
Imposter Syndrome and why I’m not qualified to write this post
Hi, I’m Rodrigo. I’ve been a developer for almost eight years, and I must share something with you. I don't know what I'm doing. Surrounded by seemingly more knowledgeable peers, I try to blend in, hoping that my secret won't be discovered. You probably guessed it; I have Imposter Syndrome.

What is Imposter Syndrome?
Imposter Syndrome is a psychological phenomenon where someone will doubt their own skills, competence, or accomplishments, and have a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a fraud. It is the belief that you’ve succeeded due to luck rather than competence. You basically don’t believe you’re worthy of your own success. But the truth is: you are.
Originally identified in 1978, Imposter Syndrome was thought to affect mainly women and people of color. However, we have learned that it affects people from all walks of life. Research indicates that around 70% of people experience these feelings at some point in their lifetime (Source). To make it more concrete - if your team consists of 8 members, 6 of these people have felt, will feel, or currently feel like imposters.
Living like you think you are a fraud is not easy to deal with. It leads to stress, anxiety, and a damaging cycle of self-doubt. The common response is to work harder, trying to "catch up" with colleagues. We confuse the discomfort of a new or challenging situation with a sign of incompetence. It also worsens if you do fail during certain steppingstones in your career. This can be an interview for a job you really wanted or a certification that you failed to pass. What you should remember is that the most successful people usually are the ones who have failed more than anyone else. They are likely going through or have already gone through the same emotions that you are.
When I started writing this post, I began doubting that I’m even qualified to do it, and right now, I’m dreading to send it in for review. Although, I knew what it was about and I know there’s more people in the same situation as me. This condition is immune to evidence; even if you’ve successfully contributed to big projects, got the offer after your last interview, or are the CEO of a thriving company, there will be an internal voice whispering “you should not be here”. That voice is wrong.
There are many strategies to combat Imposter Syndrome, and I encourage you to do your own research to learn more about them. I’m by far no expert in this and am still working on improving myself. Also, this condition is not cured overnight and will require some active work from your side. Here are three steps that have helped me in feeling less like an imposter and they might help you as well:
- Avoid Comparisons: You only see what your peers choose to show. They might be just as insecure as you are. Comparing your insides to someone else’s outsides never paints a truthful picture. So, remember this when scrolling through LinkedIn or any other social media for that matter. There is most likely a flipside to all the success stories you see, and these people will likely feel the same way you are.
- Speak Up: How often have you taken part in a meeting where afterwards you had more questions than before, but you decided to stay silent and try to wing it on your own, since you should know how to do this after all? Be vocal when you simply don’t know or understand something. This will not only fill your own gaps but will also help to normalize asking questions for your colleagues, which will be beneficial for them too.
- Document Your Success: Keep a record of your achievements. Write down the things you’ve accomplished and read that list back as if it was written about someone else. This can be anything from a big implementation to nailing the last job interview or just finally understanding how to center a div.
Imposter Syndrome is a faulty belief. We cannot let this feeling dictate our self-esteem. We all deserve success. I am not a fraud — and neither are you.
