Coaching and Imposter Syndrome

Helping Clients See What Others Already See

October 2025

When I talk to clients about imposter syndrome, they often describe it as that nagging voice in the back of their head saying “I’m not good enough” or “Any moment now, they’ll find out I don’t actually know what I’m doing.”

What’s fascinating, albeit frustrating for my clients, is that from the outside, the opposite is true. They’re brilliant at their jobs. Their peers, managers, and colleagues see them as capable, skilled, and valuable. Yet internally, there’s this disconnect: they don’t feel able to believe that about themselves.

Imposter feelings can take a real toll. They can leave people second-guessing every decision, unable to celebrate successes, or holding back from opportunities because they’re afraid of being “found out”.

Why These Clients Come to Coaching

Many of the people I work with come to coaching not because they aren’t successful but because they want to finally feel the success they’ve already achieved. They’re motivated to make changes, and they know there’s a version of themselves who can step into their role with confidence and ease.

And this is where the coaching journey becomes so rewarding. Over time, it’s incredible to see the shift: when a client begins to see themselves through the same lens that their colleagues and or peers already do. Watching someone acknowledge their own capability – and actually believe it – is such a powerful moment.

How We Work on It Together

Every coaching journey looks a little different, but here are some of the ways we might approach imposter syndrome together:

Getting curious about limiting beliefs – We dig into the thoughts and assumptions that are quietly holding the client back. Often these beliefs have been around for years, unquestioned.
Using the SPACE model – This framework (Situation, Perceptions, Actions, Cognitions, Emotions) helps bring clarity. It’s a way of zooming out to see the bigger picture of what’s really happening, rather than being stuck in the swirl of doubt. It’s a nice way of showing the connectedness between our thoughts, feelings, behaviours and what is going on physically in our body.
Challenging unhelpful thinking – We look at whether thoughts like “I’m not good enough” are actually true (spoiler: they rarely are). Then, we experiment with new, more helpful ways of thinking.
Trying out new behaviours – This might mean celebrating achievements instead of brushing them off, asking for feedback, or saying yes to opportunities instead of shrinking away from them.

The Transformation

It’s often in the little moments that the change really shows – when a client shares that they felt confident in a meeting, or that they finally took a compliment without brushing it off. Those moments are worth celebrating, and the real reward is that they no longer are being weighed down by doubt, but actually are able to enjoy their role and their achievements. For me, supporting clients in reaching that point is what makes coaching so fulfilling.

Final Note

It’s worth remembering that imposter syndrome doesn’t only show up in the typical 9–5 workplace. It can surface in so many areas of life; in parenting, relationships, creative pursuits, or even social settings. At its core, imposter syndrome is about limiting beliefs that make people question their own abilities and worth, often preventing them from fully enjoying life. Coaching provides a space to challenge those beliefs, explore new perspectives, and build the confidence to step forward with greater ease and self-assurance.

Published: 6th September 2025