Imposter Syndrome Is NOT Your Problem—Your Ego Is

He thought becoming CIO might expose him.A 150-year legacy. A massive brand. One wrong move—and it’s public failure.But what if imposter syndrome isn’t weakness… it’s proof you belong?

IN THIS EPISODE:

Shane Callahan, CIO at Vanderbilt University, dismantles one of the most misunderstood leadership challenges: imposter syndrome. Instead of treating it as something to eliminate, he reframes it as a signal—you’re in the right room, stretching into something bigger than yourself.

Marc Wolfe and Shane go deep on the tension between fear and growth, ego and trust, and why the best leaders don’t pretend to know everything. From punk rock tours and skateboarding injuries to military intelligence briefings and executive leadership, Shane connects unlikely experiences into a powerful leadership philosophy grounded in humility, discipline, and mission.

WHAT WE COVER:

• Shane’s personal foundation: family, identity, and contradiction

• From punk rock and skateboarding to the military

• What skateboarding teaches about leadership and trust

• Performing under pressure before you’re “ready”

• Why failure is required (not optional)

• The difference between failure and negligence

  
  

QUOTES:

• “Imposter syndrome is one click away from being honored to be in the room.”

• “If you don’t know something, say it. Just don’t fail to follow up.”

• “If people don’t trust you with the little things, they won’t trust you with the big ones.”

  
  

ABOUT THE GUEST:

Shane has over 25 years of experience in technology, intelligence, and leadership. He currently serves as Vanderbilt University’s Chief Information Officer (CIO), after being its first Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). Before joining Vanderbilt, Shane was Vice President and CISO at naviHealth, an Optum company, where he transformed the organization's approach to cybersecurity and built its first security program.

Shane served four years of active duty in the U.S. Air Force and twelve in the Navy Reserves as an Intelligence Officer, focusing on cyber/information warfare, human intelligence (HUMINT), and psychological operations (PSYOPS). After several deployments, he resigned his commission to focus on family life.

His private-sector experience includes leading the global data protection program for Deloitte and overseeing security, privacy, and disaster recovery functions at Tractor Supply Company. Shane also spent nearly a decade teaching IT and cybersecurity as an adjunct professor.

He is a founding board member of the Nashville Chapter of the Cloud Security Alliance and has served on the Mayor’s Information Security Advisory Board. He is also a graduate of the FBI CISO Academy.

Shane lives in TN, with his wife Brianne and their three children. He is also a lifelong musician and recovering skateboarder.

ABOUT THE HOST:

Marc A. Wolfe is an Executive Coach, Strategic Advisor, and President of the Nashville Chapter of the Private Directors Association. He acts as a catalyst for high-performing leaders, helping them navigate complexity and turn conversations into outcomes.

With a unique background that spans supporting early Apple technology at Fortune 500 companies to photographing U.S. Presidents and NFL teams, Marc brings a rare perspective to high-stakes environments. He is the author of Yeah, But, a framework designed to help leaders cut through the noise to accelerate growth and innovation.

RESOURCES / CONNECT / CONTACT:

• Website: https://www.marcawolfe.com/

• Get a copy of Yeah, But: https://ybut.short.gy/yb

• Read your free chapter of ‘Yeah, But’: https://ybut.short.gy/chapter

• Suggest a guest for The Yeah, But Podcast: https://ybut.short.gy/ybguest

CONNECT WITH MARC

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcwolfe/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marcawolfe/

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marcAwolfe

• X (Twitter): https://x.com/marcawolfe