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No, you’re not an imposter
7 min | Hannah Pearsall | Article | | Starting a new job
Feeling like a fraud at work? You’re not the only one. According to our Employment Trends – Spring 2025 Update, which distils insights from a survey of over 8,000 professionals into topics affecting the world of work, 64% of professionals have had feelings of imposter syndrome at some point during their career, with a quarter (25%) saying they’ve experienced them often.
Imposter syndrome is a psychological phenomenon where individuals – despite evidence of success and competence – persistently doubt their abilities and fear being exposed as a ‘fraud’. Those experiencing imposter syndrome often attribute their accomplishments to luck, discounting their own skills and contributions.
Somewhat unsurprisingly, these feelings of inadequacy often increase as people become more senior – 44% of those we surveyed said their experiences of imposter syndrome have become more frequent as their career progressed. There are a number of reasons for this, with the increased visibility that comes with a higher-ranking position being one of them. Those with newly awarded management responsibilities might hesitate in making decisions, fearing that their choices will be scrutinised or deemed inadequate by those both more junior and senior.
While it might be more endemic among more advanced professionals, no one is impervious to the anxiety and low self-confidence that can arise as a result of imposter syndrome. While you may not be able to dismiss these thoughts and feelings altogether, there are some adjustments that you can make to your mindset in a bid to reframe them:
The next time you experience self-doubt, worry that you’re undeserving of your success, or don’t ‘belong’ in your current role or workplace, call it out for what it is – imposter syndrome. Notice the way you feel and think – is there a familiar script that your mind keeps replaying? For example: ‘I wonder when they’ll find out I don’t know what I’m doing’, ‘I’ve got here through luck, not ability’, or ‘if I was good enough then I wouldn’t be feeling so worried’.
Take a moment to remind yourself that this is not reality, but rather your interpretation of it. This doesn’t mean that your feelings aren’t valid – they are what they are, and you’re always allowed to feel them – but to recognise imposter syndrome for what it is to assert control over it and acknowledge that – with practice – you can put these thoughts into perspective, and observe them rather than engage with them.
While imposter syndrome might not seem like a gift at first glance, if harnessed in the right way, it can be used to create a kinder, more mindful approach to your professional life. So rather than pushing your anxieties to the very back of your mind and trying to persevere regardless, tell yourself you’re going to make a concerted effort to overcome them.
Taking some time to clarify your own values and strengths can be a good place to start. Once you understand these, you’ll be able to recognise what you uniquely have to offer and won’t have to pretend to be something you’re not, just to fit in. Ask yourself: What do I stand for? What motivates me? How do I want to contribute? You don't have to be saving lives for your work to be meaningful, but it's important to remember why and how your efforts impact others.
Setting unrealistic expectations for yourself and failing to meet them is sure to lead to demotivation. You’re much more likely to get a sense of accomplishment from being pragmatic about what you can achieve in a day and then exceeding those expectations.
Keep in mind that the definition of a good day is unique to each person. What one individual considers a positive outcome might differ greatly from what another deems a success. For this reason, it’s better not to compare your achievements with those of anyone else. The best way to find fulfilment in your role is to focus on what you want to get out of the job, rather than what you think you should be getting out of it.
Remember that no win is too small to celebrate, even if it’s completing a task you’ve been putting off, or sending an email you’ve been avoiding. If it’s moved you forward a step, then it counts.
Many of us soldier through life full of guilt for failing to live up to the impossibly high expectations that we’ve set for ourselves. What we would do well to recognise is that we are all works-in-progress, and while that momentum ebbs and flows, we continue to move. When we find something challenging or make a mistake, we have a tendency to stop, hone in on that particular moment, and then berate ourselves for not being up to the task.
This is a way of thinking that you can reprogramme. Being kind to yourself about your mistakes requires a different kind of courage – instead of thinking to yourself “I’m failing” or “I’m not good enough”, try “I’m learning and I’m developing.” Progress of any kind, even if it’s learning from a mistake, is the goal.
If you’re thinking about looking for a new, more rewarding role in the near future, then check out our latest vacancies – we add new ones daily.
Hannah Pearsall is the Head Of Wellbeing at Hays. Her career at Hays spans 22 years, where she has held numerous roles, all of which have contributed to her knowledge and expertise in the world of work. Since 2019 Hannah has been supporting employee wellbeing.
Hannah leads a UK&I network of HUMAN champions and chairs a global wellbeing forum both of which form an important part of the evolving wellbeing strategy at Hays. She is passionate about helping organisations recognise the impact that the workplace has on individual, organisational and societal wellbeing. Additionally, Hannah is part of the leadership team at Let’s Improve Workplace Wellbeing and involved in the Government working group No Time To Step Back, set up to recruit, support and retain women in the workplace experiencing menopause.
Hannah has a deep interest and curiosity in workplace wellbeing, which stems from her own lived experience. Hannah is a licensed Mental Health First Aid England Instructor, accredited Wellbeing Coach and is currently studying an MSc. in Workplace Health and Wellbeing.
