Overcoming Imposter Thoughts: Building Confidence in the Workplace and Beyond
By Daphne Moriel de Cedeño, Ph.D.
As someone who once faced overwhelming self-doubt in pursuit of my goals, my story begins like many others who grapple with Imposter Phenomenon. I vividly remember my first final exam in my PhD program. Sitting next to an 18-year-old who was also pursuing her doctorate, I felt completely out of place. I looked around the room, convinced that everyone else belonged there—except me. I thought, “This is it. I’ll be kicked out.” My parents hadn’t graduated elementary school, and here I was, daring to pursue a PhD. In that moment, I was sure my luck had run out.
But that feeling wasn’t grounded in reality. Despite my doubts, I kept showing up and doing the work, and I kept getting A's. Eventually, I graduated at the top of my class with a 4.0 GPA. That experience taught me that sometimes, the self-doubt we feel is just in our heads and doesn’t reflect our true abilities.
Imposter Phenomenon, a term coined by psychologists Clance and Imes in 1978, affects high achievers across many fields. Even celebrated figures like Albert Einstein and Maya Angelou have spoken about feeling like frauds despite their extraordinary accomplishments. Einstein reportedly doubted the value of his work, while Maya Angelou, after publishing numerous books, still feared that someone would "catch her" as an imposter. These examples highlight how pervasive and indiscriminate this experience can be, affecting people from all walks of life.
For me, the turning point came when I encountered Amy Cuddy’s TED Talk on "power posing." Cuddy’s research revealed that by embodying power through physical stance, we could influence our mindset, exuding confidence before we might even feel it internally. This idea helped me recognize that sometimes, we truly do have to "fake it until we become it." We must keep showing up, embracing discomfort, and leaning into opportunities—even when insecurity lingers. Confidence often comes as a byproduct of persistence.
This lesson extends into the work we do at ConnectEd Consulting. Here, we’re committed to helping our clients overcome imposter feelings, supporting them as they lean into opportunities that stretch their comfort zones. Our Leadership Consulting model emphasizes empowerment, encouraging clients to recognize their strengths and dissolve any insecurities that might arise. Our goal is not only to help them achieve their dreams but to instill lasting confidence that aligns with their aspirations.
In my journey, I’ve learned that success is not about being flawless but about persisting, adapting, and believing that, even if we don’t feel worthy yet, we will grow into it. At ConnectEd Consulting, we’re here to walk that journey with our clients, helping them realize that they belong right where they are—and that their dreams are well within reach
