The Surprising Truth About Imposter Syndrome

If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking, “I don’t belong here,” or felt just one slip-up away from being exposed as a fraud, you’re hardly alone. That knot-in-the-stomach anxiety? It’s so common it has a name: imposter syndrome. But here’s the twist nobody told us when we were just starting out—feeling like an imposter doesn’t mean you’re failing. More often, it means you’re paying attention. You’re awake to the complexity, responsibility, and growth happening right in front of you.

For years, imposter syndrome has been painted as a sign of weakness, or as proof someone isn’t up to the challenge. But in my experience—after years of working alongside professionals across industries—that old story is incomplete. The reality? Imposter feelings show up most often among high performers: people who are learning, stretching, and pushing their boundaries. These doubts aren’t warnings that you’re falling short. If anything, they’re signs of self-awareness and genuine growth.

One mental model I keep returning to is the ‘conscious competence’ framework. As we grow, we move from not knowing what we don’t know (unconscious incompetence) to seeing our knowledge gaps in sharp relief (conscious incompetence). That’s usually when imposter syndrome sneaks in—not because we’re unqualified, but because our awareness is finally catching up with our abilities.

So why does feeling like an imposter sometimes signal that you’re exactly where you need to be? And what can you actually do when doubt shows up for the ride?

My Journey: From Doubt to Discovery

And it’s not just a tech thing. Newly minted professors often feel lost despite years of research and teaching (HigherEdJobs). Every time you step into a new role or tackle a bigger challenge, self-doubt seems to tag along for the ride as you recalibrate your sense of competence.

Why High Performers Feel Like Frauds

Here’s the paradox at the heart of imposter syndrome: The more you know, the more aware you become of how much you don’t know. This is especially true for high achievers—the folks constantly leaning into new challenges and unfamiliar territory. Rather than blissful ignorance (what psychologists call the Dunning-Kruger effect), self-aware leaders see their knowledge gaps more clearly than ever.

That kind of awareness is a double-edged sword. On one side, it keeps you curious, humble, and open-minded—the raw ingredients for real growth and innovation. But it can also leave you feeling perpetually behind, fixated on all there is left to master rather than how far you’ve come.

Imposter syndrome is about perception—not reality. High performers often set impossibly high standards for themselves and compare their private doubts to everyone else’s polished exteriors.

It’s easy to forget that nearly everyone wrestles with uncertainty from time to time.

There’s even a name for this: the spotlight effect. It’s a cognitive bias where we overestimate how much others notice our mistakes or shortcomings. So when self-doubt flares up, we assume everyone else sees it too—which only intensifies those imposter feelings.

To add some perspective: Dunning and Kruger found that people with high competence tend to have more realistic (even modest) views of their abilities—and may underestimate themselves compared to others. Top performers know they’re good—but they’re not always sure how good and sometimes assume everyone else knows just as much. This underconfidence can stoke imposter syndrome—the mirror image of Dunning-Kruger overconfidence (Verywell Mind).

It helps to remember: imposter syndrome isn’t a medical diagnosis. There aren’t clinical treatments (Lena Reinhard points out). That alone can remind us these feelings are part of being human—not proof we’re failing.

Practical Strategies to Overcome Imposter Syndrome

What do you do when imposter feelings threaten to hold you back?

Here are five practical strategies you can try next time your inner critic pipes up:

1. Redefine Expertise

   Expertise isn’t about having every answer—it’s about knowing how to find them when it counts. In technical or leadership roles especially, things change fast; nobody keeps up with everything. True experts are resourceful; they ask questions, admit what they don’t know, and move forward anyway.

   That willingness to keep learning is echoed in ideas about breaking out of your bubble—stepping beyond your comfort zone fosters self-awareness and authentic leadership.

2. Ask the ‘Experts’

   The people you look up to? Trust me—they Google things too. They double-check assumptions and consult peers behind the scenes. No one has it all figured out—not even those at the top. Seeking advice or collaboration isn’t incompetence; it’s professionalism and humility in action.

   It can be easy to forget this when all you see are others’ highlight reels rather than their behind-the-scenes struggles. Just remember: You’re not behind—you’re just seeing the highlight reel.

3. Keep a “Brag File”

   Imposter syndrome has a sneaky way of erasing our wins from memory. Try keeping a running list of your accomplishments—big or small. Solved a tricky problem? Led a successful meeting? Got positive feedback? Jot it down somewhere safe. On rough days, flipping through your “brag file” can remind you how far you’ve actually come.

   This simple act is part of resetting your mindset after setbacks—similar to how resetting after a missed day helps you refocus and keep moving forward.

4. Ship Before You Feel Ready

   Perfectionism and self-doubt often go hand in hand—and if you wait until every detail is perfect or every scenario accounted for, nothing ever ships. In my experience, real growth happens when you take action—even before you feel totally ready. Each attempt teaches you something new and builds confidence over time.

   Progress rarely comes from one giant leap—it’s built on small steps taken despite uncertainty. Even big breakthroughs require small steps.

5. Rewire Your Self-Talk

   Notice the stories running through your mind when doubt creeps in. Instead of “I don’t know enough,” try “No one does—but I know how to figure things out.” Instead of “I just got lucky,” remind yourself: “Luck doesn’t create consistent success.”

   Changing self-talk isn’t about ignoring real challenges—it’s about giving yourself credit for facing them with curiosity and grit.

Embracing Growth Before You Feel Ready

Here’s what most people miss: Almost everyone who grows—who stretches into new roles or leads through uncertainty—does so before they feel fully prepared. That discomfort? It’s not evidence that you don’t belong; it’s proof your comfort zone is expanding.

Let me pause here and ask: What have you accomplished before feeling “ready”? How many times have you shown up and delivered results despite nagging doubts? Those aren’t flukes—they’re patterns shared by high achievers everywhere.

It’s worth noting that research shows women are especially likely to hold back from applying for roles unless they meet 100 percent of qualifications; men often throw their hat in the ring with just 60 percent (Built In). Self-doubt keeps even highly qualified folks from seizing opportunities—while others grow by taking imperfect action.

Self-doubt doesn’t disqualify you from success—it’s often part of the journey itself. When we recognize imposter syndrome as a sign of ambition and self-awareness—not evidence we don’t belong—we can stop letting it hold us back.

Lena Reinhard offers an important reframe: “We don’t have an issue with imposter syndrome; we have an issue with overconfident incompetence… As leaders who may experience imposter syndrome ourselves, we need to redefine what leadership means… We need to look directly at systems of bias rather than falsely pathologizing individuals.”

Research into stretch assignments — projects that push us beyond our current abilities — shows these are key drivers of accelerated professional growth. Embracing challenges before feeling fully prepared is actually a hallmark of adaptive leaders.

If overthinking sometimes holds you back at this stage, consider how overthinking can be a strength—if you know when to stop.

So next time familiar doubts start whispering in your ear, remember this: You’re not alone—and you’re not an imposter. You’re simply paying attention, and that’s where real growth begins.

Ultimately, experiencing imposter syndrome signals that you care deeply about your work and your growth. By seeing doubt as a companion rather than a barrier, you open yourself up to new possibilities—and remind yourself that meaningful progress almost always starts with one uncertain step forward.