Tackling Imposter Syndrome in the Tech Industry

Ever found yourself consistently experiencing self-doubt, even in areas where you typically excel?

Have you ever felt like a fraud in front of other people’s achievement, despite your own? Have you ever refrained from sharing a success because you didn’t feel good or capable enough, worthy of recognition? Yes? If so, you might suffer from imposter syndrome. Like me :)

Hello all! Should I say happy new year? Although this is not the first article I published in 2025, it is the very first one I actually wrote this year and I therefore feel obligated to say “Happy new year to you all!“.

We are in February and it has already been a month (or more) since people took on their new resolutions to achieve their best year yet. I am sure you all have big plans for this year: some might want to expand their portfolios building four, five, six (or more) projects this year, some might want to start something new, take a different turn in their career… It is all about getting out of one’s comfort zone.
In fact, people are already sharing their first successes and achievements of the year! This whole atmosphere makes it easy to feel out of place, left behind or insecure…and that’s when imposter syndrome starts creeping in. You might look at others achieving their goals and wonder if you’re doing enough, if you truly belong, or if your successes are just luck. But what exactly is imposter syndrome, and why does it feel so real—even when the evidence says otherwise?

Understanding imposter syndrome (in tech)

What is imposter syndrome ?

According to ASANA researches, about 62% of the global workforce is affected by imposter syndrome.

It is not really a diagnosable mental illness. It is more like a feeling or a condition that can show up in many contexts (work, relationships, friendships, etc) and can hold one back from the self-confidence one has earned and deserve to feel. This condition:

• leads us to doubt our abilities

• makes us believe that we are lying to ourselves and others about our abilities

• makes us believe that we are undeserving of our success or every positive element in our career.

It is a challenging psychological phenomenon because it usually affects people that are highly skilled and who do not have any actual reason to feel anxious about their abilities.

Why is it so common in tech ?

1- A constantly evolving industry

Although advancements occur in every fields and domains, the tech industry stands out as one of the most rapidly evolving ones, revolutionising many other fields doing so! According to some studies, the pace of technological change today is unprecedented. In such a fast-moving world, where you wake up almost everyday to groundbreaking discoveries, it’s easy to feel left behind and overwhelmed. With the huge presence of artificial intelligence tools, these feelings have been amplified: some could feel like they can never keep up, while some fear to be replaced altogether, a possibility that depends largely on the nature of their work…

2- The prevalence of self-taught professionals and non-traditional backgrounds

When I was in college, I often heard people joke about how the richest people in the world never studied long, or dropped out of school. Well, then, it might have been a joke but today, I am pretty sure there’s a different feeling about those “jokes“.

Either in social media or in professional settings, people tend to go after “unconventional“ backgrounds, because of the particular skills that could have been picked up along the way. Basic is the word used now to define the average individual. The path our parents drew for us (pre-school, primary school, secondary school, college with at least a Master degree) is becoming more and more basic. In their time, that was a one-of-a-kind background; it was so difficult that they had to continue studying long after they had children but today is a whole different story… In a job application race, at least 600 people are exactly as competent and skilled as you.

So, what sets you apart? This, for the people that followed the “perfect“ path that was pictured to us while younger, is a rude awakening to today’s reality. A reality that tells us we are not good enough…yet, a reality that prompts us to always prove our worth. This constant need to prove ourselves, particularly in fields with unconventional backgrounds and self-taught professionals fuels imposter syndrome.

When the traditional roadmap no longer guarantees success, questioning whether you truly belong is completely normal. But the truth is every journey is unique and valuable; the world’s opinion cannot be our reality…

3- The pressure of keeping up

When I was in college, I was never really involved in coding games or things of the sort. I was afraid. Not to be beaten, but to face my ignorance… People were always talking about new technologies, languages and I felt like I was losing competence and abilities as I couldn’t keep up. I felt this way a long time until I decided to make a routine and take things slower, at my own pace. I decided that I would take on new technologies and challenges one at a time. I decided that inconfort is okay; it has to be for growth to happen.

Not that I completely overcame my fears, but I get it. I mean Deepseek was out not so long ago but almost all the LinkedIn posts I saw for the past two weeks have been about it as if everyone magically knows what it is!

Even for people that are not directly in tech, keeping up with the technological advancements can be tricky. The professional world pressures us to know everything right away, which is quite not possible. May be it is time we slow down…?

Recognising the signs

Imposter syndrome can be recognised in different ways since it can occur in different settings but here is some of its manifestations:

• You might feel like you’re undeserving of your own achievements, or feel like they aren’t big and significant even if they are.

• Imposter syndrome also manifests in the inclination of the individuals not to take credit for their successes. This is reinforced by society’s inconsistent attitude toward confidence—one moment, celebrating success is seen as inspiring; the next, it’s dismissed as arrogance. With such unpredictable judgments, many hesitate to take credit for their accomplishments, fearing how they’ll be perceived. This constant uncertainty only deepens the self-doubt.

• People with imposter syndrome are rarely proud of themselves because “other people have done better“. That, actually, is something I think we internalise as kids, due to the reaction of adults to academic achievements. Despite having really good results, I would always get told “You can do even better“. And while this prompted me to always work to achieve excellence, it has also made me a person that cannot easily be proud of herself, thinking that there is always something missing about my success, or that I got lucky and that if people have indeed achieved better, I was in no position to be proud of myself…yet.

• Following the point I just made, always comparing oneself to others is another symptom. Since comparison is the thief of joy, the consequence is that one becomes overly demanding towards themselves.

• You might experience constant and acute fear of failure: you fear to be exposed, fear that people discover that you are not as competent as you seem (when you actually are really competent).

Imposter syndrome and its manifestations create a vicious circle where a person is gripped by anxiety whenever a task or project is entrusted to them, doubting their skills, prompting them to either procrastination or perfectionism. Regardless of the project’s outcome, satisfaction and pride rarely follow. Instead, self-doubt takes over, and over time, this cycle erodes confidence, making challenges feel more daunting and success less fulfilling.

Luckily, there’s a way out, friends. And it’s actually a bit easier than we think it is!

How do we get rid of imposter syndrome?

• Acknowledge it and resort to the facts: Some might feel shameful about having imposter syndrome but there really is no reason to be.
  “Yes, I feel crappy. I feel like I didn’t really solve this problem like I could and should have. I know I could do better. Is the team even satisfied with my work? I bet they aren’t…”
  Are they really not satisfied? Of course, there is always room for improvement but what do people actually think about your work? There’s the facts right there, that’s the reality! So whenever you feel imposter syndrome manifesting, just ask to confront your thoughts to the facts, and move on (at least try to ;) ).

• Communicate about it: Talking helps us deal with our feelings. Keeping deep thoughts hidden will only deepen the feelings of illegitimacy, anxiety and fear.
  I know that at the start, you might think that the person you are talking to is just being kind but trust me when I say that with time, you will feel a lot better. And if you really want someone that will just be plainly honest with you, why not get a mentor?

• Mentorship: Getting a mentor can be one of the most valuable and transformative experiences. Whether it’s your manager at work or or part of a formal mentorship program, getting acknowledgement and honest feedbacks on what can be improved will have a positive influence on you self-perception and confidence.

• Keep note of your achievements: One of the ways to use facts to counter imposter syndrome is to keep records of your accomplishments. To do so, you can create a “journal“ on Notion, use a notebook or regularly share your projects on LinkedIn. Whenever you feel like you have accomplished anything, like you are lagging behind, you can look back on those records: you will have enough facts against those naughty voices in your head :)

• Shift your mindset about yourself, value yourself, talk & think positivity: I know this might sound like something out of a personal development book, but our thoughts genuinely shape our reality. The way we think influences how we feel and act—and our thoughts, in turn, are shaped by our actions and the words we repeat to ourselves. Over time, these words become ingrained in our subconscious. So, make it a habit to speak highly of yourself.

• Give yourself credit and grace: Like I just said, what we think of ourselves matters more than anything. If you don’t truly believe in your own achievements, no amount of praise or recognition from others will ever feel real. At the end of the day, your own perception is what shapes your confidence. So, start by giving yourself a little pat on the shoulders saying “You did well“ whenever you feel like you did something good. A little goes a long way.

• Join a community and learn from others: Being part of a community can be incredibly valuable, offering opportunities to learn from others, share your work, thoughts and experience and get constructive feedbacks. Surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals helps you see different perspectives, stay motivated, and realise that you’re not alone in your struggles. Engaging in discussions, asking for advice, and even mentoring others can boost your confidence and reinforce your own knowledge.

As you can see, there are many many ways to face imposter syndrome and beat it! Just remember that you have to take little steps every day. It is a journey, not a race!

Conclusion

Imposter syndrome is a challenge many face, paralysing them and preventing them from reaching their full potential. But it doesn’t define your worth or abilities. Evolving in a constantly changing world can seem impossible and discouraging, leaving room for anxiety and a lack of self-confidence, but by shifting your mindset, recognising your achievements-even the small ones, and surrounding yourself with a supportive community, you can break the cycle. Growth comes from embracing challenges, not fearing them. So, trust your journey, celebrate your progress, and remember—you belong here just as much as anyone else.

Psssst!! Let me know what you think about this article, share your experience battling with imposter syndrome, I would love to hear it.