You mean I'm normal? Understanding the sources of Impostor Syndrome
If you’ve ever thought, “If they only knew I have no idea what I’m doing…” you’re not alone. And you’re not broken!
That Impostor syndrome is playing tricks with your mind. When all the evidence of your achievements, experience, and glowing performance reviews says you’re amazing, your inner voice says otherwise.
In this post, I want to dig into why it shows up especially during big moments in our careers. Because understanding what’s happening is the first step toward changing the story.
A Real-Life Example: The Pilot’s Dilemma
A commercial pilot friend of mine was promoted to captain about a year ago. He had the training, the hours, the experience. But when it came time to wear that captain’s uniform, he froze.
He started second-guessing everything: “What if I mess up? What if I can’t handle an emergency? What if I don’t deserve this?”
That’s impostor syndrome in action. Even though he had what it took on paper and in practice, he doubted himself because of the newness of the role. That kind of self-doubt is incredibly common in times of transition—whether it’s a promotion, a new job, a shift in responsibilities, or even a big public recognition.
I said to him, “It makes sense you feel those doubts. You’ve never had this role before. Impostor syndrome always screams the loudest in time of change.”
I could see the relief on his face. Permission to feel the doubt was granted. And so was permission to move beyond it.
So Where Does This Come From?
Impostor feelings don’t just pop out of nowhere. They usually have roots—some planted long ago. Here are some of the most common sources:
- Childhood Pressure or Praise
If you were the “gifted one” or pushed to always be the best, you may have internalized a belief that success = perfection. So when you struggle (as all humans do), you feel like a fraud. - Labels That Stick
Maybe you were “the shy one” or “the goofy one.” Those early identities persiste for years, make you question whether you’re allowed to be something else—like a be leader or get a degree or try something new. - Fast-Moving Fields (Like STEM or the Arts)
These careers evolve quickly. There’s always a new tool, theory, or trend. Keeping up can feel like chasing a jet plane (trust me—I used to test them). That constant evolution can stir up doubt. - Leadership Roles
Moving up the ladder often means leaving behind some of the familiarity, camaraderie and feedback. Without clear input, your thoughts can spiral into “Am I doing this right?” - Higher Ed, New Certifications, or Elite Programs
When you’re surrounded by other smart, high-achieving folks, it’s easy to fall into comparison mode and feel like the outlier. - Being the “Only” One
Whether you’re the only woman, the only person of color, or the only new hire on your team, being “the only” can trigger feelings of not belonging. - Career Pivots
New role, new team, new industry = new fears. That inner critic comes to life during transitions. - Academia and Research
The “publish or perish” pressure is no joke. Even seasoned professionals can feel like frauds when one paper rejection knocks them off balance. Or if you’re a admin person at an elite university, feeling “less than” is not uncommon. - Cross-Functional or Hybrid Roles
If you’re bouncing between teams or disciplines, it can be hard to feel grounded—and easy to feel like an outsider. - Cultural Disconnects
When your background or communication style differs from your coworkers’, it can feel like you’re not fitting in. - High-Pressure, Competitive Workplaces
If your company culture celebrates “rock stars” but ignores collaboration, it can feed impostor syndrome big-time. - Solo Work or Entrepreneurship
When you’re the one wearing all the hats, there’s no one to tell you “You’re doing great.” It’s hard to silence the doubt when that silence CREATES the doubt! - Trying New Things (and Failing Forward)
Learning is messy. But for those with high standards or a history of learning things quickly, not being instantly great at something feels like a moral failing. Spoiler alert: it’s not. - Being Human
Let’s just call it what it is: even the most confident and talented people have off days. Even outstanding baseball hitters fail more than 60% of the time! Feeling like an impostor doesn’t make you broken—it makes you human.
You’re Not Crazy. You’re Not Alone. You’re Not Broken.
Here’s what I want you to take away from this: feeling like an impostor doesn’t mean you’re flawed—it means you’re human. It means you’re in a moment of growth, challenge, or visibility. And those are exactly the places where doubt loves to sneak in.
When you start to recognize the deeper sources—your upbringing, your work culture, your transitions, your wiring—it’s like turning on a light in a dark room. Suddenly, you’re not fumbling around in a panic. You’re seeing the structure. And that structure can be changed. But not all at once. And not by pretending the doubt doesn’t exist.
The truth is, impostor syndrome has roots. When you understand why it’s showing up, it becomes a lot less powerful. And a lot less personal. It’s not your insides creating it. It’s your outsides
So if you’re thinking, “Why do I feel this way when I’m so accomplished?”
The answer might be:
“Because I’m stepping into something new.”
Or:
“Because I was raised to think success had to look a certain way.”
Or simply:
“Because I’m wired for high standards, and I’m still learning how to navigate them with grace.”
Whatever the reason—you’re not wrong for feeling this way. You’re just… normal.
Take a breath. You don’t have to solve it today. You just have to notice it—and realize that you have options to move past it.
And my pilot friend? A year later, he is absolutely crushing it! Not only has he grown comfortable in his role, he realizes that he was perfectly prepared to step into it in the first place. He acknowledged his initial fear, but didn’t live there.
Funny how that works. (Actually, no, it’s not funny at all. It’s predictable and certain. And can work for you as well!)
Ready to go deeper?
This post is based on a chapter from my book, Get Your Best People to Give Their Best Effort: Your Go-To Guide for Recognizing and Defeating Impostor Syndrome in Your Bold and Brilliant Team. If you’re a leader (or a high-achiever who leads themselves), this book gives you the tools to spot impostor syndrome, shift the conversation, and bring out the best in yourself and your team.
👉 Check it out here and start leading with clarity, courage, and confidence. (No rocket science required.)