Whether it was speaking up in meetings, presenting to senior leaders, or navigating unfamiliar territory, I leaned on strategies that helped me project confidence outwardly until I truly felt it inwardly.

My advice to those starting their journey? Practice building confidence like a muscle. Challenge yourself to lift a weight heavier than you think you can. Celebrate your wins and push yourself outside your comfort zone regularly—it’s where real growth happens. If it’s been a while since you’ve felt your heart pound due to nerves, you’re selling yourself short and need to step up your game.

2. Building relationship capital by expanding my network and filling it with mentors, allies, and champions – what I call my MAC Team.

No one achieves success alone. Surrounding myself with people who believed in me, advocated for me, and challenged me to grow was instrumental in my journey. I didn’t just wait for connections to happen—I sought them out intentionally and invested in them as well.

My advice? Have career goals (or at least an outline of your aspirations) and start building relationships with people whom you respect and admire. Share your goals and ask for guidance or mentorship; most people are more willing to help than you might think. And just as important, be a mentor or ally to others—it’s a two-way street that grows relationship capital even more.

3. Saying yes before I was ready.

Some of the greatest growth and achievements in my career came from saying yes before I felt fully ready, yet I was determined to figure it out. I quickly learned that if you wait until you feel 100% prepared, you’ll never make a move and miss out on amazing opportunities.

My advice? Don’t wait for opportunities to come to you. Go after them. Embrace the unknown and trust yourself to rise to the occasion. The moments of stretching and figuring things out on the fly are where you’ll discover your resilience, adaptability, and potential. Remember, most people aren’t looking for perfection—they’re looking for someone who’s willing to learn and get the job done.

For anyone starting out, these three skills—confidence, connection, and courage—are crucial. Prioritize opportunities to build them as much as technical skills, and they’ll serve as a solid foundation for your success.

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose is one of the most impactful, memorable books I’ve ever read. Even as an avid reader, I can’t imagine this book will ever drop out of my top picks. The story of Lewis and Clark’s journey is a challenging read at times. It took me several months, yet I was repeatedly blown away by their tenacity and courage. The idea of crossing the country on foot, enduring extreme weather, and navigating uncharted territory—with no technology, North Face gear, nor Kind Bars—is nothing short of extraordinary!

One passage that stands out vividly is how they communicated with each other. They would write notes, nail them to a tree, and somehow manage to find one another’s messages—in completely uncharted wilderness. It amazed me and made me laugh, especially when I think about how we sometimes struggle to find each other, even with smartphones, pins, and GPS!

When I am up against an obstacle, I often reflect on their journey. If they could accomplish that, then surely I can power through this. Their resilience and resourcefulness are constant sources of inspiration for me.

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Image Credits

Grace Perry, Texas Instruments, H. Nguyen

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