Overcoming imposter syndrome

Imposter syndrome develops over years as a defence mechanism. It can often take an equal amount of time to move beyond it

Michaela Smith’s journey with imposter syndrome

Michaela Smith, a leadership coach specialising in imposter syndrome, understands firsthand how deeply it can impact professionals. As a former Marketing Director, she battled imposter syndrome for years, experiencing anxiety and panic attacks that affected both her work and personal life.

‘I was achieving professionally, but I didn’t believe in myself,’ Michaela recalls. ‘Everyone else believed in me, except me. I was surrounded by men in leadership roles and I just thought I was weak. From 2012 to 2017, we didn’t even talk about imposter syndrome. It wasn’t a term that was widely recognised, and I felt ashamed of my struggles.’

Michaela will be speaking at the Help to Grow: Management Alumni Network National Conference on Thursday 27th March. Find out more and register

Eventually, the pressure became overwhelming. ‘In 2017, I was unable to function. I had to look for a coach. I had spent years delivering results, yet inside, I was constantly battling this inner voice telling me I wasn’t good enough. No matter how much I achieved, I felt like a fraud, like I was going to be found out.’

Finding the right coach took time, but the experience was transformative. ‘It took me two years to overcome it with coaching. And when I looked around, I realised almost all my colleagues were struggling with the same thing. That’s when I became passionate about helping others. Three years ago, I left the corporate world to do exactly that. Now, I work with SMEs and corporates, helping people who are already achieving but still struggling internally.’

What is imposter syndrome and how does it affect leaders?

Imposter syndrome is a persistent belief that success is undeserved, despite external validation. It disproportionately affects high-achievers who feel compelled to prove themselves while secretly fearing they will be ‘found out.’

Michaela explains that imposter syndrome manifests in three ways:

1. Physiological symptoms: ‘if you find yourself feeling tension before meetings, having hot flushes, feeling unusually cold—these are physical signs of imposter syndrome.’
2. Emotional reactions: ‘anxiety, fear of failure, heightened emotions become the norm. You’re in fight-or-flight mode, constantly scared of consequences.’
3. Mental barriers: ‘you hear that voice in your head, “who am I to be here?” “They’ll discover I’m not capable.” These thoughts become a loop, reinforcing self-doubt.’

While imposter syndrome may initially drive success, it comes at a cost. Left unchecked, it leads to burnout, decreased quality of life, and even dissociation in high-pressure situations. ‘Some people say you need imposter syndrome to perform. But the truth is, those who say this have never experienced it in its fullest. You do not need imposter syndrome to drive results. People actually perform better when they are authentically connected and can make mistakes. Imposter syndrome forces us to push forward out of fear rather than creativity and confidence.’

How the SMART technique helps overcome imposter syndrome

Michaela utilises the SMART approach from the Immunity to Change Framework (different from the commonly known SMART acronym) to help clients rewire their subconscious beliefs and build confidence gradually. This neuroscience-backed technique created by two Harvard Graduate School of Education faculty members focuses on:

• S – Small: ‘we won’t present the whole deck first. We’ll do smaller steps. Start with a small, manageable action.’
• M – Modest: ‘set modest goals. Don’t put pressure on yourself to do everything at once. A gradual approach ensures sustainable progress.’
• A – Action: ‘take actionable steps to challenge limiting beliefs. Confidence grows through doing, not just thinking.’
• R – Research: ‘our brains are evidence-based. If I spoke in a meeting and the outcome was positive, I need to remind my brain of that success.’
• T – Timely: ‘we need to do this consistently. This is about neuroscience, we’re rewiring our neural pathways, and it has to be done gradually.’

By following these steps, professionals can train their nervous system to recognise safe environments, breaking the cycle of fear-based decision-making.

The path to confidence and authentic leadership

Overcoming imposter syndrome isn’t an overnight process, it requires deep self-awareness and patience. Michaela’s coaching helps clients uncover past experiences that shaped their self-perception, allowing them to rebuild confidence on a solid foundation.

‘Self-doubt is normal when learning new skills,’ she says. ‘But imposter syndrome is different, it’s the persistent belief that no achievement will ever be enough. The key is to unlearn those patterns and trust in yourself. It’s not about becoming someone new, it’s about rediscovering the confidence you always had.’

Ultimately, imposter syndrome is a protective mechanism developed over time. With the right tools and support, professionals can move beyond it, stepping into their full potential with confidence and authenticity.

For those ready to take the first step, Michaela offers a free 90-minute session to assess their readiness for coaching. However, she emphasises that true change requires commitment: ‘You have to be willing to take an honest look at yourself. Transformation happens when you are open to growth.’

Michaela will be speaking at the Help to Grow: Management Alumni Network National Conference on Thursday 27th March. Find out more and register

Latest articles