The Voice That Says “You’re Not Enough” (Imposter Syndrome) 👐🏻

aisakura24
Oct 19
2 min read

I still remember the first time I coached a senior leader who said, “I keep waiting for someone to realize I’m not actually as capable as they think I am.”

It struck me, not because it was unusual, but because I’d said the same thing to myself years earlier.

Imposter syndrome doesn’t care how experienced or accomplished you are. It can show up right after a promotion, a big presentation, or even after years of proven success. For many of my high-achieving mid-career and executive clients, it sounds like a quiet voice that says:

“You just got lucky.”
“You’re fooling everyone.”
“You don’t belong at this level.”

Even when you know logically it’s not true, emotionally, it feels real.

How It Shows Up

Imposter syndrome isn’t always loud self-doubt. Sometimes it’s subtle:

Over-preparing to prove your worth
Holding back ideas out of fear of being “found out”
Feeling anxious when others praise your work
Constantly comparing yourself to peers

It often hits hardest for people who’ve built their careers on high achievement and adaptability. Those same traits that make you successful can in fact turn inward, driving you to constantly prove your value rather than slow down and trust it.

The Deeper Layer

What I’ve seen over time, both personally and with clients, is that imposter syndrome isn’t really about competence but rather about belonging.

It’s the tension between who you think you’re supposed to be and who you actually are. For neurodiverse professionals, this can be amplified by years of masking or trying to “fit in” to traditional work norms that don’t honor different ways of thinking and leading.

Once you start seeing that imposter feelings are just misplaced signals and not facts, everything starts to shift from within.

How Coaching Helps

Career coaching creates a safe space to unpack those internal narratives and build confidence rooted in reality, not perfection or self-perception. Together, we:

Identify where your imposter thoughts come from
Reconnect with evidence of your real strengths and impact
Develop language to advocate for yourself authentically
Learn how to lead, communicate, and perform without overcompensating

What’s powerful is watching clients realize that the voice of doubt isn’t telling the truth - it’s just trying to keep them safe.

If You’re Tired of Questioning Yourself

Imposter syndrome doesn’t mean you’re not capable. It often means you’re stretching into growth. You don’t need to silence the voice of doubt; you just need to stop letting it lead the conversation.

If you’ve been second-guessing your success lately, maybe it’s time to rewrite the story.

👉 Book a free consultation