Rob was always at the top. He had been “the winner”—a standout athlete, a top student through school, excelling in college, and quickly rising to become one of the best engineers on his team. But when he was promoted to lead the same team he’d recently worked alongside, for the first time, Rob felt out of place. Wearing the “manager” hat felt different.
During our coaching sessions, Rob opened up about his dilemmas and fears. Together, we recognized that his performance might be slipping under the weight of persistent self-doubt. Rob felt isolated and even ashamed, grappling with inadequacy in a way he never had before. He mentioned sleep troubles and experienced a racing heart and sweating during management meetings—signs of anxiety he initially thought were just stress. These symptoms were new for him, yet they’re surprisingly common; nearly half of my clients report similar feelings.
Many assume imposter syndrome only affects newcomers, yet it often strikes professionals as well. Expert imposter syndrome impacts experienced individuals who feel pressured to “know everything.” Even after years of achievements, they begin questioning their abilities and wonder if they truly belong among their peers. In fact, career advancement, like a promotion to management, can be a major trigger for imposter syndrome.
What Is Expert Imposter Syndrome?
The term Impostor Syndrome is used to designate an internal experience of intellectual phoniness, that appears to be particularly prevalent and intense among a select sample of high achieving people, which despite their profound accomplishments, perceive themselves as less capable, hindering their sense of success.
Expert imposter syndrome is a type of imposter syndrome that affects highly experienced individuals. Although others view them as authorities in their fields, they often feel they’re “not expert enough” and worry they’ll eventually be exposed as less capable than expected. This self-doubt can arise from high expectations, a tendency to overthink, and the pressure to maintain a flawless professional image.
Rob is a great example. Throughout his career, he had always been the “expert,” excelling in every role and quickly becoming the top engineer on his team. This success led his managers to promote him, confident he would thrive in a leadership role. But when he transitioned to management, Rob suddenly felt like a fraud, as though others might soon discover he was only pretending to know what he was doing. His fear of not having all the answers about management kept him from feeling like the capable leader his team believed him to be, deepening his sense of imposter syndrome.
Rob’s experience illustrates how even accomplished individuals can feel inadequate when stepping into new roles. His story highlights the inner conflict that arises when someone moves from a position of established expertise to an area where they feel less certain—a common scenario in expert imposter syndrome.
Common Symptoms of Expert Imposter Syndrome:
Doubting Achievements: Believing that their successes are the result of luck or timing rather than actual skill or expertise.
Setting Extremely High Standards: Feeling that even a minor mistake signals incompetence and setting near-impossible standards for themselves.
Fear of Exposure: Constantly worrying that peers or superiors will discover they’re not as competent as they seem.
Avoiding Challenges: Shying away from new opportunities out of fear they’ll fail or fall short of expectations.
These patterns often hold back highly skilled professionals from reaching their full potential by fueling unnecessary self-doubt and anxiety. Let me know if you can relate to one 😊
Strategies for Overcoming Expert Imposter Syndrome
Working with Rob, and many more in my clinic, apart from naming what we feels, and normalize it as 70% out of the population will have imposter symptoms in their lives, we are focusing on what to do?
Reframe the Role of Expertise:
Recognize that even experts are constantly learning. Embrace a growth mindset and view new challenges as opportunities for growth, not as tests of worth. Even if you know exactly what your employees are doing, now you are wearing a new hat.
Seek Constructive Feedback:
Gain valuable perspective by asking for feedback from trusted colleagues or mentors. Often, their positive insights serve as a reality check, helping to counter self-doubt. Use specific models and ask targeted questions to get meaningful input. It’s always encouraging to hear how surprised people are by the positive feedback—they may even highlight strengths you hadn’t fully recognized.
Set Realistic Expectations:
Shift your mindset from needing to be “perfect” to focusing on continuous growth and improvement. Accept that even the most skilled professionals make mistakes—learning from them is what matters. Just like winning an NBA championship requires winning many challenging playoff games, true success is built over time, one step at a time.
4. Celebrate Successes and Milestones:
Reflect on achievements regularly, acknowledging that past successes are not just “luck.” Keeping a record of positive feedback and accomplishments can reinforce self-worth.
Recognize the Value of Vulnerability:
Opening up about insecurities with peers can lead to meaningful conversations and support. Many experienced professionals have felt similarly, and realizing you’re not alone can be incredibly empowering. Even top leaders and influencers have publicly shared their struggles with self-doubt, showing that vulnerability is not a weakness but a path to greater connection and growth.
To Conclude
Rob is one of many. Becoming a manager for the first time is challenging, especially when you’re used to being the “rock star.” Shifting from expert to leader can shake up your self-perception. Expert imposter syndrome is more common than people realize, especially among high achievers. By learning to acknowledge and manage these feelings, you can rebuild confidence, foster career growth, and set realistic expectations. True expertise isn’t about knowing everything; it’s about having the resilience and openness to keep learning. Embracing this mindset helps move past self-doubt and toward greater satisfaction in your role.
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