"I have written 11 books, but each time I think, ‘Uh oh, they’re going to find out now. I’ve run a game on everybody, and they’re going to find me out.’" — Maya Angelou
If Maya Angelou, one of the greatest writers of our time, felt like a fraud, then it’s safe to say imposter syndrome doesn’t discriminate.
It sneaks up , children to CEOs, entrepreneurs, creatives, and leaders juggling careers, families, and their own expectations.
The problem? Too many of us believe myths about imposter syndrome that keep us stuck in self-doubt.
In fact I have issue with the title Syndrome – it sounds incurable . It’s not
Let’s break these five myths down.
Myth 1: If You Feel Like an Imposter, You Lack Confidence
Many successful people think, If I feel like a fraud, I must not be good enough. But imposter syndrome doesn’t mean you’re not confident—it means you hold yourself to sometimes impossibly high standards.
Leaders often question their abilities because they’re aware of how much they don’t know. The real issue isn’t confidence—it’s the habit of underestimating your experience, wisdom, and impact.
💡 Reframe: Confidence isn’t about never doubting yourself. It’s about taking action even when you do. It’s about knowing that whatever happens you’ll learn from it.
Myth 2: If You Work Harder, It Will Go Away
No! You tell yourself, One more degree, one more promotion, one more late night, and I’ll be good enough or I’ll finally feel like I deserve my success. Imposter syndrome doesn’t disappear when you achieve more. (in fact in my experience and from what I hear from my clients, exactly the opposite is true)
Many women have spent years proving themselves in careers, yet still feel like they’re one mistake away from being “found out.” My most accomplished, exceptionally skilled and respected manager used to often say, “I sometimes wonder when I’ll be found out”
Perimenopause only heightens that feeling. Brain fog, means we feel we need to work so much harder just to standstill.
The truth? No amount of external success can fix an internal belief that you’re not enough.
💡 Reframe: Instead of working harder to prove your worth, work on believing you’re already worthy.
Myth 3: It's a woman thing
Well, its not! The original study that coined the term Imposter Syndrome studied women, but its common in men too. From my experience of working with male leaders, there is often a cloud of shame associated with admitting to Imposter thoughts.
A 2019 Harvard Business Review article, “Stop Telling Women They Have Imposter Syndrome,” found that men and women experience imposter syndrome at similar rates, but women talk about it more and seek help more often. The rates seem to depend on context and role – Fortune reports data from a study by Korn Ferry, 62% of men report feeling imposter syndrome at work, compared to just 46% of women.
💡 Reframe: Imposter syndrome isn’t about gender—it’s about environment and conditioning. If you’re feeling like a fraud, it might not be you—it might be the system you’re in.
Myth 4: Your Work Environment Has Nothing to Do With It
Many women blame themselves for their self-doubt, but workplaces can fuel imposter syndrome.
- Are you constantly interrupted or talked over in meetings?
- Do colleagues take credit for your ideas?
- Are your contributions overlooked?
- Do you feel pressure to prove you deserve your leadership role?
A toxic or unsupportive work culture can reinforce the idea that you don’t belong—even when you absolutely do.
A 2020 KPMG study found that 75% of female executives have experienced imposter syndrome at some point in their careers. Many reported feeling pressure to work harder than their male colleagues to prove their competence, particularly in male-dominated industries. The reality? Women are often made to feel like imposters by workplace dynamics, not because they lack ability.
💡 Reframe: If your imposter is thriving, ask: Is it me? Is the environment I work in undermining my confidence?
Myth 5: Its in your head
Well it is and it isn’t.
Yes, imposter syndrome is an internal experience, but it hasn’t come from nowhere.
👉 Maybe your parents expected perfection, so you learned to doubt yourself.
👉Was the way to survive school to make sure you were perfect (or at least pretended to be!)
👉 Maybe your workplace subtly (or not so subtly) undervalues women.
👉 Maybe society still tells women to be humble, while celebrating men for confidence.
👉 Are you / have you been in a relationship in which you were reminded you didn’t belong?
Recognising these influences helps you separate your true voice from the self-doubt planted in you over the years.
💡 Reframe: You weren’t born doubting yourself. It’s something you learned. And you can unlearn it.
