Have you ever walked into a room and thought, “Any minute now, they’ll figure out I don’t belong here”? 

That creeping sense of self-doubt, even when you’re perfectly capable, is something many of us know all too well.

I recently had an epiphany while listening to a podcast with a former CEO and it stopped me in my tracks: She shared that, she recently had changed lanes and became a director of a thriving digital company but despite having been  a powerhouse for many years, she was grappling with feelings of imposter syndrome.

She also admitted that engaging with new people, especially younger colleagues, can leave her feeling intimidated. Gosh! 

In 1978, clinical psychologists Dr. Pauline Clance and Dr. Susan Imes coined the term Imposter Syndrome to describe people who, despite clear evidence of their competence, struggle to internalize their achievements. Around 70% of people will experience it at some point, believing their success is merely due to luck, or that others overestimate their abilities.

The surprising truth? Success doesn’t make these feelings disappear, in fact, it can intensify them. We often think that reaching a certain level of success will bring confidence, but when new challenges emerge, those feelings of doubt tend to resurface. The more we suppress them, the stronger the cycle of self-doubt and anxiety becomes.

So, if you’re struggling with imposter syndrome, rest assured, you’re not alone. It’s not just for beginners or those still finding their feet, it can affect even the most successful individuals. I’ve had my fair share of highs and lows while building my business.

Actress Natalie Portman once shared in a commencement speech how, during her time at Harvard, she thought, “There must be some mistake. I’m not smart enough to be here. Every time I spoke, I felt like I had to prove I wasn’t just a  dumb actress.’”

Here’s the secret: If you feel like an imposter, you probably aren’t one. Often, this feeling is tied to Bertrand Russell’s insight that truly intelligent people are constantly questioning themselves.

But constantly feeling like an imposter can also prevent you from asking for help or acknowledging your accomplishments.

The problem is, these feelings aren’t always easy to talk about. If you bring them up with friends or family, you might hear the well-meaning but unhelpful response: “Don’t be silly! You’re so talented. You can do anything!”  

Reframing Imposter Syndrome

The common advice to ‘fake it till you make it’ tends to make things worse. By pretending to have all the answers, you’re reinforcing the imposter complex, which only feeds the cycle of self-doubt.

So, what if instead of trying to eliminate imposter syndrome, we reframed it as a sign of growth? What if we accepted it as a natural part of the learning process?

Feeling like an imposter typically occurs when we’re taking creative risks or forming new connections both essential components of personal and professional development. When we step into the unknown, vulnerability is inevitable. But rather than seeing it as a weakness, view it as a clear sign that you’re evolving.

The Power of Being a Novice

There’s an overlooked benefit to being new in your field: you’re free to ask questions no one’s asked before, and you can approach problems from fresh, innovative angles.

Stanford Professor Carol Dweck’s research on mindset shows that imposter syndrome is often fuelled by a performance mindset where mistakes and feelings of inadequacy are seen as proof of your limitations. This mindset breeds the fear that you don’t belong.

But there’s another, more empowering mindset to adopt: the learning mindset. Instead of viewing mistakes as failures, see them as essential stepping stones in your growth.

When you embrace this mindset, your limitations transform into opportunities for development, and your fresh perspective can lead to groundbreaking ideas.

TED speaker Brené Brown, authority on vulnerability and courage, often emphasises that failing is not the opposite of courage; it is part of it. She believes that embracing failure, rather than fearing it, allows us to learn, grow, and build resilience.

According to her, leaning into discomfort and acknowledging our mistakes can actually deepen our creativity and strengthen our connections with others, showing us that imperfection is a shared human experience, not a mark of inadequacy.

Uncovering the Root of the Belief

Sometimes, feelings of being an imposter stem from deeper, unresolved beliefs about your worth. It’s valuable to explore where these feelings of inadequacy originate.

Coaching can help you uncover the sources of shame or pain that contribute to these beliefs. Often, these are simply survival mechanisms created by the brain to protect you from failure or discomfort. But that doesn’t mean they need to hold you back.

Once you identify the root of these beliefs, you can begin to challenge them. Replace them with a more empowering thought: “I am just having a go at this. And I’m allowed to make mistakes along the way.”

Tina Fey sums it up: “The beauty of the impostor syndrome is you vacillate between extreme egomania and a complete feeling of: ‘I’m a fraud! Oh God, they’re on to me! I’m a fraud!’ Seriously, I’ve just realised that almost everyone is a fraud, so I try not to feel too bad about it.”

If you have any questions or would like some help working on your confidence or other challenges, please feel free to reach out via the contact form.

Feature Image by Thirdman