Wellbeing news, guides and resources for the banking community
The fear of being ‘found out’
Ever had the feeling that everyone else knows exactly what they’re doing – and you’re just winging it?
If so, you’re not alone. Millions of people in the UK experience imposter syndrome: the sense that you don’t deserve your success, suffer severe self-doubt, or fear you’re completely incompetent.
This month’s Connect looks at how imposter syndrome shows up at work and beyond – and shares practical tips to help quieten that inner critic.
Imposter syndrome – explained
The term was first introduced in 1978, when psychologists Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes studied high-achieving women who doubted their own abilities. Despite clear evidence of success, many felt like frauds and feared being ‘found out’.
These feelings often surface during new challenges – like a promotion, award, or added responsibility. For some, they pass quickly; for others, they linger for years.
Originally described as the 'impostor phenomenon', it isn’t a medical diagnosis but a recognised experience. And it can affect anyone, especially high achievers who may appear most confident on the outside.
By numbers: the scale of imposter syndrome
As these stats show, it's a phenomenon that's widespread:
A common experience:70% of UK workers – over 22 million people – have felt imposter syndrome at least once in their careers (TotalJobs)
Gender imbalances:Women are 12% more likely to experience it than men. Bisexual and queer groups are also at higher risk (Young Women’s Trust)
Young workers hit hard:86% of adults aged 18–34 say they’ve felt imposter syndrome in the past 12 months (FindingGuru)
Growing awareness:Google searches for 'imposter syndrome' in the UK rose by 511% between 2016 and 2021 (Micro Biz Mag)
Impact on wellbeing:53% of UK employees experience stress, anxiety or burnout linked to imposter syndrome every month (Executive Development Network)
The consequences of imposter syndrome
Beyond the stress and anxiety highlighted above, imposter syndrome can quietly derail careers and relationships.
People overwork to prove themselves, miss out on opportunities they’re more than capable of, or hold back their creativity for fear of being ‘exposed’. Over time, it chips away at confidence, stifles growth, and leaves people feeling isolated.
Guide: 5 ways to combat imposter syndrome
Recognise the feelings we've described? Here are five steps that can help shift your perspective:
List your strengths Write down what you’re good at and return to it when doubts creep in. Keep adding new achievements and allow yourself to feel proud of them.
Reframe failure Nobody’s perfect – we all suffer setbacks. Instead of seeing them as proof you’re not good enough, treat them as learning opportunities. Often, we grow more from failures than successes.
Ask for support Remember that it's okay not to have all the answers. Seeking help from colleagues, mentors, or friends can prevent small struggles from morphing into bigger doubts.
Stop comparing Your achievements don’t need to match anyone else’s. Focus on your own progress – comparison is rarely fair, and your inner voice will often make sure you come off second best.
Talk to a professional A therapist can help you unpick the thoughts that fuel imposter syndrome and build healthier ways of responding.
Insights from our community: a hidden barrier
It’s hard to find data on imposter syndrome in banking, but from our conversations, we know it’s common and we’ve heard many stories of it holding careers back. Often, it’s the people you’d least expect who are affected.
That’s why we created our webinar on imposter syndrome. If you’d like to explore the topic in more depth, you can catch up on-demand at a time that suits you.
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