Letting Imposter Syndrome Win You Over? Don’t.

If you are a workplace leader experiencing these thoughts on a regular basis, you have a serious case of what experts call “imposter syndrome.”

To put it simply, imposter syndrome is defined as this: a psychological experience in which a person suffers from feelings of self-doubt or intellectual inferiority. In the work space, where expectations are high and the stakes are immediate, the thoughts can feel particularly overwhelming. With the pressure to be responsible, voice demands, and depend on others, the mental illness causes people to believe they are constantly falling short.

Today, imposter syndrome is rising at an alarming rate. The Imposter Syndrome Institute reports that approximately 84% of people experience imposter feelings at work, or have at least felt incapable at some point in their career. 

Prudence Hatchett, Leadership Resilience Strategist and Mental Wellness Specialist, adds her insight to this: “I see so many rising leaders who believe they don’t deserve the roles they have earned. Imposter syndrome shows up when you are stretching into something new, and it tricks you into thinking you are unqualified even when the evidence says otherwise.”

That’s the main problem with imposter syndrome. It strikes in moments of success when perhaps folks get a promotion, land a sales goal, or are asked to lead a major project. Instead of celebrating these milestones, individuals automatically resort to panic and hesitation.

“When we hear anything that’s positive, we want to dismiss it, show others our mistake, and that we didn’t do well. Such thinking gets us caught in the impostor syndrome cycle,” Lisa Orbé-Austin, PhD adds, a licensed psychologist. “We’re losing that relational moment when someone tells us we did a good job.”

While imposter syndrome is nothing new, its prevalence has been especially magnified by today’s workplace culture. As job demands expand and benchmarks shift, many professionals find themselves under moving targets, measuring their work by productivity or comparison to others.

Left unchecked, the constant feelings of imposter syndrome can quietly chip away at mental health and can cause deeper factors like anxiety, depression, or even unresolved trauma. As a result, people stop taking risks or speaking up because of the fear of being exposed.

Despite the complexities, there’s practical steps to overcome feelings of doubt. For leaders, it means creating environments where even the tiniest accomplishments are recognized, and shifting the mindset to a more vulnerable approach.

Hatchett adds, “The way through it is not to chase perfection, but to take small wins seriously, reframe your inner dialogue, and lean on mentors or coaches who can reflect your strengths back to you. I remind people that confidence is built step by step, not overnight. When you stop waiting to feel ready and start acting with the tools you already have, that is when growth really happens.”

At the personal level, combating imposter syndrome starts with noticing the inner critic and challenging its narrative. It involves using defense mechanisms, like keeping a record of achievements, acknowledging progress, and accepting compliments without shutting immediately down.

For what it’s worth, imposter syndrome may feel like it never disappears completely. But if it’s embraced and recognized wholly, one might eventually start to feel the self-trust and confidence once again.

In a society where work is all-too glorified, it’s understandable to lose hope in the one illness that hits us all. Yet, at the end of the day, slowing down and resetting your own value is the best way to move forward. Because the same person who hears I’m not capable can, with practice, change that mentality to I belong here.

So the next time you find yourself under the workplace fear of imposter syndrome, try turning your uncertain emotions into actionable purpose. Chances are, you’ll feel the resilience that’s been there all along.