Ever stood at the helm of your own creation, surrounded by people who trust your vision, while a voice inside whispers, “You have no idea what you’re doing”? Welcome to the world of Imposter Syndrome – my constant companion throughout 26 years of entrepreneurship.
When I launched pdxMindShare with nothing but determination and a hunch about connecting professionals, I wasn’t an established networking guru. When Anvil Media grew from a side hustle to a full-fledged digital marketing agency, I hadn’t written the book on digital strategy. And when SEMpdx became Portland’s premier search marketing organization, I was learning alongside everyone else.
Today, as Executive Director of NextNW, I’m managing a 15-person board across five Pacific Northwest states and two Canadian provinces, transforming a newly rebranded organization into a financially viable non-profit with limited funding, and diving headfirst into event planning – a domain where my experience is, let’s say, evolving. The imposter feelings? They’re still there, just wearing different clothes.
What Exactly Is Imposter Syndrome?
Imposter Syndrome is the persistent inability to believe your success is deserved or legitimately achieved as a result of your own efforts or skills. Instead, you attribute your accomplishments to external factors like luck, timing, or the ability to “fool” others into thinking you’re more competent than you believe yourself to be.
Here’s what might surprise you: this phenomenon is incredibly common. Studies have reported prevalence rates ranging from 9% to a staggering 82%, with approximately 70% of individuals experiencing imposter syndrome at some point in their lives. It’s more common in women than men, with studies showing a prevalence of around 75% vs. 60%, respectively.
First-time founders are particularly susceptible. There’s no instruction manual for building something from nothing, and every milestone comes with new territory to navigate.
Recognizing the Symptoms
How do you know if you’re experiencing Imposter Syndrome rather than just normal new-role jitters? Watch for these common symptoms:
- Attributing success to external factors rather than your abilities
- Fear of being “found out” or exposed as a fraud
- Setting excessively high standards and experiencing disappointment when falling short
- Overworking to prove your worth
- Dismissing or downplaying your expertise and accomplishments
- Feeling like you don’t belong, despite evidence to the contrary
For entrepreneurs, these feelings often manifest when pitching to investors, speaking at industry events, or making critical business decisions. You might find yourself over-preparing for meetings, hesitating to delegate important tasks, or feeling paralyzed when faced with expansion opportunities.
From Imposter to Impact: Strategies That Work
After founding or co-founding six successful organizations and now leading a seventh, I’ve developed some practical approaches to managing these feelings:
Surround Yourself With People Who’ve Been Where You’re Going
The single most effective strategy in my journey has been intentionally building a network of experienced mentors and peers. When I joined the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO), I suddenly had access to others who had faced similar challenges and overcome them. The NextNW Agency Roundtable provided industry-specific insights that validated my experiences. At Anvil Media, building an advisory board gave me direct access to wisdom beyond my years.
These connections didn’t eliminate my imposter feelings, but they provided crucial perspective and practical guidance when I needed it most.
Document Your Wins
Sarah Blakely, founder of Spanx and self-made billionaire, has openly discussed her battles with imposter syndrome. Her strategy? Keeping a “success log” to record achievements, positive feedback, and moments of breakthrough. This practice creates tangible evidence to counter self-doubt.
I’ve adopted a similar approach, maintaining a folder of client testimonials, media mentions, and project outcomes. On difficult days, these reminders provide objective counterpoints to subjective feelings of inadequacy.
Embrace the Learning Curve
Reid Hoffman, LinkedIn co-founder, famously said, “An entrepreneur is someone who jumps off a cliff and builds a plane on the way down.” This sentiment captures the reality that most entrepreneurs are figuring things out as they go.
Rather than seeing your knowledge gaps as evidence of fraud, reframe them as natural parts of the entrepreneurial journey. When I stepped into event planning at NextNW, I acknowledged my inexperience upfront but focused on transferable skills from previous ventures and my ability to learn quickly.
Separate Feelings From Facts
Imposter syndrome thrives on emotional reasoning rather than objective assessment. When these feelings arise, I practice stepping back to evaluate the actual evidence:
- What concrete results have I achieved?
- What specific skills and knowledge do I bring to the table?
- What feedback have I received from trusted sources?
This cognitive separation helps distinguish between feeling unqualified and actually being unqualified.
Case Study: The Tech Founder’s Journey
Josh, a first-time SaaS founder I mentored through EO, built a successful customer service platform despite having no formal software development background. His imposter syndrome peaked when securing his first enterprise client – a company ten times the size of his own.
“I was convinced they’d realize I was just a guy who taught himself to code,” he told me. “But what I eventually understood was that my lack of industry indoctrination was actually my advantage. I solved problems differently because I wasn’t constrained by how things ‘should’ be done.”
Josh’s strategy for managing his imposter feelings included meticulous preparation, transparent communication about his company’s capabilities, and focusing conversations on customer outcomes rather than his personal background.
The Power of “Yet”
Perhaps the most powerful tool in combating imposter syndrome is embracing the concept of “yet.” I’m not an expert event planner – yet. I haven’t secured sustainable funding for NextNW – yet. I don’t have all the answers – yet.
This simple shift acknowledges current limitations while maintaining a growth mindset. It honors both where you are and where you’re headed.
Moving Forward
If you’re a first-time founder, early career manager, or new leader grappling with imposter syndrome, remember: These feelings aren’t evidence of incompetence but rather signs that you’re pushing beyond your comfort zone. That’s where growth happens.
Want to connect with others who understand this journey? Consider exploring resources like EO Network or SCORE for mentorship and community. You’ll quickly discover you’re not the only one “faking it” until you make it – and that the faking part is often just the courage to begin before you feel ready.
After all, that’s how most great things start.
