You Belong in the Room: Rethinking Imposter Syndrome
It is a feeling that comes up in almost every conversation I have with high-achieving women in tech: imposter syndrome. It is that sneaky, persistent dread that you aren't as talented as people think you are, and that it is only a matter of time before someone "finds you out".
If you are quietly holding your team together while simultaneously wondering if you belong in the room, you are in good company. A recent 2025 Tech Workplace Survey Report, commissioned by Springfield Women in Tech and Habitat Communication and Culture, revealed that a massive 89% of women in tech experience imposter syndrome (compared to 79% of men).
Why is it so common? Tech is an industry where you are constantly bombarded with new technologies and surrounded by brilliant people. On top of that, many of us were socialized from a young age to be modest and to attribute our success to external factors. When you add those messages to the persistent stereotypes in male‑dominated environments, it’s no wonder we end up feeling like frauds.
But here is the reframe: Feeling like an imposter is not proof that you aren't good enough.
In many cases, it is a signal that you are exactly where you should be: at the edge of your comfort zone, learning, growing, and caring deeply about your work. As you build competence, you often enter the "valley of despair" of the Dunning-Kruger effect, where you finally know enough to realize what you don't know.
You don't have to wait for your brain to magically stop doubting you to start leading boldly. Instead, you can build grounded self-trust on purpose using two simple tools:
1. Build a personal milestones list Write down the things you are genuinely proud of. Graduating, launching a hard project, getting promoted, or taking time off to care for your family. Look at that list and remind yourself that you did the work. Remember that when you were in the middle of achieving those things, it probably felt hard 50% of the time, and that is completely normal.
2. Practice the 10% better thought You cannot jump from "I have no idea what I'm doing" to "I am a world-class expert" overnight. It won't feel believable. Instead, when you are overwhelmed, reach for a thought that is just 10% more believable and feels 10% better in your body. For example, when stepping into a brand new leadership role, my 10% better thought was simply: "I've managed projects before".
Your action item: Your wins deserve to be seen. Stop waiting to feel perfectly ready, and start recognizing the incredible value you already bring to the table. To help you put this into practice, download the free Imposter Syndrome Playbook at coachsarahwilliams.com/imposter. This guide will walk you through building your Personal Milestones List and finding your 10% better thoughts so you can start leading boldly today!
🎧 Listen to the full episode of Women Who Ship on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!
