Imposter Syndrome in Leadership: 5 Lies Leaders Believe (and the Truth That Sets Them Free)

Back in 2013, I wrote something on this blog that I’d only ever shared with my wife: some days, I feel like an IMPOSTER.

I had been the regional dean of a college overseeing 6 campuses, a campus president and a manager in printing, hotels and retail. And in every one of those roles, I heard the same words in my head…”You’re not qualified to be doing this.” “It’s just a matter of time before someone finds you out.” I’d find myself waiting for someone to walk into the room and say, “AH HA! You’ve been found out!”

More than a decade (and a doctorate) later, I still hear that voice sometimes. The difference now? I know how to answer it.

If you’ve ever felt that way, you’re in good company. Psychologists have been studying imposter syndrome since the late 1970s, and it shows up in some of the most capable leaders I know. Pastors. Executive directors. New managers. Business owners. People who look like they have it all together…and lie awake wondering when everyone will figure out they don’t.

Here’s what I’ve learned. Imposter syndrome runs on lies. And, the best way to quiet a lie is to answer it with the truth.

5 Lies Imposter Syndrome Tells Leaders

Lie #1: “I don’t belong here.”

This is the big one. You walk into the board meeting, the staff meeting or the classroom and feel like everyone else got an invitation and you snuck in the back door.

The truth: You are where you are for a reason. Someone hired you. Someone believed in you enough to give you the opportunity. Someone is counting on you to do what you do. You may not always feel ready for where you are…but you’re there. So, lead!

Lie #2: “Everyone else has it figured out.”

Let’s face it…we compare our behind-the-scenes with everyone else’s highlight reel. Their LinkedIn post looks polished. Their team seems to run like a machine. Their confidence looks effortless.

The truth: Many of the leaders you admire hear the same voice you do. They just don’t say it out loud. I’ve coached enough leaders to know that “I’m not sure I’m cut out for this” gets whispered in a LOT of corner offices.

Lie #3: “If I make a mistake, they’ll find me out.”

So you overprepare. You double-check everything three times. You avoid the risk, the new idea or the hard conversation, because failing might prove the voice right.

The truth: I make mistakes. A lot. Every leader does. Mistakes make you human, and they’re one of the main ways leaders grow. Your team will trust a leader who owns a mistake far more than one who pretends to be perfect.

Lie #4: “I have to know everything before I can lead.”

This lie keeps a lot of good leaders on the sidelines. They wait until they feel 100% qualified…and that day never comes.

The truth: You can grow into the role. If there’s a real gap in your skills, treat it as your next step. Read the book. Take the class. Find a mentor or a coach. The best leaders I know are learners first.

Lie #5: “What I feel is the truth about me.”

When the voice gets loud, it feels like fact. “I feel like a fraud” quickly becomes “I AM a fraud.”

The truth: This is a battle of the mind. Feelings are real, and they’re worth paying attention to. But, feelings aren’t facts. As a person of faith, I come back to 2 Timothy 1:7 often: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”

What to Do When the Voice Gets Loud

Knowing the truth is one thing. Remembering it on a hard Tuesday is another. Here are a few things that help me:

• Name it. Say it out loud, or write it down: “That’s the imposter voice talking.” Naming it takes away some of its power.
• Keep an encouragement file. Save the thank-you notes, the kind emails, the text from a team member, even the picture your kid colored for you. Pull it out on the hard days.
• Ask, “What’s the worst that could happen?” Play it out. Most of the time, the worst case is far more survivable than the voice wants you to believe.
• Take the next small step. Confidence usually shows up AFTER action. Do the one thing you’ve been putting off.

I first wrote about this in Imposter – Part 1 and Imposter – The Finale. The voice hasn’t completely gone away since then. But, I’ve learned it doesn’t get the final word.

This is actually Step 2 of my 5 Steps to Getting to Your Next Level™ – Master Your Mindset. If you want to see where you might be stuck right now, my free Next Level Self-Assessment takes about 3 minutes. And for a look at 8 areas of leadership, try my free LeaderScore™, which takes about 10 minutes.

Imposter Syndrome: Quick Answers

What is imposter syndrome? It’s the persistent feeling that you aren’t as capable as others think you are, and that you’ll eventually be “found out,” even when there’s plenty of evidence that you’re doing well.

Is imposter syndrome common in leaders? Very. New roles, promotions and bigger responsibilities tend to bring it to the surface, and many experienced leaders say they still feel it from time to time.

How do leaders overcome imposter syndrome? Most leaders don’t make it disappear completely. They learn to recognize it, answer it with the truth, lean on people they trust and keep taking action anyway. A coach or mentor can help a lot.

You can lead well even while the voice is still talking. Just don’t let it make your decisions.

What lie does your imposter voice tell you most often? Let me know in the comments!