Overcoming Impostor Syndrome for High Achievers

Ever felt like you’re one step away from being ‘found out’—like your accomplishments are just luck, and any minute now, everyone else will see the truth? In this episode, we’re unraveling the complex layers of impostor syndrome. We’ll explore why this feeling of fraudulence is so prevalent, especially among high achievers, and dive deep into its unexpected roots in capitalism, white supremacy, and patriarchal systems. This isn’t your typical conversation about overcoming self-doubt. We’re going beyond surface-level advice to examine how impostor syndrome actually serves as a tool to keep us small. By understanding where these feelings come from, we can start to break free from their hold and reclaim our power. Tune in to find out why you’re not alone, why you’re not a fraud, and how recognizing these deeper forces can shift everything. You won’t want to miss this one!

Overcoming Impostor Syndrome for High Achievers

Impostor syndrome: it’s a term that feels all too familiar for so many of us. It’s that voice that questions our worth, our skills, and our belonging, no matter how much we’ve achieved. For years, I thought I was the only one feeling this way. But then I learned it wasn’t just about my self-doubt—it was part of a much larger system of beliefs that keeps us all questioning ourselves.

Impostor syndrome isn’t just a personal issue. It’s a symptom of larger societal structures that have been around for decades and continue to shape our thoughts and behaviors. By exploring where this concept comes from and understanding the forces behind it, we can start to recognize impostor syndrome for what it is: a conditioned response to systems that were never meant to support us.

What Is Impostor Syndrome? A Brief Introduction

In 1978, psychologists Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes coined the term "impostor phenomenon" after studying high-achieving women who felt like frauds despite their accomplishments. These women, many of whom were at the top of their fields, harbored a persistent fear of being “found out.” Initially, Clance and Imes believed that impostor syndrome was primarily experienced by women. But as the phenomenon became more widely recognized, it became clear that anyone—regardless of gender, race, or background—could experience it.

Today, we know that while anyone can feel like an impostor, those from marginalized backgrounds are especially susceptible. This isn’t a coincidence; it’s a reflection of deeper social forces at play.

The Roots of Impostor Syndrome

1. Capitalism and the Myth of Meritocracy

At its core, capitalism thrives on the idea of meritocracy—that anyone can rise to the top if they work hard enough. This might sound inspiring, but it’s also incredibly misleading. When we’re taught that success is purely a result of personal effort, we start to believe that any setbacks or struggles are a reflection of our own shortcomings.

For those experiencing impostor syndrome, capitalism’s pressure to constantly prove our worth can be overwhelming. It fuels the belief that no matter how much we accomplish, there’s always a higher standard to meet. This mentality keeps us in a constant cycle of self-doubt, always striving for more and rarely feeling like we’ve done enough.

When I was leading my first group program, this pressure hit hard. People had paid for it, and I worried daily about whether they would feel like it was worth their investment. It didn’t matter that I had the knowledge and skills to guide them. The capitalist framework whispered, “What if you’re just not good enough?” Despite the program’s success and the positive transformations participants experienced, impostor syndrome told me I had to keep proving myself.

2. White Supremacy and the “Outsider” Experience

White supremacy further compounds impostor syndrome, particularly for people of color, by creating an environment where marginalized individuals often feel like outsiders. This feeling of “otherness” doesn’t just happen by chance—it’s baked into a society where whiteness has long been positioned as the norm and the ideal.

In predominantly white spaces, people of color may feel they need to work harder to prove they belong. When society subtly or overtly communicates that they don’t fit the mold, impostor syndrome flourishes. It says, “You’re only here by mistake,” or “You have to keep performing, or you’ll be found out.”

3. Patriarchy and Gender Expectations

Patriarchy reinforces impostor syndrome, especially for women, by imposing gendered expectations on how we “should” behave. In many ways, women are conditioned from a young age to be modest and humble, to downplay their accomplishments, and to prioritize others’ opinions over their own self-assessment. This conditioning often leads to an internalized sense that they’re never quite good enough.

When I was interviewed on a podcast for the first time, I remember thinking, “Who am I to be here? I don’t have anything unique to share.” That self-doubt wasn’t just about my own insecurities; it was the weight of a culture that’s consistently told women to be small and avoid taking up too much space. Even after the host shared that I’d been one of their most interesting guests, I found myself brushing off the compliment, as though I didn’t deserve it.

Patriarchy reinforces this type of thinking, particularly for women and non-binary people, making us feel like we’re trespassers in places we’ve worked hard to be.

Impostor Syndrome as a Tool of Oppression

Understanding how these systems work together to reinforce impostor syndrome is powerful. White supremacy, capitalism, and patriarchy are not isolated—they are interconnected, and together, they create an environment where feelings of inadequacy thrive. When we internalize the beliefs these systems uphold, we end up perpetuating them, doubting ourselves in ways that keep us from living fully and authentically.

This isn’t just a personal struggle; it’s a form of oppression that keeps us small, isolated, and constantly striving for validation. It convinces us that we must earn our worth and, by extension, distracts us from the ways these systems benefit from our self-doubt.

Reclaiming Our Power

What can we do in the face of such pervasive forces? Awareness is the first step. By understanding that impostor syndrome is not an isolated feeling but a product of larger societal structures, we can begin to unhook ourselves from its grip. This awareness helps us recognize that impostor syndrome doesn’t come from a place of personal inadequacy but rather from a culture that profits off our insecurities.

Next, we need to shift the narrative from “overcoming” impostor syndrome to actively rejecting the messages it sends us. The systems that created it will continue to reinforce it, but we can choose to interrupt the cycle. One way to do this is by affirming our own experiences and creating spaces where we support others in doing the same.

Over time, as we unlearn the conditioning of capitalism, white supremacy, and patriarchy, we can replace those voices of self-doubt with ones that celebrate our unique contributions. Yes, it’s a process, and no, it’s not easy. But by challenging the origins of impostor syndrome and reworking the stories we tell ourselves, we begin to dismantle the beliefs that hold us back.

Impostor syndrome may still show up—it probably will. But each time it does, we can remind ourselves that its roots are not in our own lack but in systems designed to keep us questioning our place. And as we start to see those roots for what they are, we’ll find that impostor syndrome loses a bit of its power. We’ll come to realize that we’re not just surviving in spaces that weren’t built for us; we’re creating new spaces where we truly belong.