Have you ever felt like a fraud?
How to conquer imposter syndrome in your career.
I’ve been in the game for over 50 years. I did a decade in the military, another in the civil service, and for the last 27 years, I’ve been running my own company.
I’ve sat in tense boardrooms, pitched high-stakes government contracts, and navigated the choppy waters of entrepreneurship.
I’ve seen trends come and go, and technologies rise and fall. But one thing has remained stubbornly consistent: that quiet, nagging voice in the back of your head that whispers, “When are they going to figure out you don’t belong here?”
If you’ve ever felt that way, I want you to know you’re not alone. It’s called imposter syndrome, and it’s practically an epidemic in the modern workplace.
It’s that sinking feeling that your accomplishments are just a string of good luck, and any minute now, you’ll be exposed as a fraud.
In this post, I’m going to pull back the curtain on this all-too-common phenomenon. We’ll explore what it is, why it happens, and most importantly, I’ll share some battle-tested strategies and tools to help you finally feel as competent as you truly are.
What is this “imposter syndrome” anyway?
Let’s get one thing straight: imposter syndrome isn’t about being an actual fraud. It’s the persistent, internal feeling of being one, despite all evidence to the contrary.
And why is it so rampant in the business world today? The modern workplace is a perfect breeding ground. The pace of change in every industry is relentless, making it feel like you’re always one step behind.
There’s a constant pressure to be a visionary leader, a disruptive innovator, or a “unicorn” entrepreneur.
For those of us running our own show or in leadership positions, the work can be isolating, leaving us alone with our doubts.
It’s like you’ve trained for a marathon, run the race, and are standing at the finish line with a medal around your neck, but you’re convinced you cheated, even though you have the scraped knees and sore muscles to prove you did the work. Sound familiar?
The inner game: Understanding the “why” behind the feel
To beat the enemy, you have to know the enemy. And the enemy here is your own thought process. Much of this comes down to a few cognitive traps that high-achievers, in particular, tend to fall into.
First is the confusion of Fact vs. Feeling. Our brains can get stuck in a loop of negative self-talk where our anxious feelings are mistaken for cold, hard facts. The feeling of not being good enough becomes the “truth” that you aren’t good enough.
Second is The Perfectionist Trap. Many of us set impossibly high standards for ourselves. When we inevitably fall short of “perfect” — because perfect doesn’t exist — we see it as a catastrophic failure, rather than a normal part of growth and business.
Finally, there’s The “Expert” Myth. This is the belief that you must know everything about a subject before you can claim any expertise or make a decision.
As a business owner, you’re expected to know about finance, marketing, operations, and HR. It’s impossible to be a master of all, but imposter syndrome tells you that you should be.
The key is to start catching these negative thoughts and actively reframing them. For example, when you catch yourself thinking, “I just got lucky with that big client,” stop.
Reframe it with the facts: “My team’s hard work, my strategic approach, and our excellent proposal are what secured that client.”
Your personal toolkit for slaying the imposter dragon
Enough talk. Let’s get to the action. You can’t just think your way out of this; you have to build a case against that fraudulent inner voice.
1. Build your evidence locker.
I call this a “Hype Doc” or an “Evidence Log.” It’s a simple document where you keep a running list of your wins. What goes in it? Compliments from clients or colleagues in emails.
Successful project outcomes. Positive performance reviews. Notes on a tough negotiation you handled well. The time you solved a problem that had everyone else stumped.
Why does this work? Because when your feelings are telling you you’re a fraud, you can open this file and look at the cold, hard, undeniable proof that you are not.
2. Become a “fact vs. feeling” detective.
This is a simple but powerful exercise. The next time a wave of inadequacy hits, grab a piece of paper and draw a line down the middle.
- On the left side, write the Feeling: “I feel like I’m going to completely bomb this quarterly review with the board.”
- On the right side, write the Facts: “We hit 90% of our KPIs. I have a clear, data-backed explanation for the 10% we missed. I’ve prepared my slides and practiced the presentation three times. I am ready.”
- Seeing the facts laid out next to the feeling robs the feeling of its power.
3. Conquer the meeting room.
For many, meetings are a primary trigger for imposter syndrome. The pressure to sound smart can be paralyzing. Try these small, tactical moves:
- Prepare one question in advance. This takes the pressure off having to think of something brilliant on the spot.
- Script your opening sentence. If you have to present, just knowing how you’ll start can calm your nerves.
- Set a goal to speak up at least once. It doesn’t have to be a groundbreaking insight. A simple, “I agree with that point, and I think it also applies to…” is enough to break the silence and build your confidence.
You are not an island
For years, I thought I was the only one who felt this way. The single most powerful thing you can do is talk about it. Find a trusted mentor, a peer, or join a business advisory group.
When you share your struggles, two things happen.
First, you realize you’re not alone, which instantly cuts the feeling down to size. Second, you make it easier for the next person to feel like they belong. Vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness, in leadership.
You belong here
After five decades in the trenches of business, I can tell you one thing for certain: you are more capable than you think. You wouldn’t be where you are if you weren’t. That critical inner voice is a liar. You have earned your place.
Now it’s time to own it.
If you’re ready to dig deeper and build a system for overcoming these feelings for good, I’ve developed a few resources based on these strategies. As a start, you can grab my free 5 Mantras to Beat Imposter Syndrome poster — a simple, powerful reminder of your value to keep at your desk. For a more structured approach, check out The “I Belong Here” Mindset Manual or the comprehensive Imposter Syndrome Slayer’s Toolkit.
Check out my Gumroad store richbrown.gumroad.com
Created with the assistance of AI Tools
