Imposter Syndrome: How to Turn Self-Doubt Into Growth

A quick reality check: you’re not alone

Imposter feelings are far more common than most people admit.

Research shows that:

• 71% of CEOs report experiencing imposter syndrome at some point,

• It’s especially common among high performers in fast-growing organisations,

• Gen Z and Millennials report it more frequently – not because they’re less capable, but because they’re navigating rapid change, constant visibility, and comparison at scale.

In other words: imposter syndrome is rarely about incompetence. More often, it’s a by-product of ambition, responsibility, and growth.

The outdated myth: “If I were truly capable, I wouldn’t feel this way”

One of the most damaging beliefs I see in coaching is this:

“If I were really good enough, I’d feel confident.”

But confidence is not the absence of doubt.

In fact, imposter feelings are often situational. They often show up during moments of change when you are:

• stepping into a new role,

• entering unfamiliar territory,

• raising your own standards,

• being surrounded by people you admire.

Seen this way, imposter syndrome isn’t a sign that you don’t belong.
More often, it’s a sign that you’re growing – operating right at the edge of who you’ve been so far.

Growth rarely feels like certainty. It often feels like exposure.

When imposter syndrome becomes fuel (not friction)

Here’s the part that rarely gets discussed.

In moderate doses, imposter feelings can actually:

• sharpen your self-awareness,

• encourage your preparation and learning,

• foster humility and curiosity,

• increase your empathy and collaboration.

Let’s come back to my conversation with Lucy, the client I mentioned earlier.
Instead of trying to “delete” the feeling, we got curious about it.

What was it protecting?
What was it asking her to develop?
Where did she genuinely need support – and where was she discounting her competence?

Over time, the narrative shifted from:

“I don’t belong here.”

to

“I’m growing into this.”

After this, her performance didn’t change dramatically. Her relationship to the discomfort did.

And that made all the difference.

When it turns toxic

Imposter feelings can become harmful when they stop being occasional and start feeling like part of who you are. This often happens in environments where support is limited, expectations are unclear, or mistakes are treated as failures instead of chances to learn.

Perfectionism can make it even harder to speak up or show uncertainty.

At that point, imposter syndrome stops being a signal of growth and starts becoming a source of ongoing stress – feeding burnout, anxiety, and self-sabotage.

The feeling itself isn’t always the real enemy.
More often, it’s the silence around it, and the sense you have to face it alone, that makes it heavy.

Try to reframe: from “I don’t belong” to “I’m still becoming”

Instead of asking:

“How do I get rid of imposter syndrome?”

Try asking:

“What is this feeling inviting me to develop?”

Some useful reframes:

• “I don’t know everything.” → I’m in a learning phase.

• “They’ll find me out.” → Feeling unsure doesn’t mean I’m unqualified.

• “I’m not ready.” → I’m expanding my capacity.

This isn’t about ignoring self-doubt or pushing through exhaustion.

It’s about listening to your thoughts – without letting them drive the car.

It’s not just about mindset

One of the most important shifts in recent research is this: Imposter syndrome is not purely individual. Culture matters.

When:

• feedback is vague,

• success is narrowly defined,

• representation is limited,

• mistakes are punished,

• comparison is constant,

Imposter feelings intensify.

Sometimes you don’t need more confidence.
You need clearer expectations.
Better feedback.
Healthier leadership.
More psychological safety.

That’s not weakness.
That’s context.

A healthier relationship with imposter syndrome

The goal isn’t to eradicate imposter syndrome forever.

The goal is to:

• recognise it without shame

• understand your triggers

• use it as information, not identity

• refuse to let it shrink your ambitions

Because here’s what I’ve noticed over years of coaching people:

Imposter syndrome often appears right before a growth edge.

And growth, by definition, feels unfamiliar.

A final thought

If you’ve ever thought:

“Everyone else seems so confident. Why am I the only one doubting myself?”

You’re not behind.
You’re not broken.
You’re not an imposter.

You may simply be evolving faster than your self-concept can keep up.

And that tension?

It might not be your enemy at all. It might be evidence that you’re becoming.