You’re More Qualified Than You Think

Let’s get one thing straight: if you’ve just stepped into a new role – especially a leadership role – it’s completely normal to feel a bit wobbly. Most people do. But when that wobble turns into second-guessing everything, worrying you’re about to be “found out”, or convincing yourself you’re not actually good enough for the job… that’s not just nerves. That’s imposter syndrome. And it’s exhausting.

Because on the outside, you’re doing the job. You’re showing up, learning and getting stuck in. But inside it feels like everyone else knows what they’re doing while you’re just winging it. You mentally start to downplay or ‘forget’ your achievements, brush off compliments from co-workers and assume that your success was mostly down to luck.

It’s not. 

You were hired for a reason. You earned this. And it’s time you start believing it.

What Is Imposter Syndrome?

Imposter syndrome is defined as ‘the frequent feeling that your achievements are not real or that you do not deserve praise or success.’ Which about sums it up really. Around 25-30% of high achievers experience imposter syndrome at one time, often more than once, and it’s very common when someone’s going through a transition.

However, I’m not a massive fan of the term ‘imposter syndrome’. To me, that always sounds very clinical and cold, making it seem like it’s some sort of permanent illness people can’t be rid of. I much prefer the term ‘imposter feelings’ because that’s what they are – feelings. Something very real, but temporary. Emotions that can be worked through while you get comfortable in an uncomfortable space. They’re not a reflection on you, how you perform, or how you think. It’s just a natural part of being human.

Why Imposter Feelings Shows Up

If the scenario above seems familiar, then you might have suffered from imposter feelings. Imposter feelings often creeps in at the worst possible moment – right after a win. Landing a new job, a promotion or a big opportunity. Once you get there you’re filled with enthusiasm and raring to go. But maybe an hour or even a day in, instead of feeling confident, you start spiralling. You might think things like:

• What if I’m not actually good at this?
• What if they realise I’m not the expert they thought I was?
• What if I mess it up and everyone sees I’m a fraud?

Imposter feelings can turn up at any time, but it usually hits the hardest when you’re doing something new, something high-stakes, or something that’s just a bit outside of your comfort zone. This is often known as the circle of growth’ or ‘the learning zone’. It’s something we all go through whenever we stretch beyond our comfort zone into something new. Reaching outside of what feels normal and comfortable isn’t always easy, but this is where we have the opportunity to learn new things, and to grow as a professional and a person.

Which is exactly what a new leadership role feels like. Add in the pressure to prove yourself, a lot of unfamiliar tasks, meeting new people with all eyes on you, and it’s no surprise that your brain’s freaking out.  It’s completely normal to experience imposter feelings during these times, and it’s often a sign that you’re doing things right and you’re growing.

But that doesn’t mean your brain is telling you the truth.

It’s Not An Accident

Remember, you didn’t just land in your role. Companies don’t tend to just promote people who aren’t qualified for the fun of it, or by accident. You got where you are through experience, hard work, and the fact that somebody (probably several somebodies) looked at your achievements and background and thought ‘Yes, they’re the right person for this’. 

That isn’t an accident, and you didn’t trick anyone into hiring or promoting you. You don’t need to work 60 hours a week to justify your place – you already have it. The difficult part is reminding yourself of that when your confidence gets wobbly.

What You Can Do Instead

There are a few things you can do to help get out of your head and take control when imposter feelings takes hold. I could spend hours talking through the options, but my favourite techniques include:

• Name it for what it is. If you’re constantly questioning yourself, you can start by taking the time to recognise what’s actually going on. These feelings aren’t you being ‘realistic’ or ‘humble’  – it’s imposter feelings, and it thrives in silence. Once you recognise and name it for what it is, it starts to lose its grip.
• Focus on facts, not feelings.  Your brain will happily feed you stories about how you’re not good enough for the job. So show it how wrong it is! Write down some facts:
  • What have you achieved so far?
  • What skills got you here?
  • What have people trusted you to do in the past?
  • What are some big wins you’ve had?

Keep that list somewhere that you can read it whenever you’re having doubts.

• Don’t compare your inside to someone else’s outside. Or someone else’s journey. It might look like everyone around you has it all figured out, but you never really know what’s going on under the surface. From my experience, most people are quietly wondering if they are the ones who don’t belong. Leadership doesn’t come with a manual, we’re all learning on the job!
• Drop the act. Trying to look like you’ve got it all together all the time is exhausting. You’re human, and you’re learning – give yourself a break! Ask questions, take time to settle in, and admit when you don’t know something. Seek advice when you need it. That’s not weakness, it’s good leadership.
• Give yourself credit. Start noticing the things you are doing well, and give yourself some credit for it. It doesn’t have to be big things. Got through a tricky meeting? Great! Managed a difficult conversation? Fantastic! Made a decision you were unsure about? That’s the job, and you’re doing it well.

Remember, having imposter feelings doesn’t mean you’re not qualified. It means that you’re stretching, growing and becoming something more capable than ever before. It can be an uncomfortable process, but it also means you’re in exactly the right place. You don’t need to be perfect at everything to lead. The important thing is being present, willing to learn, and grounded in the fact that you do bring value (even if your inner critic hasn’t caught up yet).

So the next time that little voice pipes up with ‘Do you really think you can do this?’, the answer is yes, you’re the one who earned this. Because you did.