Zoe Goodhardt.
Picture this: you’re at a career panel discussion, workshop or networking event for women and someone asks a question about confidence and the answer inevitably pivots to imposter syndrome.
This is a scene that plays out far too often. It’s as though admitting you don’t feel like you belong is a prerequisite for being a working woman. But here’s my question: why?
Why is it that, as women, we’re expected to frame our confidence in the workplace through the lens of doubt and inadequacy? Why is imposter syndrome treated as an obligatory rite of passage rather than a flawed concept to dismantle?
I’ll never forget the time I attended a career panel aimed at women. The discussion was billed as a roadmap to success, yet it became a deep dive into imposter syndrome. Speaker after speaker shared how they struggled with feeling unworthy and out of place.
As I sat there in the audience, I couldn’t relate at all. I wasn’t feeling inadequate. I wasn’t doubting my abilities or afraid of being ‘found out’. It wasn’t because I thought I was perfect – I’ll happily admit that I’m not good at everything. It was because I’ve always believed I can learn anything I want to.
Why is imposter syndrome treated as an obligatory rite of passage rather than a flawed concept to dismantle?
For me, confidence isn’t about pretending to know it all. It’s about not being afraid to fail. Failure is simply feedback. It’s a chance to tweak, improve and grow. That’s why I disagree with the cultural narrative that women must battle imposter syndrome. Confidence doesn’t have to be hard-won or tied to shame. It can simply be a part of how we show up.
Why then, do so many women downplay their success and lean into imposter syndrome when sharing their story? Well, let’s first acknowledge that some women do feel this way because of external factors like sexism, racism and exclusionary workplace cultures. Another big part of it comes down to societal expectations. Women have been conditioned to downplay their achievements, so they don’t come across as arrogant or unlikeable.
When I look back at the panel, I see how this played out. The speakers seemed obliged to share their struggles with imposter syndrome in order to connect with the audience. It’s almost as though not feeling insecure would’ve made them seem out of touch or intimidating.
Situations like this reinforce the problematic idea that women should doubt their skills. It then becomes taboo for women to proudly celebrate their professional success.
This needs to change.
On future panels, we need to ask women what they’re proud of and what they bring to the table. We need to create a culture where women feel empowered to unapologetically own their success. It’s time to stop romanticising self-doubt and retire imposter syndrome for good.
