Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
- Christina Poulton
- Oct 30
- 5 min read
Why do I feel like I'm going to get 'found out'?
How can I feel more confident in my leadership?
How do I deal with imposter syndrome?
The headlines
Imposter syndrome is that creeping sense that any minute now, you’re going to get found out- someone’s going to realise you have no idea what you’re doing.
Lora Krasteva joined members of Sticky-note Squad (my email support for small organisations) for a free guest workshop on how to tackle some of those feelings. What I loved about Lora’s session is that it was a great combo of useful practical tips (which I’ll share below) but also like getting a cheerleading pep talk from a wise friend.
About Lora
Lora Krasteva is a NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Processing) practitioner, and a personal &
professional development coach.
She works to support other people to achieve their goals. She helps people navigate change, uncover their true voice and take the next steps to enact meaningful change in their professional careers.
Here’s what I took away from her brilliant session on understanding and overcoming imposter syndrome...
What Even Is Imposter Syndrome?
Lora shared that the term imposter syndrome first appeared in the 1970s, in a study of high-achieving women in academia.
Originally, it was called the “imposter phenomenon”, which is actually a better fit. A syndrome sounds like there’s something wrong with you- but this is a phenomenon. It’s something that happens to people, not something you have.
That small shift in language makes a difference.
Imposter syndrome is not a flaw or a failure. It’s a response to the world we live in, and it often shows up most in brilliant, high-achieving people. That’s not a coincidence.
Why It Happens
Lora explained that while imposter syndrome doesn’t discriminate, the systems we live and work in do. If you’re the only person like you in a meeting or workplace- in terms of background, identity, or experience- you’re far more likely to feel like you don’t belong or that you have to prove yourself.
That pressure can heighten feelings of being an imposter, even when you’re doing brilliantly.
It’s also worth knowing that imposter syndrome isn’t about actual ability. It’s about feelings and responses, not facts. It’s your mind’s way of trying to protect you.
Understanding Your Brain (and Why It Thinks There’s a Tiger Under Your Desk)
Our subconscious brain (what is often referred to as your reptilian brain - or some people say your caveperson brain) is designed to keep us alive. It constantly scans for danger. Thousands of years ago, that was handy when there really was a tiger hiding behind a bush.
Today, there’s rarely an actual tiger under the desk. But our brains still respond to psychological “danger” like giving a presentation, speaking up in a meeting, or taking on a new role as if it were life or death.
Feeling like an imposter and having a panic reaction is your body’s mental (and sometimes physical) response to perceived danger.
Practical Tools from Lora’s Workshop
Once you know what’s happening, you can start to interrupt it. Here are some of Lora’s top tips and techniques to help you quiet the imposter voice and get back in your power.
1. Check In: Is There Really a Tiger in the Room?
When you start feeling that familiar rush of self-doubt, pause and ask yourself: “What’s actually making me feel unsafe or out of my depth right now?”
Notice what’s happening in your body and mind. Are you tense? Sweating? Heart racing? Is it a response to something someone said? A look? The voice in your head?
Take a breath. Acknowledge it. And remind yourself: there is no tiger. You are safe.
2. Give the Inner Critic a Name
We think the critical or worried voice in our head is our own, but it isn’t really you. It’s just a protective mechanism that’s gone a bit overboard.
Lora shared that she calls hers Steve, who’s forever undermining and worrying. Someone else calls theirs Hilda, after a fretful aunt.
When you name that voice, you separate it from yourself. Next time it pipes up, you can calmly say, “Thanks, Hilda. I hear your worries, but I’ve got this.”
3. Build a Feel-Good File
I’ve started to do this one and it definitely helps. Create an evidence bank or “feel-good file”: somewhere to store positive feedback, proud moments, kind words, or reminders of things you’ve achieved.
It could be a notebook, a folder on your computer, a Notion board, or even sticky-notes on your wall.
When imposter feelings hit, go back and show yourself the evidence. You’ve done great things before. You’ll do great things again.
4. Create a Confident Persona
If your imposter voice has a name, then your confident self can too.
Think of Beyoncé creating Sasha Fierce: an alter ego she could step into on stage. Do your version of this.
Give your confident, capable self a name or an image. Step into that character when you need to present, lead, or speak up. It’s not faking it, it’s accessing another side of you that already exists.
5. Pattern Interruption: Break the Cycle
Once you’ve recognised what’s happening, do something different to interrupt the pattern:
Change your physical state: stand up, face the window, stretch, move, breathe deeply.
If you tense up before a meeting, consciously loosen your shoulders, unclench your jaw, shake out your hands.
When your body relaxes, it signals to your brain that you’re safe. Your body doesn’t know where to send the adrenaline and the stress response starts to fade.
6. Use NLP Anchors and Visualisation
From Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), an anchor is something that helps you return to a particular emotional state- calm, confident, focused- when you need it.
You create an anchor by pairing a physical action (like pressing your thumb and forefinger together) with a feeling (confidence or calm).If you repeat this when you’re feeling strong and confident, over time that gesture becomes a trigger, or a shortcut back to that feeling.
It’s a simple but powerful way to “remind” your body and brain that you’re capable.
You can also use visualisation: picture yourself succeeding at the thing you’re worried about. Imagine walking into the room, doing it well, and feeling proud. Or write it out. Describe in detail exactly how you smashed the meeting, solved the problem etc. Your brain will begin to believe it’s possible, because it is.
Bringing It All Together
Imposter syndrome is a phenomenon, not a flaw. It’s something that happens to you, not something that is you.
Lora’s reminder was simple but powerful:
“You are not your feelings — you are the person wisely noticing them.”
So next time your inner Hilda or Steve starts whispering doubts, remember: you’re not being found out, you’re perceptive.
Take a breath, find your anchor, and step into your power. You’ve got this.
What next?
Pick one of Lora’s tips and try it out: identify the situations where you feel like an imposter, create your characters for the negative voice in your head and your kick-ass power persona, or start your evidence-of-awesomeness bank.
If you want access to more guest workshops and free resources, join Sticky-note Squad- your regular dose of support on email, designed for small organisations and the brilliant people running them.
