Rethinking the Imposter Syndrome

You’re Not an Imposter, You’re Evolving

Every time I hear the word “imposter,” I can’t help but feel my heart sink.

It’s a deflating and pretty harsh word to my ears. It almost feels like the person using it is excusing themselves for being a normal human, spiraling in doubt, in that moment.

And, let’s be honest, it’s semantically loaded. It comes with this heavy sense that we’re somehow faking it, pretending to be something we’re not. But is that really what’s happening?

Are we really imposters—or are we just people learning and growing, trying to find our footing as we navigate new challenges?

I'm in favour of ditching the term Imposter Syndrome and reframing what’s really going on. Maybe it’s time to let the world see your humanness, especially if you are new to a leadership role. Maybe it’s time to be yourself.

The Crushing Weight of Words

The word “imposter” implies we’re doing something wrong— and at any moment, someone will expose us. But most of the time, that’s not the case at all.

We’re figuring things out as we go, learning new skills, and stepping into roles that challenge us. And isn’t that what growth is all about?

Stepping up to a New Challenge

We often feel like this when we step into new or challenging roles—whether it’s a promotion at work, leading a high-stakes project, or navigating uncharted territory in our careers. These moments of growth can trigger self-doubt, making us question whether we truly belong or are capable. It’s especially common when we compare ourselves to others or hold ourselves to impossibly high standards, feeling as though we don’t measure up. But in reality, it’s these very challenges that are a sign of progress, not proof that we don’t deserve to be where we are.

The Scary Job Description

Have you ever read that job description and thought, "Is this for a human or some kind of super-human performer?" They’re always terrifyingly aspirational, aren't they? You glance at the requirements and immediately feel your stomach drop and wonder what kind of 1% elite top performers am I joining here? If there is a job like this one (made up) you've seen, do share.

“Must be a strategic visionary with 10 years of experience, world-class leadership skills, knowledge of six languages, financial markets, and an advanced degree in computational analytics and an MA in Psychology.”

Naturally, you apply anyway, thinking, "How hard can it be?"

The Imposter Police

Then, you land the job, and the first few weeks are spent quietly waiting for someone to tap you on the shoulder and say, "We’ve made a mistake."

You’re certain they’ll figure out you’re not that super-human, and you’ll be escorted from the building at any moment. That's where this thinking creeps in the most. But then something doesn't happens—you don’t get caught out. Instead, you slowly start to realise, “Wait a minute, nobody expects me to know everything on Day One.”

Turns out, you’re supposed to grow into the role! The real job isn’t living up to some impossible standard—it’s learning at a reasonable pace.

That’s when you step off the anxiety pedal and give yourself some breathing room.

When Do We Feel Enough?

Here’s something that many of us struggle with: at what point do we finally decide we’re enough? When do we stop waiting for someone else to tell us we’ve made it and just own that feeling ourselves? It’s not about external validation. It’s about trusting that we’re already enough—right now. There’s no need to reach some elusive milestone to prove that we belong.

Maybe it’s about letting go of that impossible standard. We’re not supposed to have it all figured out right away.

That’s what life, work, and leadership are all about—constant evolution, steady growth, and continuous learning.

A Kinder Self-Reflection

It’s easy to focus on where we think we fall short, but what if we shifted our focus to what we’ve already done?

Take a moment and ask: What am I good at? Where do I naturally shine? And equally important, what are the things I can happily leave to others?

I am very good a leaving things to other, because I want them to shine and I probably don't love doing it. We don’t need to be great at everything. We’re allowed to specialize in what makes us come alive.

By being honest about our strengths and the areas where we feel most confident, we can start to see that we don’t need to carry the burden of calling ourselves an "imposter."

Being Yourself Is the Goal

Let’s park the "Imposter Syndrome" label and practice Being You and letting your humanness and vulnerability be out there for people to witness.

Being yourself means showing up as you are, embracing both your strengths and imperfections, and allowing yourself to improve over time.

We don’t need to fake anything. We just need to be who we are, right now. So, let’s ditch loaded language and focus on authenticity. You’re exactly where you’re meant to be, learning and growing, just like everyone else.

Final Thought: Take Time Out to Coach Yourself

It’s natural to push ourselves to achieve more and strive for the next milestone. But sometimes, it’s helpful to take a moment to coach yourself.

Reflect on your strengths, your growth, and the challenges you’ve already overcome. What are you truly proud of? Where have you shown resilience? What's great about your work that you haven't noticed?

This isn’t about perfection or what you still need to do. Give yourself some credit. By taking this time to reflect, you can find clarity, confidence, and perhaps realize that you’re already more than enough for those scary job titles. I invite you to save yourself from this "stinking thinking." There are better ways to run your brain. You can read about that here.

Do post your most terrifying, intimidating job description you can find, for an opportunity to enjoy a complimentary coaching session.

Thanks for reading, if you got this far!

Happy Friday!

Shiera

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