Have you ever walked into a room—maybe a boardroom, a stage, or even a coffee chat with a colleague—and thought, Any minute now, they’re going to figure out I have no idea what I’m doing?
Yeah, me too.
In fact, last Thursday, I attended the Montreal International Women’s Day Breakfast, where I was honored alongside other incredible Montreal women—each shining in their own unique ways. But I have to be honest: as I sat in that room of 500 powerhouse women, a familiar voice crept in… Do I really belong here?
It doesn’t matter how many years I’ve been coaching, speaking, or writing—I’ve had moments where I’ve questioned whether I really belong. The irony? I coach people through this very thing all the time! Imposter syndrome doesn’t care how successful you are, how many accolades you’ve collected, or how qualified you are on paper. It whispers, You got lucky. You don’t deserve this. Someone else is more capable.
What Is Imposter Syndrome?
First identified in 1978 by psychologists Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes, imposter syndrome refers to the internal belief that you’re not as competent as others perceive you to be. It’s that nagging feeling that your achievements are a fluke and that, sooner or later, you’ll be exposed as a fraud.
And here’s the kicker: imposter syndrome isn’t just a “you” problem. Research suggests that over 70% of people experience it at some point in their lives. Yes, even the CEOs, the bestselling authors, and the world-class athletes.
How It Shows Up (Even When You Think You’ve Conquered It)
A few years ago, I was invited to give a keynote to a room full of high-powered executives. I prepped, I practiced, I knew my material inside and out. And yet, the night before, I sat in my hotel room thinking, What if they already know everything I’m going to say? What if I’m just repeating what they’ve heard before?
Sound familiar?
In fact, I’m speaking tomorrow to 300 Canadians across Canada, a gig I’m so excited about, and I’m STILL thinking these things right now.
Imposter syndrome doesn’t always look like insecurity. It can look like:
- Overworking (If I work extra hard, no one will notice I’m not as good as they think.)
- Perfectionism (If it’s not flawless, people will see I’m not really talented.)
- Avoiding opportunities (I won’t even apply, because I’ll just embarrass myself.)
- Attributing success to luck (I was just in the right place at the right time.)
Why We Struggle With It
For many of us—especially high achievers—our identity is wrapped up in what we do. We set the bar high, and when we reach it, we raise it again. Instead of celebrating our wins, we assume we just got lucky or that someone will eventually figure out we’re winging it… or worse, TAKE IT ALL AWAY FROM US.
And let’s be real: social media makes this so much worse. It’s easy to scroll through LinkedIn or Instagram and think everyone else has it all figured out. (Spoiler: They don’t.)
How to Move Through It
I won’t say “overcome” imposter syndrome because, truthfully, it never fully disappears. But you can absolutely quiet the voice that tells you you’re not good enough.
How?
1. Rewrite Your Inner Script
Start recognizing the lies you tell yourself. Instead of thinking, I don’t belong here, reframe it: I’ve worked hard to be here, and I bring something valuable to the table.
2. Collect the Evidence
One of my favorite confidence hacks is keeping a “win file.” Anytime someone sends you a thank you email, a compliment, or a success story about your work, save it. When self-doubt creeps in, read through it. It’s hard to argue with proof.
3. Talk About It
Some of the most successful people I know have confided in me that they still battle imposter syndrome. When you realize you’re not alone, it loses some of its power.
4. Accept That Growth Feels Uncomfortable
Feeling like an imposter often means you’re stretching yourself. If you were truly out of your league, you wouldn’t even be in the room. Instead of letting fear paralyze you, see it as proof that you’re leveling up.
You Are Not a Fraud
If you’ve ever doubted yourself, let me remind you: You are not here by accident. You didn’t get lucky. You worked for this. You earned this. And you deserve to own every bit of it.
So the next time that little voice tells you you’re not good enough, talk back. Because you? You are exactly where you’re meant to be.
