Impostor Syndrome at the Top: Why High Achievers Still Feel Like Frauds
Impostor syndrome is often portrayed as something that affects early-career professionals or those just starting out. But in my clinical experience, it’s just as common—if not more so—among seasoned high achievers. I’ve worked with clients in their 60s who have decades of success behind them and still privately question whether they’ve truly earned their place.
And I’ll say this plainly: as a clinical psychologist, I’ve experienced impostor syndrome myself. Every single colleague I’ve spoken to candidly has admitted the same.
This isn’t a niche issue. A 2024 survey by Korn Ferry found that 71% of U.S. CEOs report experiencing impostor syndrome, highlighting its presence even at the highest levels of leadership.
(Fortune article)
What Is Impostor Syndrome?
Impostor syndrome is the persistent belief that you’re not as competent as others perceive you to be, despite objective evidence of your success. It’s the internal narrative that your achievements are due to luck, timing, or deception—and that it’s only a matter of time before you’re “found out.”
Originally identified in 1978 by psychologists Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes, impostor syndrome was first observed among high-achieving women. But it’s now understood to affect people across all professional levels and backgrounds.
(McLean Hospital)
Why High Achievers Are Especially Vulnerable
High achievers often set exceptionally high standards for themselves and are driven by a fear of failure. This perfectionism can lead to a cycle where success is attributed to external factors, while failures are internalized as evidence of inadequacy.
Moreover, the higher one climbs professionally, the fewer peers there are to provide validation, which can exacerbate feelings of isolation and self-doubt. This is particularly true in fields that value invincibility and self-reliance, such as law and medicine. A recent article from UCLA Health highlights that imposter syndrome is common among high achievers and can be linked to depression and anxiety. UCLA Health
How Therapy Can Help Address Impostor Syndrome
In therapy, I help clients manage impostor syndrome from two essential angles:
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Clarifying core values and identity: We dig into what truly matters to them and how their work reflects those values. The more someone understands who they are and what they bring to the table, the harder it becomes for impostor thoughts to take hold.
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Normalizing the experience: When clients realize that even their mentors and peers have dealt with the same insecurities, it removes the shame and isolation that impostor syndrome thrives on.
Therapeutic approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) are both effective for working through impostor-related thinking.
(Contextual Consulting)
Practical Tools for Managing Impostor Feelings
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Name it: Simply recognizing impostor thoughts for what they are can reduce their power.
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Keep a “reality file”: Document compliments, accomplishments, and positive feedback to help ground yourself during moments of doubt.
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Talk about it: Conversations with trusted peers or a therapist can put your feelings into perspective.
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Challenge the narrative: Use CBT strategies to question the stories you tell yourself about your competence.
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Align with your values: Reconnect with why you do what you do. It helps shift focus from proving yourself to living meaningfully.
Final Thoughts
Impostor syndrome doesn’t fade with experience—and it certainly doesn’t care how “successful” someone appears from the outside. But it can be understood, challenged, and ultimately quieted.
By working through it—thoughtfully, compassionately, and with help if needed—high achievers can reconnect with their worth and show up fully in their lives and work, not as impostors, but as the deeply capable individuals they are.