Let me start this by introducing myself. I'm Matheus and I’ve worked on different positions in different projects and verticals, on companies and research institutes: development, business analysis, requirements analysis, technical leadership, innovation policies, and project management. Over time I’ve moved on to senior leadership roles, which I am executing for more than a decade now, and for the past few years I am serving as Managing Director for Thoughtworks Spain and also part of the company’s global leadership team.
A while ago, I had a session with one of my mentees at my current company. He asked me to talk a little bit about the famous Imposter Syndrome. He’s facing new challenges dealing with a lot of imposter feelings lately. By the way, he’s amazing and am sure he will rock on to new challenges.
As a leader, I've often had to confront and overcome my own Impostor Syndrome. It's a common experience among leaders, and frankly, most of us (all of us?) have been there at some point. It’s a normal feeling, a part of being human, but recognizing and overcoming it is essential for both personal and professional growth.
To prepare myself for the session with him, I took notes of stuff that helped me to overcome my own imposter Syndrome in the past. At the end, we had an amazing discussion! So I decided to remove all personal examples and anecdotal stories and share what was left here as post. I hope it helps.
We all feel like imposters from time to time. And that's ok
Feeling an imposter and having fear is a common pattern. And it isn’t a problem in itself. Fear has a biological reason to exist. In Thoughtworks Brazil we used to say “Courage is not lack of fear, but doing it anyways even when afraid”.
In fact, when I invite someone to a new and more complex position, as a leader I kind of expect a combination of a bit of fear with excitement. If I see no fear at all, I usually think there’s a yellow flag somewhere.
So what?
This feeling is normal, natural and part of human condition. So should I just ignore it?
Not necessarily. The problem is if it becomes pathological of if it hinders your ability to give our best and to be geuine in your role. If that’s the case, we need to talk about it and act.
What to do?
Here are some strategies that have helped me navigate these challenges and emerge stronger:
- Break the Silence:
Don’t keep it bottled up. Talk about your feelings openly with someone you trust, whether it’s a colleague, a mentor, or a friend. You’ll quickly realize that you’re not alone in feeling this way, and that can be incredibly reassuring. - Focus on Facts:
It's easy to let self-doubt cloud your judgment, but it’s important to separate your feelings from the reality of your achievements. Seeking feedback and analyzing data can provide a more accurate picture of your performance, helping you see things as they truly are. - Trust Your Instincts:
Don’t underestimate the value of your gut feeling. Often, what we call instinct is actually the result of years of experience and deep, unconscious processing. Those ideas that seem to come out of nowhere are usually rooted in your expertise. Own the results of your decisions—they are yours. It’s almost instinctual to take responsibility for negative outcomes, but don’t forget to own the positive ones too. - Celebrate Wins:
No matter how small, acknowledge and celebrate your successes. It’s important to recognize your achievements along the way, as these moments of success are what build confidence and reinforce your capabilities. - Learn from Mistakes:
We all make mistakes—what matters is what you learn from them. Reflect on what went wrong, what you’ve learned, and how you can apply those lessons moving forward. Research on neuroplasticity suggests that making mistakes is one of the most effective ways to learn and grow (I plan to dive deeper into this topic in a future piece). - Understand your triggers:
“Oh my God everyone here is brilliant"
Thoughts like this are very likely to be a trigger for imposter Syndrome. Or even subtle variations such as "Ohhh... I was lucky" is also a good example. Being a minority in a group (age, gender, tenure - "new kid on the block", ethnicity, etc.) can also be a trigger. And, of course, new roles, new teams, new clients... are usually triggers.
Try to understand what are the triggers or symptoms of your imposter feelings to get more self aware, and act on it sooner. - Fake it ‘till you make it
Sometimes, in the beginning of a new adventure, you need to fake it for a while. The more you act confident, the more you will feel confident and show it to the world. And eventually it will get easier. - Find ways to be spontaneous
This one is a limit on the previous, you need to put some limits on the last one, i.e. on the Fake it ‘till you make it. Using "masks" all the time, or making a conscious effort to "behave" or "prove yourself" all the time requires a lot of mental energy that could be used for creativity instead. You can't do that all the time. So find out what kind of environment makes you more spontaneous and leverage on that. Being spontaneous will bring the best out of us.
These strategies not only helped me in my journey but have also enabled me to guide others who are facing similar challenges. Overcoming Impostor Syndrome is a process, but it’s one that leads to stronger, more confident leadership. The path may not always be easy, but with persistence and the right mindset, it’s a journey worth taking. Every step you take towards overcoming these doubts contributes to your growth as a leader and as an individual.
Do you have any strategies that have worked for you, or any tips you’d like to share? I’d love to hear from you!
#Leadership #PersonalGrowth #ImpostorSyndrome #Mentorship