Imposter Syndrome: Why Capable People Feel Like Frauds (and What Helps)

Picture Adaeze. She finally lands the job at a big multinational on Victoria Island. In her first meeting, she looks around a room full of foreign degrees and polished accents and thinks, “Somebody made a mistake. Once they find out I schooled in Nsukka, they’ll send me packing.” Six months later, she is one of the best performers on her team, and she still feels like a fraud. That feeling has a name.

Imposter syndrome, or the imposter phenomenon, is the persistent feeling that you are not as competent as other people believe, and that you will eventually be “found out”, even when there is clear evidence of your ability. It is not a medical diagnosis, but it is very common, especially among high achievers, people starting new roles, and people who are “the first” in their family or workplace to reach a certain level.

Common signs of imposter syndrome

• Crediting your success to luck, timing, or “knowing the right people”.
• Over-preparing or overworking so nobody discovers your “gaps”.
• Downplaying praise or feeling uncomfortable when you are recognised.
• Holding back from applying for promotions until you meet 100% of the requirements.
• Comparing your behind-the-scenes struggles with other people’s highlight reels.

Why it happens

Imposter feelings often grow from a mix of perfectionism, early messages about achievement (for example, being labelled “the smart one”), and environments where you feel different from the majority. Research reviews, such as Bravata and colleagues’ 2020 systematic review in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, found that imposter feelings are common across professions and are associated with anxiety, depression and burnout.

For many young Nigerians moving into multinationals, tech companies or roles abroad, the feeling can be amplified by accent, background or being the only person from a particular university or state in the room.

Practical ways to manage imposter syndrome

1. Keep an evidence file

Save positive feedback, results and completed projects in one folder. When the fraud feeling appears, review facts rather than feelings.

2. Name it out loud

Talking to trusted colleagues or mentors often reveals that they feel the same. Shared experience reduces shame.

3. Reframe discomfort as growth

Feeling out of your depth often means you are stretching. That is exactly what a growth mindset encourages.

4. Separate feelings from facts

“I feel like I don’t belong” is not the same as “I don’t belong”. You were hired or selected through a process that assessed you.

5. Aim for excellence, not perfection

Set a clear “good enough” standard for each task and stop there. Perfectionism feeds the cycle of overwork and fear.

6. Accept praise simply

Practise saying “Thank you” without adding “it was nothing” or “I was lucky”.

7. Seek support if it affects your health

If imposter feelings come with ongoing anxiety, low mood or sleep problems, talk to a licensed therapist or counsellor.

Frequently asked questions

Is imposter syndrome a mental illness?

No. It is not a diagnosis in the DSM-5 or ICD-11. It is a recognised pattern of thinking that can, however, contribute to anxiety and burnout.

Who experiences imposter syndrome?

People of every gender, age and profession. It is especially common during transitions like a new job, promotion, or starting a business.

Does imposter syndrome ever go away?

For many people it becomes quieter with experience and deliberate practice, though it may return in new situations.

Related reading

• How to overcome the fear of failure
• Burnout: signs, causes and recovery
• Your mates are ahead? How to stop comparing

Sources

• Clance, P. R., & Imes, S. A. (1978). The imposter phenomenon in high achieving women: Dynamics and therapeutic intervention. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research & Practice, 15(3), 241–247.
• Bravata, D. M., et al. (2020). Prevalence, predictors, and treatment of impostor syndrome: A systematic review. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 35(4), 1252–1275.

Written and fact-checked by the Mindset.ng Editorial Team in line with our Editorial Policy. For general information only. Last updated: 23 September 2026.