Imposter Syndrome

It was 2015, and I was working on a large transformation program in Qatar. Despite having gone through a rigorous two-stage interview process and being fully qualified for my role, I couldn't shake this overwhelming feeling, I was constantly waiting for someone to tap me on the shoulder and expose me as a fraud 🙃

One day, I confided in my older sister who, to my surprise, shared that as a Chief Accountant for a global organisation at the time, she lived with the same fear - imagining someone bursting into her office and exposing her as someone who didn't know what she was doing!

Desperate to understand these feelings, I typed into Google: "why do I feel like a fraud at work?" That's when I discovered what we were experiencing had a name: Imposter Syndrome. I had never heard of this term until then, thankfully this is now something so openly talked about.

I don't feel like an imposter anymore because I have learned to manage these feelings:

📂 I keep a "wins folder" - Every positive feedback email, successful project outcome, or word of appreciation goes here. On tough days, it's my reminder that I've earned my place.

🎓 I remind myself of the facts - My qualifications, interview processes, and achievements aren't opinions; they're verifiable facts. I earned the positions through proper channels.

🪟 I reframed "I got lucky" to "I was prepared" - When opportunities arose, I had the skills to seize them. That's not luck; that's preparation meeting opportunity.

🫂 I share with others - Opening up about these feelings often leads to "me too" moments, creating valuable connections and support systems.

Studies show that a large percentage of successful professionals experience imposter syndrome at some point, with women being particularly affected. The irony? It often strikes high achievers who are more than capable of doing their jobs 🤯

Looking back, having someone to talk to who understood these feelings made all the difference. Now, years later, I find these conversations are still some of the most meaningful ones we can have in our professional lives.

Remember: If you're worried about being an imposter, chances are you're exactly where you belong. Real imposters rarely question their capabilities.

Would love to hear your experiences with imposter syndrome and how you've learned to overcome it?