Three ways women can overcome imposter syndrome
Filled with self doubt at work? You’re not alone but you can ditch it for good…
By Alison Edgar, author and business speaker
Imposter syndrome probably isn’t a new concept for you. In fact, according to a global study by the American Psychological Association, 75% of women in leadership positions have experienced imposter syndrome at some point in their careers.
If you’re unfamiliar with the term, the official definition is ‘the persistent feeling of being a fraud, doubting your accomplishments and fearing being exposed as incompetent, despite clear evidence of success’.
This shows up at work in lots of subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways. It can look like:
Over-preparing for meetings that you’re more than qualified to lead
Downplaying your achievements with “I just got lucky” or “it was a team effort”
Second-guessing decisions after the fact, even when the outcome was positive
Feeling the need to prove yourself again every time you step into a new room, role, or level
If any of this sounds familiar, you’ve probably encountered imposter syndrome at some point in your career.
So how can you make sure you leave it firmly in the dust? Here are three ways to ditch imposter syndrome for good…
Escaping your comfort zone
Our comfort zone can start to feel like a prison, but there’s a reason we stay there. Understanding it helps explain why imposter syndrome exists in the first place.
Comfort zones aren’t about a lack of ambition or confidence. They exist because the brain is designed to keep us safe, not to help us push forward. For women in leadership roles, where scrutiny can feel higher and mistakes less easily forgiven, familiarity can feel like protection.
Even situations that aren’t particularly fulfilling can start to feel “comfortable” if they’re predictable, and that’s why women stay in roles they’ve outgrown, hesitate to speak up in the room, or soften their voice to avoid being judged. Not because they’re incapable, but because the outcome feels known and therefore, to our brain, less risky.
The most important thing to remember is that this reaction is really normal. Your brain and body aren’t trying to sabotage you, they’re doing exactly what they were designed to do. They’re responding to uncertainty by looking for safety.
When you recognise that, imposter syndrome starts to lose its power. Instead of seeing discomfort as a warning sign, you can see it for what it really is: a signal that you’re developing yourself and moving forward.
Build a proof file - and don’t be afraid to ask for help
Imposter syndrome has a habit of rewriting your history. When doubt creeps in, it conveniently blocks out every success, piece of positive feedback, and difficult situation you’ve handled well.
A simple way to counteract this is to build a “proof file”. This doesn’t have to be anything too comprehensive; it can just be a notes app, a folder in your inbox, or a notebook, anywhere you can keep evidence of your capability. Save positive feedback, kind messages, outcomes you’re proud of, and moments where you stepped up, even if they felt a little out of that comfort zone at the time.
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If this feels awkward or difficult to do on your own, you don’t have to. Ask trusted colleagues, mentors, or friends to help you build it. A quick question like, “What do you think I do well?” or “When have you seen me handle something particularly well?” can give you a perspective you don’t always have on yourself.
I know this can feel a little icky at first, especially as women, because research shows we tend to underestimate our own abilities, even when the evidence says otherwise. But speaking from experience, this can really help to garner the confidence you need when stepping into the unknown.
Disrupt your thought pattern
One of the reasons imposter syndrome is so persistent is that it operates below the surface. People are like icebergs, we only ever see the tip, there’s a whole lot going on underneath. Imposter syndrome rarely announces itself as fear or insecurity. More often, it begins as a thought which is subtle, reasonable-sounding, and easy to believe.
A passing assumption like, “I should know this by now” or “Others are more qualified than I am” can quickly influence how we feel: a tightening in the chest, a sense of hesitation, a moment of doubt. Those feelings then shape behaviour. We hold back, can soften our language, or decide not to speak up at all.
What’s important to recognise is that this doesn’t reflect reality; it reflects perception and interpretation. The situation hasn’t changed, only the story we’ve told ourselves about it.
Crucially, behaviour doesn’t have to wait for confidence. When women continue to act despite uncertainty — by contributing to the discussion, making the decision, or staying visible — the internal response often follows. The brain updates its understanding of what is safe and familiar, and the emotional charge associated with it reduces over time.
This is why imposter syndrome isn’t best understood as a lack of confidence, but as a learned pattern of thinking and responding. And like any pattern, once it’s made visible, it can be interrupted and reshaped.
So, I challenge you today to recognise the thought pattern, and disrupt it with something different:
Rather than “If I don’t have the answer immediately, I’ll lose credibility,” think “Credibility comes from sound judgement, not knowing everything.”
Rather than “I can’t let people see uncertainty,” think “It’s possible to be decisive and still learning.”
Rather than “If I ask a question, it’ll expose a gap,” think “Asking questions is part of leading well.”
Rather than “One wrong decision will define me,” think “Leadership is built over time.”
Rather than “Everyone else seems more confident than I am,” think “Confidence looks different on different people. We are all icebergs.”
Imposter syndrome doesn’t disappear overnight, and it certainly doesn’t vanish just because you reach a certain level in your career. What does change, though, is how much power you give it.
When you understand why your brain reacts the way it does, when you have evidence to ground yourself, and when you learn to notice and challenge the thoughts that quietly shape your behaviour, imposter syndrome stops being something that controls you in the background. It becomes something you recognise and manage.
Discomfort is NOT a sign you don’t belong. More often than not, it’s a sign you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.
Dr Alison Edgar MBE - Business speaker, author, and thought leader www.alisonedgar.com
