You're crushing it. So, why the doubt?

If so, you’re in good company. Around 70% of people experience so-called “imposter syndrome” at some point — even Albert Einstein labeled himself an “involuntary swindler.”

So, if the very people who epitomize “making it” can still feel like they’re faking it, what exactly is going on here?

We spoke with Eleanor Williams (Ellie), Principal Behavioral Scientist at EZRA, to get her take on why imposter feelings show up, and how you can ensure they don’t make themselves at home.

What imposter syndrome really isn’t

“I don’t really like the term ‘imposter syndrome’,” Ellie tells us.

And it’s easy to see why.

Syndrome sounds so… clinical. Pathological. A flaw or condition rather than a normal human response to times of stretch and growth.

“A past, and very lovely, boss of mine once coined it ‘imposter phenomenon’,” she adds, “And that’s really stuck with me.”

Phenomenon is better. Phenomenon shifts the emphasis away from identity and toward experience. From something you are to something you have.

What imposter phenomenon really is

“Imposter phenomenon isn’t about a lack of capability,” Ellie explains. Rather, “It’s where you don’t trust your capabilities.”

Externalizing wins but internalizing failures. Dismissing your highlight reel as coincidence and taking your bloopers as gospel truth.

Imposter phenomenon is what happens when our inner critic climbs into the director’s chair, grabs the megaphone, and starts calling all the shots.

How to stop your inner critic running the show

But even the most melodramatic directors can be overruled, if you know when to shout cut.

Name it to tame it

“Start by naming what’s happening,” Ellie advises.

Labeling the experience shifts it out of the amygdala — your brain’s emotional smoke alarm, brilliant in crisis but prone to shrieking at burnt toast — and into the prefrontal cortex, an area of the brain better equipped for nuance, evidence, and perspective.

Separate feelings from facts

“Imposter phenomenon is very persuasive, but it’s not based on fact,” Ellie points out.

While your feelings are very real, they’re not always reliable narrators. So, hit pause, step back, and ask: “What evidence do you have?” Often, the argument collapses under cross-examination.

Keep a “proof file”

When self-doubt does creep in, “Look over past feedback, outcomes, and progress,” Ellie suggests.

Try keeping a “success file” of achievements, positive feedback, and milestones — your very own Museum of Competence. When confidence wobbles, take a guided tour.

Practice self-talk audits

It’s all about finding a way to, “rebalance the story we tell ourselves,” Ellie stresses.

So, call out permanent language like “I’m bad at this,” that turns fleeting moments into a life sentence, and rewrite the script to say, “I’m still learning this part,” instead.

Same scene. Whole different plotline.

How organizations can help

Some organizational environments can act as the perfect breeding ground for imposter feelings. Mix vague expectations, silence about performance, and a steady dose of comparison, and you’ve got a petri dish of self-doubt on your hands.

And that kind of culture spreads fast.

Cultivate the right practices, though, and you can inoculate the whole organization against its ill effects

Give frequent feedback

“Clear, specific, timely feedback is probably the biggest lever,” Ellie believes.

In its absence, people tend to fill the gaps themselves. Often with worst-case stories. Regular check-ins, clarity on what “good” looks like, and recognition of progress stop doubt from festering.

Foster psychological safety

“Imposter feelings often thrive in isolation,” Ellie points out.

Transparency helps — it kills the illusion that everyone else finds everything easy and reminds us we’re all human behind the scenes.

“Psychological safety can feel like an overused term, but I believe it really does matter when it comes to reducing unnecessary self-doubt,” she adds.

Reward growth, not heroics

“When long hours or heroic individual efforts are praised, it’s easy to start to question whether your own contribution is enough,” Ellie says.

It can feel like auditioning for a role you had no hope of being cast in.

“Shifting the focus towards learning and skill development sends a very different message,” she adds.

Spotlight growth instead. And embrace the inevitability of a few outtakes along the way.

Step out of the wings

Feeling like an imposter isn’t a sign you’re out of your depth — it’s usually a sign you’re expanding it. And that inner critic? Sure, it loves a bit of drama, but there’s no reason for it to have the lead role.

So, step out of the wings and take your place on center stage. And when that flicker of doubt appears, remind yourself: the spotlight didn’t land on you by accident. You’re exactly where you’re meant to be.