You Don’t Have Imposter Syndrome. You’re a Leader in Learning Mode.

I have a ground rule with every new client I work with.

You are not allowed to say “I have imposter syndrome.”

Not once. Not ever.

I’m strict about this because it’s holding you back.

The term “Imposter Syndrome” was first coined in 1978 by two psychotherapists who observed that high-achieving professional women often doubted their own abilities and feared being exposed as a fraud.

Nearly 50 years later, we’re still using the term constantly, and for everything.

Got a new job? Imposter syndrome.

Got promoted? Imposter syndrome.

Walked into a big meeting feeling nervous? Imposter syndrome.

It’s time to retire the term.

Hear me when I say: You are not an imposter. You will never be an imposter. And you certainly don’t have a syndrome.

Why the Label Hurts More Than It Helps

Language matters. The words we use to describe ourselves shape how we see ourselves.

Persian poet Hafiz says it best, “The words you speak become the house you live in.”

When you tell yourself, “I have imposter syndrome,” you’re essentially reinforcing the belief that you don’t belong.

You’re treating self-doubt as a diagnosis, as something that’s happening *to* you, rather than something you have the power to change.

And that’s exactly the problem.

The label gives self-doubt a permanent home. It keeps people stuck instead of moving forward.

Try This Instead: “I Am in Learning Mode”

When I work with leaders who are feeling unsure of themselves, whether they’ve just been promoted, moved into a new role or taken on a bigger scope of responsibility, I ask them to replace “I have imposter syndrome” with something far more useful:

I am in learning mode.

Because that’s actually what’s happening.

When you step into something new, feeling nervous is normal.

Not having all the answers right away is normal.

Needing time to grow into the role is completely normal.

It doesn’t mean you’re a fraud. It means you’re human.

Remember Why You Got the Role

You weren’t promoted or hired by accident. There is a reason you were chosen. Someone saw something in you (your track record, your potential, your character) and made a deliberate decision to put you in that seat.

So instead of spending your energy questioning whether you belong, spend it figuring out what you need to learn. Ask yourself:

• What skills do I need to develop in this role?
• Who can I learn from?
• What’s one thing I can do this week to build my confidence?

Growth often comes with growing pains, and that’s not always comfortable. But by reframing the discomfort, you’re giving yourself the mental fortitude to step into this new version of yourself.

You were promoted for a reason. Embrace it, feel proud of yourself and the next time you catch yourself reaching for that tired old label, swap it out for something that actually moves you forward.

You’re not an imposter. You’re a leader in learning mode!

Thank you for sharing!

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