What it really is

Imposter Syndrome isn’t a flaw—it’s a normal human experience of self-doubt. It shows up as feeling like a fraud, questioning your success, or believing you need to be someone else to belong or succeed.

Who experiences it

It affects everyone—men and women, leaders and newcomers alike. 70% (or more) will feel it during their careers, especially during transitions, promotions, or leadership roles.

Common signs include:

• Struggling to accept praise.
• Overpreparing, procrastinating, or being a perfectionist.
• Holding back from speaking up or taking opportunities.
• Feeling undeserving or “just lucky”.
• Comparing yourself constantly.

Key insights

• You are not your thoughts – thoughts come and go, they don’t define you.
• It’s not a problem to fix – it’s something to understand and move through.
• Support matters – talking about it and getting coaching can make a real difference.
• Reframe your thoughts – what if you are the right person for the job?

Practical strategies

• Name your inner critic (e.g., “That’s just Angie talking”)
• Flip negative thoughts and build evidence for the positive.
• Reflect: What if it’s okay to feel like this sometimes?
• Make a personal commitment to respond with kindness, not criticism.
• Talk about it—vulnerability builds strength and safety in teams.

Want to go deeper?

Explore the full guide to understand how imposter thoughts show up in real life, learn from personal case studies, and discover empowering tools to reclaim your confidence.