I consider myself fortunate to work alongside some of the most capable and accomplished professionals and yet, regardless of seniority or experience, the same question often lingers quietly in the background:“Am I good enough for this?”For those of you who know me, you know my thoughts on the imposter syndrome label, so I shall refrain from commenting here. For those who are new here, welcome, and please see the link to my previous emails below. Most professionals question their ability when they’re confronted with new challenges. We forget how much we’ve learned to get where we are, and think we should probably know everything when given the new promotion, new project, role at a new firm, new client, new team…you get my point! We attend events where we’re told everyone can relate to our insecurities and we’re not alone. We receive articles on how we can accept and overcome these feelings. Whilst this support should be celebrated, when we read and hear the same message over and over, we can take on that narrative as our own. A safe label to hide behind. This is not just a problem for women. I work with the most impressive men who feel the same but show it in a different way. If you’re willing to have an open mind, I want to challenge that narrative. Recently, a very impressive litigator shared this exact feeling with me. When I asked her why she believed she had “snuck in,” she paused — because the reality didn’t match the story. She had gone through the interview process. She had strong credentials. She had experience. She had been chosen. For who she was and the skills and insights she could bring. Nothing about that is accidental. And yet, she had absorbed this idea as though it were something to accept rather than question. This is where I think we need to be careful. When we repeatedly hear narratives about self-doubt, imposter syndrome, or “not belonging,” they can start to feel like truths — even when they don’t reflect our actual experience. They become borrowed beliefs. But the reality is: You didn’t sneak in.
You were selected. You’re not waiting to be found out.
You’re in the process of learning, growing, and building capability, just like everyone else. There is a significant difference between humility (recognising there is always more to learn) and self-doubt (questioning whether you deserve to be here at all). One helps you grow.
The other holds you back. So rather than asking yourself:
“Do I deserve to be here?” A more useful question is:
“How do I really feel?” or “How do I want to show up now that I am here?” Because you are here and that part is already decided. My encouragement to you is this: be mindful of the narratives you adopt. Not every widely shared thought is a helpful one. Some keep people stuck in doubt rather than moving forward with clarity and confidence. You’ve earned your place. Stand in it.
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