Facing Imposter Syndrome: How Women Can Own Their Success

Despite years of experience, success, and leadership, many high-achieving women continue grappling with a persistent and nagging question: Do I deserve this? Have I just been lucky? What if everyone finds out I’m not as competent as they think?

I've experienced this myself. Even after building a successful company and leading within the behavioral health industry, there were moments when I felt like I didn’t belong. Walking into boardrooms as one of the few women at the table, I sometimes heard that little voice in my head questioning my worth. I had spent my career helping others find confidence in themselves, yet I wasn’t fully embracing my success.

Imposter syndrome isn’t a reflection of your actual abilities; it’s a reflection of the unrealistic expectations placed on women.

March is National Women’s History Month—a time to celebrate the resilience, brilliance, and achievements of women who have shaped history. While we honor this progress, we must also acknowledge the internal barriers holding many of us back, one of the most common being imposter syndrome.

Why Do Women Struggle with Imposter Syndrome More Than Men?

Imposter syndrome affects both men and women, but research shows that women experience it at much higher rates—especially in leadership. Why?

• Societal Conditioning: Women are often expected to balance competence with likeability and confidence with humility. The impossible nature of these expectations fuels self-doubt.
• Perfectionism: Research indicates that men are more likely to apply for jobs when they meet only minimal qualifications. In contrast, women often hesitate to apply unless they meet 100% of the requirements. This tendency reflects an inclination among women to hold themselves to exceedingly high standards before believing they are qualified enough.?
• Lack of Representation: When you don’t see people who look like you in positions of power, it’s easy to feel like you don’t belong there.

Sound familiar? The good news is you don’t have to let these patterns define you. You can break free.

How to Own Your Success

If you’ve ever felt unworthy of your success, remember that you are not alone and far from an imposter. I invite you to embrace these steps to shift your mindset and step into the confidence that is rightfully yours.

1. Surround Yourself with Support: Imposter syndrome thrives in isolation, while confidence flourishes in the community. Seek out mentors, colleagues, and friends who can remind you of your worth when you forget. A strong support system will challenge your doubts and reinforce your strengths. Remember, you don’t have to navigate this journey alone.

2. Own Your Story: For years, I hesitated to share my nontraditional path—transitioning from lawyer to addiction recovery expert—because I thought it made me “less credible.” However, I realized that my story is my superpower. Your unique experiences, struggles, and perspectives don’t disqualify you; they make you valuable. Stop apologizing for your journey and start embracing it. It’s what sets you apart.

3. Reframe Failure as Growth: Every successful person has experienced failure. The key difference is that they didn’t allow failure to define them. Failure isn’t evidence of being an imposter; it’s proof that you’re learning and evolving. Rather than fearing mistakes, view them as stepping stones toward success. The real failure is letting the fear of making mistakes hold you back.

Imposter syndrome may seem overwhelming, but it does not reflect your abilities. The truth is, you have earned your success. You did not arrive at this point by accident, luck, or mistake. You belong not because you checked every box or followed a perfect path, but because of your resilience, hard work, and unique perspective.

As we celebrate National Women’s History Month, let this serve as a reminder that your voice, your presence, and your leadership matter. The women who came before us didn't wait for permission to step into their power, and neither should you. So, own your story, embrace your growth, and confidently take up space. The world needs more women who believe in themselves because when one of us rises, we all rise.