It’s important to note that imposter syndrome isn’t actually a syndrome at all. It’s a phenomenon.
Pathologising feelings of self-doubt can be harmful because it suggests there’s something inherently wrong with you, when in reality, it’s a common experience—especially in high-pressure, male-dominated environments.
By labelling it a syndrome, we risk turning a normal reaction to challenging situations into a diagnosis, and that can prevent us from addressing the root causes: biases, unequal work environments, or simply being pushed too hard. This misplaced label also shifts the focus away from external factors, such as toxic workplace cultures, and wrongly places all the responsibility on the individual.
For many high-achieving women in male-dominated fields like motorsports and the automotive industry, success often brings an unexpected burden—the so-called “imposter syndrome”. After years of striving, surviving, and breaking down barriers, these women can feel like they don’t truly deserve their accomplishments. But there’s a key difference between those who genuinely work hard, convincing themselves to “fake it till they make it” and those who play the game to get ahead. It’s time for a reset—to step back and realise you’ve earned your place, and you’re not an imposter.
Understanding Imposter Phenomena
Imposter phenomena is a psychological experience where individuals feel like frauds, fearing they will be exposed as unworthy of their success. Despite clear achievements, self-doubt takes over, making it hard to believe the merit of their work. For women in the motorsports and the automotive industry, this phenomenon is not uncommon.
Survival in a Hostile Space
Women in these industries often face a hostile environment, from subtle biases to overt sexism. The need to work harder, shout louder, and prove to be more can leave women feeling like they’ve only survived because they’re faking it. They spent so long pretending they belonged that when success finally comes, it feels like it wasn’t earned but stumbled upon due to luck or timing.
But here’s the reality: If you feel “imposter syndrome”, it’s likely because you’ve fought hard and faced adversity—so much so that you now have difficulty recognising your own triumphs.
The Imposter vs. The Fraudster
Imposter phenomena isn’t the same as deliberately deceiving others to get ahead. True fraudsters talk a big game, leveraging connections, bravado, or deception to climb the ladder. While they may feel occasional self-doubt, their success is often based on manipulation rather than hard work. In contrast, those suffering from imposter phenomena are often the very people applying themselves, working tirelessly, and achieving success based on merit.
The difference? Fraudsters seek shortcuts, while “imposters” do the hard yards and still doubt themselves.
Toxic Workplaces: A Breeding Ground for Imposter Syndrome
Unfortunately, workplaces can exacerbate this feeling. Toxic environments use the “imposter syndrome” as a tool for control. Employers may prey on self-doubt, pushing high-achieving women to burnout by continuously questioning their worth or loading them with extra work, knowing they’ll be too fragile to say no. These environments reinforce the idea that you need to constantly prove yourself, pushing the boundary of your mental and emotional health.
Resetting the Narrative: You’ve Earned Your Place
It’s time for a reset. Feeling like an imposter doesn’t mean you don’t belong—it’s an indicator that you’ve worked hard. You’ve navigated through a hostile environment, faced doubters, and succeeded. Now, the challenge is recognising that you deserve your success. Here are some ways to flip the narrative:
- Track Your Achievements: Keep a record of your accomplishments—big or small. Pull out your old piggy bank, every time you have a success, make a note on a post-it note and drop it in. When self-doubt creeps in, look back and reflect on how far you’ve come. Another great trick is to skill share. Teach someone something you’ve learned in exchange for something they know. It’s a quick and easy way to reinforce that you do know what you’re talking about while also gaining a new trick.
- Mentorship Matters: Surround yourself with mentors who’ve been through similar experiences. They can help provide perspective, reminding you that everyone, at every level, feels this way sometimes.
- Reframe the Fear: Instead of fearing failure or exposure, remind yourself that doubt can be a sign of growth. Success isn’t about knowing everything but about continuing to learn.
The Price of Faking It: Risks of Playing the Game
While “faking it till you make it” can sometimes provide temporary confidence, it comes at a cost.
It can lead to burnout, anxiety, and even reinforce imposter phenomena. True success isn’t about pretending—it’s about showing up, learning, and evolving.
Women who’ve done the work, fought the fight, and questioned their worth need to remind themselves: You’re not faking it anymore. You’ve already made it.
Sources https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychpedia/pathologizing https://psychcentral.com/health/pathologizing https://www.madinamerica.com/2022/10/harms-de-pathologizing-mental-health-conditions/ https://scc.sg/e/overpathologising/ https://www.mentalhealthjournal.org/articles/commentary-prevalence-predictors-and-treatment-of-imposter-syndrome-a-systematic-review.html https://ideas.wharton.upenn.edu/research/imposter-syndrome-unexpected-benefits/ https://www.diverseeducation.com/tenure/article/15109066/imposter-syndrome-a-buzzword-with-damaging-consequences https://hbr.org/2022/05/impostor-syndrome-has-its-advantages https://www.apa.org/monitor/2021/06/cover-impostor-phenomenon https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210315-the-hidden-upside-of-imposter-syndrome https://www.mcleanhospital.org/essential/impostor-syndrome https://scholarworks.smith.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1513&context=theses https://time.com/5312483/how-to-deal-with-impostor-syndrome/ https://www.boldbeancoaching.com/coaching-case-study-4 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7174434/ https://www.apa.org/monitor/2021/06/cover-impostor-phenomenon https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00671/full https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imposter_syndrome https://www.mentalhealthjournal.org/articles/commentary-prevalence-predictors-and-treatment-of-imposter-syndrome-a-systematic-review.html https://www.betterup.com/blog/what-is-imposter-syndrome-and-how-to-avoid-it https://www.verywellmind.com/imposter-syndrome-and-social-anxiety-disorder-4156469 https://magazine.talkutalku.com/pros-and-cons-of-faking-it-till-you-make-it/ https://www.betterup.com/blog/fake-it-till-you-make-it
Bridget Bell is a seasoned motorsport media professional and a skilled mechanic, with over a decade of experience in On-Air Hosting, Event Hosting, Television Presenting and Commentating. Passionate about supporting women in both the industry and motorsport, Bridget volunteers as a mentor and actively champions female representation.
Disclaimer: While due research has been conducted, the views expressed in our articles are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect everyone’s views. If you notice an error, please email quoting the blog article title and an explanation of the error.