Why High Achievers Struggle with Imposter Syndrome (And How to Overcome It) - Part 1
Ever find yourself thinking, “I don’t belong here” after a promotion, a new job, or even hitting a personal milestone? Instead of celebrating, you might worry that everyone around you will figure out that you don’t really know what you’re doing. That feeling? It’s called Imposter Syndrome.
I’ve been there too, and believe me, you're not alone. But why does this happen, especially to high-achievers? Why do people with obvious success still feel like frauds? In this post, I'm going to explore what Imposter Syndrome is, how it shows up in different ways, and why it’s important to recognize when it’s happening to you. This is the first of a 3-part weekly series: (1) The What, (2) The Why, and (3) The How. Let's start with The What.
What is Imposter Syndrome?
Imposter Syndrome is that persistent feeling that you’ve somehow tricked everyone into thinking you’re more capable than you actually are. Despite evidence of your accomplishments—whether it’s a degree, a successful project, or a promotion—you still feel like you’re not truly qualified. The core belief behind Imposter Syndrome is, “I’m a fraud, and sooner or later, people will figure it out.”
What’s fascinating is that this phenomenon is most common among high-achievers. People who push themselves, strive for excellence, or find themselves in leadership roles tend to feel it the most. Studies suggest that around 70% of people will experience Imposter Syndrome at some point in their lives, and it can hit at any stage of a career, from recent graduates to seasoned professionals.
It’s not about actually being underqualified or undeserving. Instead, Imposter Syndrome is tied to how we internalize success. When you achieve something, your mind may downplay it as luck or timing (external sources) rather than recognizing your own skills and hard work (internal sources).
The Different Faces of Imposter Syndrome
Imposter Syndrome isn’t one-size-fits-all. In fact, it shows up in five different forms, depending on how you experience that self-doubt. Let’s go over each type and see if any of these sound familiar.
1. The Perfectionist
Perfectionism and Imposter Syndrome often go hand-in-hand. Perfectionists have impossibly high standards for themselves, and anything less than perfect feels like a failure. Even when they achieve great things, they tend to focus on what didn’t go perfectly instead of celebrating the success.
The problem with this mindset is that perfection is unattainable. When you’re constantly striving for something unrealistic, it feeds into the feeling that you’re not good enough, because there’s always something you could’ve done better.
Example: Let’s say you worked on a big project and it was well-received by your team or client. But all you can think about is the minor formatting issue in one part of the presentation. Even though everyone else thinks you did an amazing job, that small mistake makes you feel like you’ve fallen short.
2. The Superwoman/Superman
This type feels the pressure to be a star in all areas of life—not just at work, but in relationships, personal hobbies, and even self-care. They believe they need to excel at everything, often taking on more than they can realistically manage. When they can’t keep up with the demands of their superhuman expectations, they feel like they’re failing across the board.
Example: You might be excelling at work, but because you missed a few gym sessions or forgot to call a friend back, you feel like you're dropping the ball. Instead of recognizing that juggling everything is tough, you feel inadequate for not being "on top of it" in every area of your life.
3. The Natural Genius
Natural Geniuses believe they should excel at tasks without much effort. When things don’t come easily or they struggle with something new, it triggers feelings of inadequacy. They’re used to being “the smart one” or the person who picks things up quickly, so they interpret any difficulty as a sign that they’re not actually as capable as people think.
Example: Imagine starting a new job where you need to learn a complicated software program. Instead of recognizing that everyone struggles with new skills at first, you take this as evidence that you’re not as smart as you thought. You may even avoid learning new things altogether because the process of struggling makes you feel like a fraud.
4. The Soloist
Soloists believe they need to do everything by themselves. Asking for help feels like an admission of incompetence, so they avoid it at all costs. This can create unnecessary stress, as they push through tasks alone that would be far easier with some assistance. The Soloist’s motto is: “If I can’t do this on my own, I must not be good enough.”
Example: You’ve been working on a project for days, and it’s not going well. You know a colleague could easily help, but instead of reaching out, you keep going alone, thinking that asking for help would show that you’re not capable of handling it.
5. The Expert
Experts think they need to know everything before they can be considered competent. Even after gaining qualifications, years of experience, or achieving success, they never feel like they know enough. The Expert is constantly seeking more knowledge and skills but never feels “qualified enough” to be considered an authority in their field.
Example: You’ve been working in your industry for over a decade, but you still feel like you need to take just one more course or get one more certification before you can truly consider yourself an expert. You don’t trust the experience you’ve gained because there’s always more to learn.
Yup, this is me
The Science Behind Imposter Syndrome
Why do so many of us feel this way, even when the facts clearly say otherwise? Imposter Syndrome is a mix of psychological factors, cognitive biases, and social influences. Here are some of the key reasons it happens:
Cognitive Biases:
Our brains have a natural tendency to focus on negative experiences more than positive ones. Psychologists call this the negativity bias, and it’s a survival mechanism that evolved to help us avoid danger. While this bias was useful when our ancestors had to remember which berries were poisonous, it’s not as helpful when we’re assessing our own success. Instead of focusing on your wins, your brain zeroes in on the mistakes, fueling the feeling that you’re not really good enough.Comparison Bias:
Have you ever scrolled through social media and felt like everyone else is crushing it while you’re just getting by? That’s the comparison bias at work. We tend to compare our struggles with other people’s highlight reels. You’re comparing their best moments to your hardest challenges, which leads to an unfair, distorted view of yourself.Perfectionism:
Many of us grew up in environments where success was highly valued, whether that was in school, sports, or within our families. When you were praised for being “smart” or “talented,” it set up an expectation that you must always live up to those labels. If you hit a roadblock, struggle with a task, or fail, it feels like a sign that you’ve somehow lost your edge, fueling feelings of inadequacy.
Why It’s Important to Recognize Imposter Syndrome
Imposter Syndrome isn’t just about feeling a bit unsure of yourself. Over time, it can take a serious toll on your mental health, relationships, and professional success. People with Imposter Syndrome are more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression, and burnout. The constant feeling of inadequacy leads to overworking, fear of failure, and reluctance to take on new challenges because of the fear of being “found out.”
It also affects relationships. People who struggle with Imposter Syndrome often downplay their achievements, reject compliments, and avoid seeking help. This can distance them from colleagues, friends, and loved ones, as they put up walls to avoid being exposed. They also fear talking about their Imposter Syndrome because they feel like they're the only ones who experience it, therefore reinforcing those fraudulent feelings and isolation.
Professionally, it’s a double-edged sword. While the drive to prove oneself can lead to high achievement, it can also lead to overcompensation—working long hours, taking on too much responsibility, or avoiding new opportunities for fear of failure. This can create a cycle of burnout and self-doubt, even in the most capable people.
Wrapping Up
Imposter Syndrome is more common than you think, and it’s not limited to people just starting their careers. It affects high-achievers and professionals at all stages. Recognizing it is the first step in dealing with it. Understanding how it manifests in different ways can help you catch those feelings of self-doubt before they spiral.
In the next part of this series, we’ll dive into the origins of Imposter Syndrome and explore how early experiences and environments shape these feelings. Stick around—you might be surprised at what’s really driving your imposter feelings.
