(And why it doesn’t mean you’re actually an imposter)
You’d think that the more successful someone becomes, the more confident they would feel.
But interestingly, the opposite often happens.
Many high-achieving professionals quietly struggle with a nagging internal voice that says:
“I’ve fooled everyone.”
“Soon they’ll realise I’m not as capable as they think.”
“I should know more than I do.”
This experience is commonly known as imposter syndrome, and it’s surprisingly common among capable, intelligent, hardworking people.
In fact, the very qualities that help people succeed are often the same ones that make them vulnerable to feeling like a fraud.
Let’s look at why.
- High achievers set extremely high standards
Many professionals operate with an internal rule that sounds something like:
"If I’m going to do something, I need to do it perfectly."
This can create a subtle but powerful trap.
Instead of success being measured by competence or progress, it becomes measured against an unrealistically high internal standard.
So even when someone performs well, their mind focuses on what they didn’t do perfectly.
It’s a bit like scoring 90% in an exam and only noticing the 10% you got wrong.
Over time, this creates the feeling that you’re constantly falling short, even when you’re objectively doing very well.
- Success gets explained away
Another common thinking pattern in imposter syndrome is discounting achievements.
High achievers often attribute their success to things like:
- luck
- timing
- being in the right place
- other people overestimating them
Instead of recognising their own skills or effort.
For example, someone might think:
"That presentation went well because the audience was easy."
rather than
"It went well because I prepared thoroughly and communicated clearly."
This mental habit means success never fully lands, so confidence doesn’t build.
- The higher you climb, the bigger the comparison group
As people progress in their careers, they naturally start working alongside other highly capable individuals.
Suddenly they’re comparing themselves with:
- senior leaders
- experts in their field
- people with decades more experience
And when we compare our behind-the-scenes thinking with someone else’s external confidence, it can easily create the illusion that everyone else has it figured out.
The reality is that many of those people are quietly thinking exactly the same thing.
- High achievers tend to be very self-aware
Many successful professionals are thoughtful, reflective people.
They notice:
- gaps in their knowledge
- areas they want to improve
- things they could have done better
While this self-awareness can be a real strength, it can also create the impression that they’re less competent than others.
Ironically, people who are least aware of their limitations are often the most confident.
- New levels bring new uncertainty
Every step forward in a career brings new challenges.
- first management role
- first leadership position
- moving into a more senior organisation
- starting a business
Each stage involves learning new skills and navigating unfamiliar situations.
Feeling unsure in those moments doesn’t mean you don’t belong there.
It simply means you’re growing into the next level of responsibility.
A CBT perspective on imposter syndrome
From a cognitive behavioural perspective, imposter syndrome is often maintained by a few key patterns:
Thought patterns
- “I should know everything.”
- “If I make a mistake, people will lose respect for me.”
Behaviours
- over-preparing
- overworking
- avoiding visibility (speaking up, sharing ideas)
Attention bias
- focusing on mistakes while overlooking success
These patterns unintentionally keep the self-doubt cycle going.
The good news is that these thinking and behaviour patterns are very changeable once they are understood.
The key takeaway
Imposter syndrome is rarely a sign that someone is actually incompetent.
More often, it’s a sign that someone:
- cares deeply about doing well
- holds themselves to high standards
- is operating in a challenging environment
In other words, it’s often experienced by exactly the kind of people organisations rely on most.
Learning how to challenge the thinking patterns behind imposter syndrome can help professionals step out of the pressure cycle and start recognising their capabilities more realistically.
And interestingly, confidence tends to grow not from eliminating self-doubt completely, but from learning how to move forward alongside it.
Amanda Hodgson specialises in CBT support for professionals experiencing work stress, leadership pressure, and perfectionism.
She offers CBT therapy both online and in person in Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne.
If imposter syndrome, perfectionism, or work stress is starting to take its toll, support is available.
You can learn more at:
www.clearmindscbt.co.uk
