Imposter syndrome at work gets misdiagnosed more often than not. Drawing on the original 1978 research, a real client story, and current workforce data, this piece separates genuine self-doubt from a structural support gap, and sets out what actually helps.

When an experienced leader loses confidence, the instinct is to send them on a course. Often, the real work is diagnosis first, understanding what has actually changed around them before deciding what needs to be built back up.

Confidence at work is about how you operate when things are unclear, when expectations shift, and when you’re required to make decisions without full information. It shows up in your thinking, your actions, and how consistently you back yourself in the moments that matter.