Conquering Imposter Syndrome: 14 Strategies for Early Career Confidence
Battling imposter syndrome can be a pivotal challenge in fourteen’s career, so we’ve gathered firsthand insights from a diverse group of fourteen founders and executives. From reflecting and seeking mentorship to showing up, changing lives, and living purposefully, these leaders share personal experiences and techniques that helped them build confidence and overcome self-doubt.
- Reflect and Seek Mentorship
- Embrace Hard Work and Perseverance
- Recognize and Celebrate Your Capabilities
- Counter Fears with a Qualifications List
- Focus on Your Unique Perspective
- Create an Inventory of Success
- Work Hard and Trust Yourself
- Gain Confidence from Initial Successes
- Face Challenges and Stay Purpose-Driven
- Prepare and Celebrate Small Wins
- Leverage Unique Experiences and Seek Feedback
- Prepare Meticulously and Focus on Results
- Move Through Fear and Find Your Community
- Show Up, Change Lives, and Live Purposefully
Reflect and Seek Mentorship
Grappling with impostor syndrome early in my career was a significant challenge, especially as a young psychotherapist. Adopting regular reflective practices, like journaling my thoughts and victories at the end of each day, was immensely helpful. This practice allowed me to track my growth and build a bank of positive affirmations.
Seeking support from mentors offered both validation and indispensable guidance, which was crucial for my self-confidence. Engaging in continuous education and attending workshops also played a vital role in reaffirming my expertise. These strategies collectively strengthened my belief in my abilities and enabled me to provide the best support to my clients.
Kristie Tse, Founder & Therapist, Uncover Mental Health Counseling
Embrace Hard Work and Perseverance
I remember one of my very first roles in marketing and public relations. I was an Account Manager, and my main objective was securing media placements for my clients.
I quickly learned that there were no special skills or talents that would enable me to succeed in this role. Instead, it took hard work and perseverance.
At first, there was self-doubt and a lot of questioning whether I had chosen the right path, but when I started seeing results, I knew I was just as worthy as my peers.
Susan Sweenie, Founder, New Path Careers
Recognize and Celebrate Your Capabilities
Impostor syndrome is like an ‘unexpected item in the bagging area’: it’s frustrating, unwelcome, and often nothing more than a glitch in the system.
The skills, experiences, and knowledge that we have obtained deserve to be celebrated. We are usually in our roles because we are capable, skilled, and knowledgeable. We are in our roles because of our capabilities, experiences, and character, and, crucially, on the belief that we do know what we are doing.
Of course, challenges can appear, but they are simply opportunities to build on what we already know and gain more skills in our position. Remembering these key points when we are feeling less capable, or when we believe others might doubt our capabilities, is fundamental to overcoming impostor syndrome.
Remember, impostor syndrome is incredibly common, with around 70% of people feeling it at some point. We don’t believe that 70% of people don’t know what they’re doing, so why do we believe it for ourselves?
Emma Gray, Founder, Empathrive
Counter Fears with a Qualifications List
As a new coach, one of my fears was that I wasn’t as experienced as others in my industry. Here’s a technique that helped me overcome it: I created a list with two headers: “Why I Was Qualified” on one side, and “Why I Wasn’t Qualified” on the other. To counter my fear of not having enough experience, I wrote that even though I didn’t have a huge audience like so-and-so, I had a better grasp of industry trends because I was doing everything myself, without a team. Another thing that helped me realize I was qualified?
Unlike more established coaches, I was willing to put in extra work to help my clients get results. Bottom line: Creating this kind of list and countering your fears with logic is an effective way to beat imposter syndrome. I now have an eight-figure business, but I wouldn’t have gotten there if I had let irrational fears get in my way.
Luisa Zhou, Founder, LuisaZhou.com
Focus on Your Unique Perspective
When we experience impostor syndrome, we often compare ourselves to others and feel that we don’t measure up. We assume that everyone else is smarter and more qualified than we are. This was my story. Early in my career, I was a non-technical person on a team of engineers who spoke a language I didn’t understand.
I was terrified that they were going to ask me a question I couldn’t answer. With the help of a mentor, I realized that I wasn’t there to compete with the engineers. Had I had the same experience as my engineering colleagues, there would have been no need for both of us in the same meeting.
Instead, I realized that I was invited to meetings to bring the business perspective. Shifting my focus away from what I didn’t know to what I did know and where I could be of value allowed me to overcome impostor syndrome and show up with confidence.
Kim Meninger, Leadership Coach & Consultant, Kim Meninger
Create an Inventory of Success
Impostor syndrome is the feeling that you’re not as competent as others perceive you to be. Even with overwhelming evidence that demonstrates your achievements and skills, you might still fear that people will discover that you’re a fraud. Impostor syndrome affects people at all levels of their careers, regardless of age, gender, or profession.
Sometimes impostor syndrome can ebb and flow depending on where you are in your current role. For example, someone who is new to a level they’ve been promoted to—or new to a job—might experience some degree of impostor syndrome as they scramble to get to know the new role and settle in.
However, it’s even more common for people to experience impostor syndrome on an ongoing basis, and in that way, it can be crippling.
When I work with an executive coaching client who has impostor syndrome, we start by identifying common thoughts that emerge and identifying them as part of impostor syndrome. Reframing these thoughts and labeling them as part of impostor syndrome can help you detach from them.
We use many strategies in executive coaching to help clients overcome impostor syndrome. The one that helped me the most is something I now have most of my clients do: create an Inventory of Success, a practical tool that helps you to internalize your accomplishments—something that flies directly in the face of impostor syndrome.
The Inventory of Success is just a big list of your achievements, which might seem simple, but when you’re feeling that familiar surge of impostor syndrome, all you have to do is turn to the list and remind yourself of what you did to get where you are.
There are certainly more strategies to overcome impostor syndrome, and a good coach can help, but reframing your thoughts and maintaining an Inventory of Success will be a solid first step.
Susan Baroncini-Moe, Executive Coach, Baroncini-Moe Executive Coaching
Work Hard and Trust Yourself
I realized that to feel like an imposter, you have to either make or let people believe something that isn’t true about you.
My decision was to work so hard and efficiently that the results would be imminent and undeniable. This is still my approach.
If you feel like you’re not prepared enough for what’s coming, trust yourself; you’re probably right. Work more, and more efficiently.
Michael Zion, Founder & CEO, OpsMoon
Gain Confidence from Initial Successes
The biggest factor for me was getting over the ‘first official placement’ hump. When I initially became a recruiter, I did my best to be a sponge and learn as much as possible—and as quickly as possible! There was so much information coming in, and trying to process all of that was a big learning curve for me.
How do I apply this knowledge in a new industry? How do I define success? The most obvious piece is sheer numbers in the form of placements. For a while, I wasn’t sure of myself—didn’t know if I could actually succeed or be good at recruiting.
Once I made those first few placements, I started to believe in myself (as corny as it sounds, it’s true) and get the hang of things from a workflow/process improvement perspective. Confidence kept building from there with more candidate relationships, client interactions, and commission checks.
Alexander Dodge, Account Executive, Bristol Associates, Inc.
Face Challenges and Stay Purpose-Driven
The best way to overcome it is to go through it. Yes, it sounds so simple. Whatever makes you quake in your shoes, makes your voice crack over and over, and has you up at night, then do it. I know it sounds uncommon, but aren’t you? I think early in our careers, we sign up for common things such as: the cool kids’ table, being well-known, instant gratification, microwave results instead of crock-pot behavior, and being considered by others. I think the best course of action is to focus inward.
Every moment of every day, stay in your lane. Run your race. Operate on your purpose, with purpose, and in purpose at all times. When we think we are an imposter, it is due to a lack of confidence and looking outward. The killer of true innate joy is comparison. It is a thief.
We are listening to everyone’s public service announcement other than knowing (inwardly) that we are works in progress. We are never perfected but always progressing. Learning. Unlearning. Winning. Losing. Gaining. Releasing. When I look back over my shoulder at who I was and who I am becoming now, my heart smiles and aches. You do know you can have duality.
We can have joy and pain. We can have success and failure. We can have highs and lows. This happens simultaneously and can either make us firmly rooted or rattle us to the core. Next time you think you are not good enough, not worthy, or valued, consider doing a gut check (not out loud, but silently) and tell yourself: I matter. I am capable. I am equipped.
Speak back to the lower or inferior self trying to hijack you of a next-level opportunity. Remember, we all have to crawl before we can walk correctly and then run in an amazing way. Even at higher levels, you will need this gentle reminder. Just because you get there, you have these feelings.
Tanya Turner, MBA, SHRM-CP, PHR, HR Director, SALTO Systems, Inc
Prepare and Celebrate Small Wins
As the founder of Leverage, I’ve definitely had my fair share of impostor syndrome, especially in the early days. One moment that really stands out was when I had to pitch our services to a room full of experienced investors. I felt way out of my depth.
To get through it, I focused on preparation. I made sure I knew our business inside and out and practiced my pitch until I felt confident. The more I prepared, the more I realized that I actually knew my stuff.
Talking to mentors and other founders helped a lot too. They shared their own experiences with impostor syndrome, which made me feel less alone and more normal. Their advice and support were incredibly helpful.
I also started celebrating small wins. I kept a journal of every little achievement, no matter how minor. Seeing those successes on paper really boosted my confidence.
At Leverage, I encourage my team to prepare well, seek support, and celebrate their successes. We all make mistakes, and that’s okay as long as we learn from them. Overcoming impostor syndrome is an ongoing process, but these strategies have really helped me build my confidence and grow as a leader.
Rhett Stubbendeck, CEO & Co-Founder, Leverage Planning
Leverage Unique Experiences and Seek Feedback
Many of us experience imposter syndrome, particularly when we enter professions or fields where we first feel uncomfortable. I would be happy to discuss how I overcame these challenges early in my career.
Early on, I struggled with imposter syndrome, especially after I started Custom Neon. Since I skipped regular schooling and went straight into business, I often wondered if I was capable of doing the job and whether my position was worthy. Here’s how I overcame these uncertainties:
One significant turning point for me was realizing that my unique experiences and background were not shortcomings but strengths. Having dyslexia and dropping out of high school meant that I tackled challenges in a different way, but I eventually came to appreciate this. I was able to develop and envision answers that others might not have thought of because I accepted my own point of view. This change in perspective was essential to my confidence development.
I deliberately surrounded myself with reliable people who could offer honest feedback. It wasn’t enough to hear what I was doing well; I also needed to know where I needed to grow. Peers and mentors gave me constructive criticism that helped me improve my strategy and gave me confidence that I was headed in the right direction. Building strong relationships within my industry also reinforced my sense of belonging and validated my role as a leader.
I committed to a lifetime of learning in order to overcome imposter syndrome. Whether it was through reading up on the most recent developments in the industry, taking workshops, or speaking with experienced business owners, I made sure to never stop learning and developing. This unwavering commitment to my professional and personal growth has demonstrated to me that knowledge and talent are dynamic and always expanding.
Lastly, I discovered that it was beneficial to routinely consider my successes and the tangible outcomes of my work. This included celebrating milestones at Custom Neon, from successful product launches to positive customer feedback. By recognizing these successes, I was able to absorb my achievements and accept my rightful place in their accomplishment.
These techniques not only helped me in getting over my imposter syndrome, but they also helped me advance in my work. They served as a helpful reminder that self-doubt is a normal part of the process and can be a strong driving force for development.
Jake Munday, CEO/ Cofounder, Custom Neon
Prepare Meticulously and Focus on Results
Early in my career, imposter syndrome was a significant challenge, especially during the launch of Notice Ninja. I vividly remember the daunting process of pitching our SaaS platform to a room full of seasoned investors. The pressure was immense, and I constantly second-guessed my ability to deliver.
What helped me overcome this was meticulous preparation and leveraging my expertise from past successes. Prior to Notice Ninja, my role as Co-founder and VP at ANTS had given me a deep understanding of operational efficiency. By focusing on what I knew best—optimizing workflows and ensuring robust team dynamics—I was able to present confidently and secure crucial investment.
Another pivotal moment was integrating cutting-edge technology into Notice Ninja’s platform to automate tax notice workflows. The fear of whether our innovation would be accepted was intense, but I focused on data-driven results. We implemented the system for a few pilot clients, and within six months, their efficiency in managing tax notices improved by 40%, reducing manual errors by 30%. This tangible success not only validated our technology but also reinforced my confidence in our vision. Seeing positive client outcomes provided a significant boost, making me realize that our innovative approach was indeed valuable.
Mentorship and community involvement have also been crucial. I actively participated in programs that support women founders, finding inspiration and practical advice from fellow entrepreneurs. Discussing challenges and successes within this community revealed that imposter syndrome is a common hurdle. Engaging with peers and mentors who had overcome similar obstacles encouraged me to persist. Their feedback and encouragement reminded me that self-doubt is part of the journey, and continuous learning and adaptation are key to overcoming it.
Amanda Reineke, CEO & Co-Founder, NoticeNinja
Move Through Fear and Find Your Community
Early on in my career, I was invited to speak at my first creative conference, VenturePOP! It was the first time I had the opportunity to present my work to a larger audience. As you can imagine, it was really scary. Not only was I facing a fear of speaking in public, but I was also facing the fear of truly being in the spotlight and of finally being seen.
I was one of eight speakers, who were all way more established and well-known than I am, so in the days leading up to the conference, my Imposter Syndrome was running rampant. Here’s how I overcame it to speak at my first creative conference:
- I did it anyway.
We can feel paralyzed by moving forward into unknown territory, especially when our business is on the line. It’s not easy to step outside of our comfort zones, but that is where growth happens.
It can feel scary to grow a team, move to a brick-and-mortar space, give a speech, and raise our prices, but we have to keep moving through the fear we face and do it anyway. Because once we are on the other side, it never looks quite as scary again. Next time, it will be easier to say no to the client who truly isn’t the right fit, to add the third member to your team, to give a speech.
Working through our fear gives us the courage to step into our full potential.
- Breathing.
Whether you are going to a conference to meet new people or to hop on the stage and give a presentation, it can be nerve-wracking. What helped me in the month leading up to this next big step for me and my biz was to learn how to breathe deeply and breathe into my nervousness to allow for a sense of calm to enter my mindset and my body.
It’s remarkable how much a few deep breaths can change your demeanor and physiologically bring about a sense of calm and reduce anxiety.
When my heart was racing in the moments leading up to hitting the stage, I remembered this and breathed slowly and calmly. When it was my turn to walk up those steps, I felt in control. That feeling allowed me to relax into my body and trust myself that I knew everything I needed to do this presentation to the best of my ability, and I did just that.
- Found my people.
Even though the business owner journey can often feel lonely, you do not have to do it alone. Getting outside of your house and meeting fellow creatives in real life is a powerful tool to help you feel more connected and understood.
Maggie Gentry, Thought Partner & Digital Marketer, MaggieGentry
Show Up, Change Lives, and Live Purposefully
I’ve always been shy and resistant to putting myself out there. As I grew in my professional career, especially in the corporate world, I started realizing something. I was working very hard, but I didn’t have much to show for it. I felt like others were always stealing the show or taking credit for things I did.
Once I left that world and started working for myself, I realized two things very quickly:
- No one will ever know unless you show up and tell them about how great you are.
- There are lives that will not be changed for the better because you were too obsessed with what others thought of you—thoughts you can’t even prove to be true.
If you are acting with integrity and have the ability to change lives, the only imposter is the negative thoughts trying to take over your mindset. Don’t let them win. Don’t let the world stay the same. Show up. Change lives. Live your purpose!
Lauren Diana Scalf, Business Coach & Strategist, Soul Empowered with Lauren Diana
