Ep 62 - How to Beat Impostor Syndrome Without Faking Confidence

2025-06-10

We’ve all had moments of doubt, feeling like we don’t truly belong or aren’t as capable as others think. This is often called imposter syndrome, but what if that’s not the real issue? In this episode of Management Muse, Cindi Baldi and Geoff Tumlin explore what’s really behind your fraudulent feelings and why the concept of impostor syndrome does more harm than good. They explain how confidence dips are often a normal part of learning and growth, not a personal flaw, and why thinking you have a syndrome can hold you back. Cindi and Geoff also discuss how workplace environments, unrealist...

We’ve all had moments of doubt, feeling like we don’t truly belong or aren’t as capable as others think. This is often called imposter syndrome, but what if that’s not the real issue?

In this episode of Management Muse, Cindi Baldi and Geoff Tumlin explore what’s really behind your fraudulent feelings and why the concept of impostor syndrome does more harm than good. They explain how confidence dips are often a normal part of learning and growth, not a personal flaw, and why thinking you have a syndrome can hold you back.

Cindi and Geoff also discuss how workplace environments, unrealistic expectations, and poor feedback systems can create or amplify imposter feelings. They offer a new way to think about self-doubt and share what leaders can do to help people feel more capable, even when they are learning and doing new things.

Listen in to rethink impostor syndrome and learn how to replace self-doubt with confidence and meaningful growth.

Episode Highlights: