Even the most capable leaders admit to the same quiet fear: “Any day now, they’ll realize I’m not good enough.”
This is the experience of impostor syndrome; the persistent sense of self-doubt despite clear evidence of success. It can affect anyone, but research shows it’s especially common among women in leadership, where expectations and scrutiny are often higher.
A 2023 KPMG study found that 75% of female executives experience impostor syndrome during their careers. Three in four women at the highest levels still wrestle with doubts about whether they deserve their role.
The irony? Most have exceeded expectations again and again to get there.
The Confidence Tax Women Leaders Pay
Impostor syndrome isn’t just a private struggle. It shapes behavior in ways that can directly slow or stall careers. Women who feel like impostors often:
- Over-prepare and overwork, leading to burnout.
- Hesitate to pursue stretch assignments or roles unless they meet every requirement.
- Downplay their expertise in meetings, even when they’re the most knowledgeable in the room.
- Hold back in negotiations, undervaluing their own contributions.
This creates a confidence tax: invisible energy spent proving legitimacy rather than using that energy to lead.
And unlike the outdated idea that impostor syndrome is simply a “personal weakness,” research from Harvard Business Review and the American Psychological Association suggests that cultural and systemic factors drive much of it: biased expectations, subtle stereotyping, and toxic workplace cultures that reward perfectionism over progress.
Why Women Leaders Still Face It
The pressures are not only internal. Female leaders often work under conditions where they’re:
- Underrepresented in executive spaces, creating a sense of isolation.
- Scrutinized more closely, where mistakes are amplified and successes minimized.
- Subject to the “prove-it-again” bias, where competence must be demonstrated repeatedly, unlike male peers who may be judged on potential.
When these external realities meet personal high standards, self-doubt can feel inevitable. But it’s not permanent — and it’s not something leaders have to navigate alone.
Coach Insight: Reframing the Narrative
“Almost every senior woman I’ve coached has admitted they’re waiting to be found out,” says Maryann Voli, an accredited executive coach on the RISE platform. “But when you break it down, the facts tell a different story. Their track record is proof. Coaching helps them shift the lens from ‘I got lucky’ to ‘I’ve built this.’ That’s where confidence takes root.”
Through structured coaching, leaders learn to:
- Reframe perfectionism into progress-driven leadership.
- Develop executive presence without feeling like they have to “mask” authenticity.
- Anchor confidence in measurable results rather than external validation.
- Use reflective tools to silence inner critics before high-stakes decisions.
Case in Point
One client, a senior leader in finance, arrived at her first session with 78 out of 100 in the Clance Impostor Syndrome Assessment, saying: “I’m terrified someone’s going to pull me aside and say I shouldn’t be here. I feel I need to overwork and overprepare – and I am exhausted – whatever I do, I feel is not enough, so I say yes to everything.”
Six months later, hr Clance IP score was at 38, and although she had just started in her company, she was accepted to a leadership accelerated program reserved for only the top performers with one year in the company. “I now have energy to do what I know I am good at; I waste less energy doubting myself, which means I have more energy and time to spend with my family. I still work hard, but it doesn’t wear me down,” she told MaryAnn.
That transformation didn’t come from a motivational pep talk. It came from practical strategies, accountability, and space to connect her success to her skills.
What Helps Fix It
While impostor syndrome may never disappear completely, there are proven ways to reduce its impact:
- Fact-check your narrative. Keep a record of wins, feedback, and measurable results to counteract self-doubt.
- Name it. Recognizing impostor feelings for what they are takes away some of their power.
- Challenge perfectionism. Focus on progress and impact, not flawless execution.
- Seek coaching or mentorship. Talking it through with someone trained to challenge assumptions makes a measurable difference
This is why coaching works so well. Research from the International Coaching Federation (ICF) shows that executive coaching improves self-confidence, performance, and decision-making, exactly the areas impostor syndrome undermines.
Emotional intelligence also plays a role. Leaders who develop EQ sustain confidence and resilience over time get promoted faster.
The RISE Difference
At RISE, we connect ambitious professionals with accredited coaches who understand the realities of leadership, including the hidden battles like impostor syndrome.
Coaching with a RISE coach doesn’t just help female leaders silence self-doubt. It helps them lead with clarity, presence, and impact.
Register today for our next RISE Masterclass: Beat Female Impostor Syndrome in Leadership
Sept 24, 10:00 EDT/ Zoom
Image Credit: Shutterstock/ PeopleImages
