Feeling like an imposter in your leadership role?

Spotting imposter syndrome—like downplaying your success or fearing exposure as a fraud—is the first step to overcoming it. Recognize these feelings as common, and remind yourself they don’t reflect your true capabilities. For example, if you achieve a major project success but feel you only got lucky, remind yourself of your hard work and skills.

Imposter syndrome can manifest in various ways. Be aware of persistent self-doubt, where you constantly question your capabilities despite evidence of success. Notice if you attribute your achievements to luck or external factors rather than your skills and effort. Pay attention to feelings of anxiety or fear that you'll be "found out" as a fraud. Watch for tendencies to overwork or set excessively high standards as a way to compensate for perceived inadequacies. Recognize if you frequently compare yourself to others and feel you fall short.

It’s a common feeling, especially when you're stepping into new responsibilities or facing challenges. Here are a few tips to manage imposter syndrome: Track Achievements: Remind yourself of your successes. Seek Feedback: Get input from others to gauge your performance. Set Goals: Break tasks into smaller, manageable steps. Keep Learning: Enhance your skills and knowledge. Talk About It: Share your feelings with trusted colleagues. Remember, many leaders experience these feelings, and they don’t define your capability or potential.

Imposter syndrome is a psychological pattern whereby someone feels like they are not good enough despite evidence to the contrary. It is a disconnect between your actual accomplishments and how you feel about them. You may feel like someone is going to tap you on the shoulder at any moment and call you out as a fraud. It’s not real but it feels real. There is cognitive dissonance so even when someone shows you reality you may not believe it. You may feel like you were just lucky. Maladaptive comparison, playing small and self-sabotage are your day-to-day reality. Nothing you do ever feels good enough because you don’t feel good enough… But the imposter is a liar. You are good enough, worthy and deserving.

Imposter syndrome often stems from various root causes. Examine your past experiences—early academic pressures or family expectations can contribute to self-doubt. Cultural factors and societal norms might also play a role, especially if you belong to an underrepresented group in leadership. Consider personality traits such as perfectionism or a tendency toward self-critical thinking. High-achieving work environments may exacerbate these feelings, making you question your worth. Understanding these underlying causes can help you address them more effectively, paving the way for a more confident and self-assured leadership experience.

The causes of imposter syndrome can vary person to person but early childhood is usually a good place to find the root cause. It doesn’t necessarily mean someone has had a difficult upbringing or that there was drama or trauma, but young minds give meaning to experiences that shape their beliefs about themselves and the world. They do this purely through emotion. Negative emotions become suppressed as a wounded inner child that didn’t get something they needed like love, nurturing or understanding, or got something they shouldn’t have such as abuse, neglect or lack of understanding becomes detached and makes itself know through negative thought patterns and self-sabotaging behaviors.

Building confidence is key to overcoming imposter syndrome. Focus on your achievements and skills, and reflect on positive feedback to reinforce your value as a leader and trust in your decision-making.

Start by acknowledging your achievements and reminding yourself of your skills and qualifications. Keep a success journal where you note accolades, positive feedback, and milestones reached. Set realistic, incremental goals and celebrate small victories to build momentum. Seek mentorship or join peer support groups to gain perspective and receive constructive feedback. Engage in continuous learning to bolster your expertise and boost your self-assurance. Practice self-compassion and remind yourself that everyone makes mistakes and has room for growth. By actively working on these strategies, you can gradually build the confidence needed to thrive in your leadership role.

Don’t navigate imposter syndrome alone. Seek out mentors or trusted colleagues who can provide guidance and perspective on your capabilities. Join professional networks or leadership forums to connect with others who may share similar experiences. Consider discussing your feelings with a coach or therapist who can offer strategies to build confidence and overcome self-doubt. Encourage an open dialogue within your organization about imposter syndrome to normalize the experience and foster a supportive environment. By actively seeking support, you create a network of resources that can help you address imposter syndrome and reinforce your confidence in your leadership abilities.

Individuals with impostor syndrome can greatly benefit from the support of coaches and mentors. These professionals provide valuable guidance, helping individuals recognize and challenge their self-doubt and negative self-perceptions. Through personalized strategies and encouragement, coaches and mentors assist in building confidence, reinforcing strengths, and fostering a positive mindset. This supportive relationship enables individuals to overcome their fears, embrace their accomplishments, and realize their full potential.

Cognitive reframing is a powerful technique. We have the power to choose our thoughts but to do so requires awareness. Thoughts can become patterned and unconscious just like behaviors or beliefs for that matter. To reframe a thought, first bring to unconscious conscious. Writ your thoughts down so you are hyper-aware and then choose a new thought. To re-pattern thoughts requires practice and commitment. Remember, they’ve become patterned so you are resetting them. Say them out loud in the positive tense. Try looking in a mirror and saying them to yourself. Practice until the positive thought is the one on autopilot!

The mind is like a parachute - it only works if it is open! Growth means reaching outside of your comfort zone. Growth means having a beginner’s mindset- always learning. Growth means remembering that mistakes are simply missed takes and we iterate to great. And growth means falling down and seeing it as inevitable in the journey. Not bad - just part of the process and how we learn.