The Hidden Cost of Imposter Syndrome at Work (And How to Break Free)
You might look like you’ve got it all together on the outside - competent, calm, capable.
But inside? It’s a different story. Quiet self-doubt, second-guessing, and a fear that at some point, you’ll be exposed as not good enough.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone - and this could be imposter syndrome at work.
What is Imposter Syndrome?
Imposter syndrome isn’t a diagnosis, but it is a very real experience.
It’s that nagging feeling that you’re not as capable as others think you are - and that sooner or later, you’ll be found out.
Even with evidence of success, you might put it down to luck, timing, or just managing to “wing it.”
It’s the inner voice that says, “I don’t belong here,” “I’m not good enough,” or “I have no idea what I’m doing.”
How Imposter Syndrome Shows Up at Work
At work, imposter syndrome often hides in plain sight. It might look like:
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Overpreparing or overworking to avoid being exposed as a fraud
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Downplaying achievements and brushing off praise
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Procrastinating or avoiding new opportunities for fear of not being good enough
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Perfectionism - setting unrealistically high standards to compensate for self-doubt
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Comparing yourself to others and always falling short in your own mind
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Feeling like you’re “winging it” - despite a strong track record
Many people with imposter syndrome are high-performing and driven. But internally, they’re caught in a cycle of worry and self-criticism - often in secret.
The Cost of Leaving It Unchecked
Imposter syndrome doesn’t just affect how you feel at work - it affects what you do (and don’t do).
It can hold you back from:
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Speaking up in meetings
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Putting yourself forward for promotions or new roles
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Sharing your ideas
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Asking for help
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Setting healthy boundaries
You might push yourself to burnout trying to “prove” your worth, or you might start to feel stuck - playing small to stay safe.
And because imposter syndrome feeds off silence, it often becomes a lonely struggle.
Left unaddressed, it can impact your confidence, your wellbeing, your relationships at work, and even your career path.
How Therapy Can Help You Move Forward
The good news is: imposter syndrome isn’t a fixed trait - it’s a pattern. And like all patterns, it can be understood and changed.
In therapy, I help people:
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Understand what’s really going on - and why it makes so much sense
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Recognise the unhelpful thinking and behaviour loops that keep the doubt going
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Shift how they respond to self-doubt and fear (rather than trying to eliminate them)
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Build a more compassionate relationship with themselves
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Reconnect with their values and take action in a way that feels more confident, authentic, and sustainable
This isn’t about just thinking more positively or giving yourself a pep talk.
It’s about getting underneath the pattern, understanding it in context, and learning how to respond differently - so it stops running the show.
Final Thoughts
If you’re struggling with imposter syndrome at work, you’re not broken - and you’re certainly not alone.
Your mind is doing what it thinks it needs to do to keep you safe. But it might be using the wrong tools for the job.
Therapy offers a space to explore these patterns, make sense of your experience, and start to build the confidence to show up as you - no hiding, no overcompensating, no waiting to be found out.
You’ve done the hard work to get here. Let’s make sure your self-doubt doesn’t keep you stuck.