Woman Presenting With Wording 'Do I Have Imposter Syndrome?'

Lately, I’ve noticed more and more professionals coming to me for coaching because their confidence or self-esteem isn’t what it used to be. Maybe, like them, you’ve been wondering if Imposter Syndrome is affecting you. That’s why I created the Do I Have Imposter Syndrome Quiz, a quick way to see whether Imposter Syndrome is impacting you, and to what extent.

You have two choices: you can dive in and take the quiz right now by clicking the button, or you can read a little more below about Imposter Syndrome first.

What Is Imposter Syndrome and How Does It Affect Your Confidence?

There are many definitions of Imposter Syndrome, but I think the simplest way to think of it is ‘believing that you’re not as competent, skilled, or successful as others perceive you to be’.

For example, you may believe that your colleagues are more skilled or have better qualifications than you. I’ve had clients tell me they feel like the odd one out, questioning how they even got into their role in the first place.

Having coached numerous professionals through Imposter Syndrome it has been interesting to note that the further ahead in your career, or the more responsibilities you take on, the more severe or disabling the symptoms can become. However, feeling this way is not exclusively limited to those further on in their career.

So, let’s take a quick look at who can get it, how you know if you have it, and what you can do to address it.

Fione Spence Take The Imposter Syndrome Quiz

Who Gets Imposter Syndrome and Why?

Many people think Imposter Syndrome is something that only affects those in a career with high responsibility or those who have struggled with self-belief in the past, but the reality is that it can affect anyone, regardless of their experience or qualifications. Because it is rooted in your relationship with yourself, it doesn’t discriminate.

Although Imposter Syndrome can affect anyone, there are some recurrent examples I see time and time again in coaching. In a professional setting, these are commonly during times of change or appraisal, such as:

• landing a new job or changing your role
• taking on additional tasks or responsibilities
• gaining a promotion
• moving to a different team or becoming a team leader
• when you have achieved an impressive success
• when you are distinguished for your efforts or win awards

Read on to learn how common this phenomenon truly is and how it may be affecting your life. If you also have ADHD, you can dive deeper into
the connection between Imposter Syndrome and ADHD in this article.

How Common is Imposter Syndrome?

Far more common than you might think! Whether you’re a new professional or a proven leader, you’re not alone if you feel like everyone else around you has it together. In fact, studies suggest that around 70% of people experience Imposter Syndrome at some point in their careers. This means that if you’re feeling this way and covering up your feelings, it makes sense that other people may also be doing the exact same thing.

Recently, I was coaching a General Manager who felt like she couldn’t live up to the role she was in because she didn’t have experience in that industry. After her session with me, she started to share her story with others and was surprised at how many of the people she had been looking up to as her mentors admitted to having feelings of Imposter Syndrome.

Is Social Media Feeding Your Imposter Syndrome?

Social media can easily stir up feelings of being an imposter. Platforms like LinkedIn often show only the highlights of other people’s careers, their promotions, awards, and achievements. When you compare these curated moments to your daily challenges, it’s easy to feel like you don’t measure up. You might catch yourself thinking, “Everyone else seems to have it all together,” even when that’s far from the truth.

A study by Ben Marder and colleagues found that heavy LinkedIn use can increase imposter thoughts, especially for those prone to perfectionism or low self-esteem. The more you scroll through professional updates, the easier it becomes to focus on what you think you’re lacking. It’s a reminder that disconnecting now and then and focusing on real-world connections can help you find balance and put things into perspective.

Hands Pointing At A Laptop Screen
Man Struggling With Perfectionism

Perfectionism and Imposter Syndrome

If you’ve ever found yourself chasing perfection, you’re not alone. Perfectionism is a pattern I often see in people dealing with imposter syndrome. It’s not just about wanting to do well, it’s about avoiding any mistakes to prove, mostly to yourself, that you really belong.

Take John (not his real name), for example. When he got promoted, instead of feeling proud, he panicked. He believed his boss had overestimated him, so he started setting sky-high standards. Soon, he was working late every night, obsessing over details and missing deadlines in the process. It wasn’t long before sleepless nights took their toll, and that’s when John reached out to me.

Once John let go of the idea that everything had to be perfect, life became a lot easier and he started thriving in his new role.

How Does Imposter Syndrome Connect to Mental Health?

Imposter Syndrome doesn’t just stay in the workplace. It can affect your mental health, leaving you drained and overwhelmed. When you constantly doubt your abilities, the mental load of keeping up appearances can lead to burnout. It’s like running a marathon with no finish line. You feel exhausted but still keep pushing yourself to keep going.

This pressure often overlaps with anxiety or depression. You might feel like you’re always “on,” second-guessing yourself even when everything is going well.

While these feelings can be overwhelming for anyone, for those with ADHD, the complexities of Imposter Syndrome can add an extra layer of challenge.

Imposter Syndrome Coaching: Free Clarity Call

Get a free clarity call - Narcissistic Abuse Breakthrough Coaching with Fiona Spence

If you’re curious about how coaching could help you overcome Imposter Syndrome and move past self-doubt, I’d love to have a conversation with you. In this obligation-free chat, we’ll explore your challenges, see what’s holding you back, and decide if coaching could be the right next step for you.

Click the button below to book your chat. I look forward to supporting you in gaining clarity and confidence in your life and career.

Understanding Your Imposter Syndrome Quiz Results – Do I Have Imposter Syndrome?

Now that you’ve completed the quiz and thought deeply about your own approach to work, tally up your results and read through the most appropriate answer below:

Mostly A Quiz Answers

Mostly ‘A’ answers: You have Imposter Syndrome and may have had it for some time now. Perhaps you suffer from depression and anxiety. You’re almost certainly experiencing strong feelings of self-doubt and fear in your work and possibly other areas of life. You may feel as though you’re on the verge of being exposed as a fraud, no matter how much you accomplish or how capable you truly are.

In short, feelings of not being good enough and fear of being found out are overwhelming your ability to enjoy and trust in your achievements. This mindset could be leaving you emotionally drained and constantly feeling like you have to prove yourself, even when you’ve already proven your worth. Speaking with a professional to sort through these feelings may help you to break the cycle.

B Answers Imposter Syndrome Quiz

Mostly ‘B’ answers: You’re experiencing Imposter Syndrome, where self-doubt is persistent and often overwhelming. You often worry about your competence and fear being exposed as less capable than others think, but you still push through responsibilities and tasks, albeit with hesitation. You are performing well in your role, but you still worry about not doing enough or meeting expectations.

You may spend extra, unnecessary energy trying to avoid mistakes or overthinking your work, which could be leading you down a path to self-questioning and a loss of confidence. It may be helpful to reach out to a professional for more support before Imposter Syndrome becomes unmanageable in your day-to-day life.

C Answers Imposter Syndrome Quiz
Mostly ‘C’ answers: You’re experiencing some traits connected with Imposter Syndrome, but these might just be normal levels of self-doubt. Do you notice these more during times of high pressure or heightened responsibility? For the most part, you’re functioning well, but it seems like you sometimes experience professional insecurity. If this is the case, you may want to find a professional to talk through to reassure you and help strengthen your ability to cope with the bigger challenges that take you out of your comfort zone.
D Answers Imposter Syndrome Quiz

Mostly ‘D’ answers: It’s very unlikely that you have Imposter Syndrome. You have a strong sense of self-confidence and feel capable in your work and life. You embrace challenges and opportunities with a positive attitude, trusting that you have the skills and experience to succeed. Just be aware, for yourself and those you manage, the more successes you have, the greater the chance that insecurities might crop up.

So, keep an eye on that great level of confidence you currently have and check in every now and again that you are still trusting your abilities. If you find you’re starting to second guess yourself, holding back on speaking up, or avoiding stepping out of your comfort zone, don’t hesitate to talk to someone so that you can nip these symptoms in the bud.

Want To Chat About Your Imposter Syndrome?

I know how difficult it can be to find someone to talk to about Imposter Syndrome because you don’t want to let people know how you really feel.

I provide a very safe, non-judgemental space where you can open up and freely discuss what is worrying you.

If you’d love to have a confidential chat with me, click the button below.

Speak soon, Fiona.

Want to take more quizzes?

Check out a range of Career and Life Quizzes I have created for you here.

If you are struggling with feeling authentic at work, you might be especially interested in my ‘Job Satisfaction‘ or ‘Career Change at 50‘ quizzes.

And if you have a quiz you’d like me to create please do get in touch.

Frequently Asked Questions about Imposter Syndrome

The great news is yes, you can be cured from Imposter Syndrome. All the symptoms that you are currently experiencing are a reflection of a deeper issue. Sometimes, you will know deep down inside what the real problem is, and other times, you need to speak to someone to work it out.

There are two main coaching approaches to resolving symptoms of Imposter Syndrome. The first, more traditional approach, happens over many sessions where each of the symptoms are addressed one by one. The other approach, which my clients tend to prefer because they often lead busy lives, addresses the underlying cause. Once that is addressed, the symptoms fall away, often very rapidly. The advantage of this approach is that it can often be done in just one or two sessions.

‘Imposter Syndrome’ and ‘Imposter Phenomenon’ are basically two different ways of describing the same thing. The term ‘Imposter Phenomenon’ became popular following the publication of a study published by the psychologists Pauline Rose Clance and Suzanne Imes in 1978.

Atychiphobia is the fear of failure and is a common symptom of Imposter Syndrome.

Both spellings are used, but they mean the same thing. “Impostor” is the original spelling from the psychological research, while “Imposter” has become more common in everyday use. Either way, it describes the same experience of doubting your abilities and feeling like a fraud, even when you’re doing well.