Imposter syndrome is the persistent feeling of not deserving your own success, despite objective evidence of your competence. It particularly affects high achievers — and, historically, women in leadership positions. If you have ever landed a promotion, closed an important deal, or received sincere praise — all while secretly thinking “if only they knew” — you already know imposter syndrome. First described in 1978 by clinical psychologists Dr. Pauline Rose Clance and Dr. Suz