‍Well, that’s what we call Impostor Syndrome.

In short, it’s a powerful feeling of not deserving your success, no matter your skills or accomplishments. This syndrome is particularly common among women—yes, it seems we’re often more inclined to doubt our legitimacy in competitive professional environments.

We feel like “impostors,” afraid that one day we’ll be “exposed.”

But how can we overcome this phenomenon and unleash our full potential? Today, I’m sharing a few concrete tips!

1. Recognize and put words to impostor syndrome

The first step to defeating impostor syndrome? Acknowledge that you experience it. Often, it hides in the background, fueled by negative thoughts. Once you identify this feeling, you can begin to confront it.

My advice: don’t hesitate to talk about it with someone you trust. Putting words to your doubts helps you understand them and, as a result, manage them more effectively.

And most importantly, you’ll realize you’re not alone—many women share these same thoughts!

2. Shift your perspective on failure and success

Women experiencing impostor syndrome often minimize their achievements and exaggerate their mistakes. It’s as if our successes are never big enough, while our failures feel overwhelming.

Why not start by changing the lens through which you see them? Failures are opportunities to learn—not proof of incompetence. On the contrary, you tried, you gave your best, and now you can anticipate mistakes to avoid in the future. That’s already a big step toward success!

Many companies and startups now encourage a “fail fast, learn fast” culture. So, there’s no reason to fear failure!

3. You don’t have to know it all—and that’s OK!

We often feel uncomfortable when we don’t know something. Even if you’re an expert in your field, it’s perfectly normal not to know everything! Otherwise, there’d be no room to grow. This is especially true in industries that evolve constantly, like tech.

I remember putting enormous pressure on myself at the start of my career because I didn’t know how to use a marketing tool. Very quickly, I realized it was OK—and that others were much better at it than me. That’s the beauty of teamwork.

So, if you find yourself in that situation, you have two options.

See it as an opportunity to learn, train, and grow your skills.
Or accept that it’s not your strength, discuss it with your manager or team, and ask a colleague who enjoys it to step in.

4. Celebrate your successes—without waiting for approval

Have you reached one of your goals? Don’t wait—celebrate it! Too often, women wait for external validation before recognizing their own value.

Depending on positive feedback to feel legitimate can fuel impostor syndrome. Just because your manager doesn’t regularly praise your work doesn’t mean you’re not competent.

So, make it a habit to write down your big and small wins. That way, you’ll never forget your value.

5. Surround yourself with people who lift you up

In general, it’s essential to be around positive people who recognize your value and help you grow. In the workplace, this is even more crucial, because your environment can shape your professional growth.

My advice: identify role models, whether women or men, and connect with them. If the relationship allows, ask one of them to be your mentor. You’ll benefit from their experience and gain confidence.

Personally, I’ve always been part of the women@ networks in the companies I worked at. It allowed me to meet inspiring women with diverse backgrounds, and I realized we all share the same challenges. That perspective alone was a relief!

In conclusion

Don’t worry if you experience impostor syndrome, it’s not a life sentence, and many women go through it.

What matters most is recognizing it and adopting the right strategies to rebuild your confidence.

So, the next time you feel that impostor syndrome creeping in, remember this: you are where you are because you’ve earned it, and because you are skilled. You’re not a fraud, you’re living proof of your own excellence. 😉

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