Dr Veronica Azua got motivated to research self-doubt, after noticing a very common paradox in senior leaders: despite having led successful lives and careers, they would still experience heightened self-doubt and self-criticism. In this Lateral Dialogue, Veronica shares some of the key moments, when we are prone to experience such feelings. How being surrounded by high-achievers or part of "elite" organizations intensifies feelings of self-doubt which may not reflect realistic expectations of our role or results. We explore how organizations or particular contexts eliminate the space to feel doubtful or to tolerate not-knowing, and therefore as individuals, we stay with these feelings privately, often resulting in a systemic vicious circle of Doubt -> Unrealistic expectations -> Hard work -> Despair. Veronica finally shares a few practical strategies for individuals and teams to turn this around. Maybe self-doubt and self-criticism is a secret best kept.