Imposter Syndrome in disguise: How high performers can reclaim confidence and lead with impact

You know the feeling.

You're walking into a meeting. Everyone’s talking in acronyms. You scan the room and think…"Wait. What am I doing here?"

You may think this is your intuition sending you a sign that you don’t belong. But often, it’s often a sign you're growing.

I recently had a conversation with award-winning business owner, keynote speaker and mentor, Kim Allen, about the moments that shake our confidence, and how we can turn them into fuel rather than allowing ourselves to spiral.

Whether you’re on a building site, in a boardroom, or somewhere in between, imposter syndrome doesn’t discriminate. But we don’t need to let it take over.

These moments of doubt aren’t just mindset quirks; they’re opportunities for realignment. And we can approach them with some simple tools from our Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) tool belt, that get to the root of the story.

Here are 3 lessons Kim has learned along the way, and shared with me, recently.

Imposter syndrome isn't always obvious

1. Imposter syndrome isn't always obvious

Kim shared how imposter feelings crept in subtly for her, even as a CEO of her own company. She found herself adapting her wardrobe, changing her music, even her personality… just to “fit in with the guys.”

That need to earn your place is one of the most common - and most toxic - symptoms of imposter syndrome.

And you don’t have to feel like a fraud to be experiencing it! You just have to feel like you have something to prove… and that’s most of us at one time or another, right?

2. Your gut knows before your brain does

One of Kim’s biggest mindset shifts happened in a high-level Government meeting. She sat there thinking, “I don’t belong here. I can’t say anything wrong.” Then she caught it. Paused. And realised she had something to say.

That small moment of inner awareness became the turning point. She found her voice, spoke up and totally nailed it!

Your body will often signal misalignment before your thoughts catch up. That twist in your stomach or tightening in your chest isn’t weakness or a sign you shouldn’t be there, it’s a cue. Listen to it. Reframe it. And step into the moment with intention.

3. Confidence comes from alignment, not armour… and this is why mindset coaching for professionals works.

We often think people are born with confidence, or that we need to pretend we’ve got it together. But real confidence doesn’t require posturing, it requires knowing who you are.

Kim didn’t become more confident by acting tougher. She became more confident by reconnecting with her values, owning her strengths, and refusing to mute herself to fit a mold.

This isn’t about ego. It’s about identity. And identity isn’t ‘fixed’, it requires deep self-awareness, action and then practice.

Whether you’re leading a team, presenting in a high-pressure environment, or juggling expectations from all sides, your self-talk matters (more than you think!) Executive and corporate coaching, especially approaches grounded in NLP and stress management techniques, helps retrain that inner voice so you can lead with greater clarity, calm and impact.

Final Thought

If you’ve ever heard that whisper of imposter syndrome (often it sounds like, “You don’t belong here”), here’s a reminder for you… that voice isn’t truth. It’s a protective script you learned a long time ago… and you are allowed to rewrite it!

Start by asking yourself, “What part of me am I hiding right now? And what would change if I brought her/him forward?

For the full interview, listen to The Brain Changers™ Podcast Episode 29, “The Doubt Decoder: Turning imposter feelings into fuel with Mrs Kim Allen” at https://www.moonbeammonday.com.au/podcast/episode/1ef03798/ep-29-or-the-doubt-decoder-turning-imposter-feelings-into-fuel-with-mrs-kim-allen

About Rebekah King

Want to lead with clarity, confidence and impact? I speak, coach and partner with leaders across Australia to reframe their self-talk, sharpen focus and boost performance without burnout.

🎤 Speaker | 🧠 Executive Coach | 💼 Executive Workplace Trainer | 🎧Podcaster

📩 DM me or visit www.moonbeammonday.com.au 

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