To some degree, imposter syndrome is something everyone experiences. Whether it’s a persistent struggle or just a fleeting nervousness before a big meeting or deliverable, the feeling is very real.

What Is Imposter Syndrome?

Imposter syndrome is the anxious feeling of doubting your ability to achieve, deliver, or succeed—especially in situations that are unfamiliar or outside your comfort zone. It often surfaces when starting a new role, getting promoted, or tackling something beyond your usual day-to-day responsibilities.

While imposter syndrome can feel overwhelming, it does have a silver lining. It keeps you on your toes, pushes you to prove your worth, and drives you to succeed. However, when left unchecked, it can also lead to self-doubt, stress, and burnout. A small dose can be beneficial—it prevents complacency and makes you appear determined and motivated—but it’s important to manage it in a healthy way.

Advice for Those Struggling with Imposter Syndrome

One of the biggest challenges is learning how to move past imposter syndrome. While there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. You’re not alone. Anyone who has ever pushed themselves in a new direction—whether through a promotion, a career change, or taking a leap of faith—has likely faced imposter syndrome. It’s not just happening to you.

2. Recognise your achievements. Take stock of how you got to where you are. You weren’t handed your role by accident—you earned it.

3. Shift your mindset. Instead of seeing imposter syndrome as a sign that you’re not good enough, recognize it as a sign of growth. Discomfort means you’re stepping outside your comfort zone and developing new skills.

4. Talk about it. The more you open up about feeling like an imposter, the more you’ll realize others feel the same way—even those you admire.

5. Reframe failure. Mistakes don’t mean you’re a fraud; they mean you’re learning. Every leader, no matter how experienced, makes wrong decisions.

What I’ve Learned

The phrase “fake it till you make it” carries a lot of truth. As someone in a leadership role now, I was shocked when I realized that even the most experienced senior leaders don’t have all the answers. They’re not all-knowing geniuses who always make perfect decisions. They, too, guess, take risks, and occasionally feel like imposters. Understanding this changed my perspective—it’s not about having all the answers, but about being willing to figure things out.

How I Deal with It

When I find myself facing imposter syndrome, I do the following:

1. Pause and breathe. Taking a moment to center myself helps stop negative thoughts from spiraling.

2. Remind myself why I’m here. I reflect on the hard work and achievements that got me to this point.

3. Take the leap. Sometimes, you just have to push forward, even when it feels uncomfortable. Have I failed before? Yes. Have I doubted myself? Absolutely. But I’ve never let it stop me. Each experience—both positive and negative—teaches me something valuable.

Advice to My Younger Self

Just go for it.

When I was leaving school, everything seemed to revolve around one question: What do you want to be when you grow up? The truth is, I didn’t know at 18. I didn’t know at 30. And honestly, I’m still figuring it out.

But here’s what I’ve learned: You don’t need to have your entire career planned out. Take opportunities as they come, be open to change, and see where the journey takes you. Do I enjoy my career now? Yes. Is it what I always dreamed of? No. And that’s okay.

The key to overcoming imposter syndrome is understanding that growth comes from stepping into the unknown. So trust yourself, embrace the discomfort, and keep moving forward.