IMPOSTER SYNDROME - Self expression is In: Shrinking yourself is Out

Of the many exhausting lies we tell ourselves, the most persistent is the one that says: you don't belong here. It’s the silent, constant hum of the Imposter Syndrome phenomenon, a crippling doubt that convinces you your success is just a lucky break, that your intelligence is overstated, and that, eventually, you'll be "found out." Today, this feeling isn't an isolated anxiety; for many professionals, it’s the psychological cost of navigating an environment that constantly questions your competence.

We are talking about imposterization - where the pressure to be exceptional, yet unobtrusive, is a deliberate, structural strain. In this state you end up spending your brilliance trying to make yourself smaller instead of letting it fuel the work you were hired to do. This pressure is amplified by cultural and organizational expectations that demand constant composure, over-preparation, and flawless performance. Studies show that holding tightly to this ideal is associated with poorer mental health outcomes. You are taught to over-prepare, over-perform, and never falter  - classic imposter behaviors - while working within systems that are often quicker to question your success than to celebrate it.

The challenge, then, is not only personal but structural. Many workplaces still reward conformity over creativity, mistaking sameness for professionalism. This quiet pressure discourages individuality and flattens the very perspectives that drive innovation. When brilliance is filtered through fear, everyone loses: the individual, the team, and the organization. True inclusion begins when difference is no longer managed, but valued as the source of fresh thinking and emotional intelligence that modern workplaces desperately need.

Radical Self-Acceptance is the only real way out of imposterization. When you stop performing, when you stop translating yourself to fit someone else’s mold, something remarkable happens: the gap between your professional self and your personal self begins to close. When your cadence, your humour, and your full personality show up in the boardroom, you create a presence that’s unmistakably authentic. Research consistently links authenticity with greater mental well-being, but its power goes beyond psychology; it commands respect. You’re not pretending to belong. You’re standing in the truth that you already do.

Imposter syndrome, and the constant performance it demands, is slowly becoming a relic of the past. The professional world is shifting and what once required mimicry now calls for authenticity. Self-expression is in; shrinking yourself is out. The most successful people aren’t those who master the art of blending in, but those who dare to show up as they are. When you lead with honesty and presence, you attract allies, mentors, and collaborators who want to see you grow. Especially at the start of your career, being real opens doors faster than being perfect ever could.

The truth is, authenticity has its own gravity. It draws people in. It builds trust. And it creates the kind of professional relationships that last because they’re rooted in something genuine. We’re learning that confidence doesn’t come from performing competence, it comes from being comfortable in your own skin. The new era of work isn’t asking you to fit the mold; it’s inviting you to bring your whole self to the table. That’s not rebellion anymore. That’s progress.