Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
October 09, 2025
Many of us have faced that nagging feeling — the sense that we’re not truly qualified or deserving of our success, despite evidence to the contrary. This psychological phenomenon, known as imposter syndrome, affects individuals across all industries and levels of experience. Even someone as accomplished as Bear Grylls, known for his incredible survival feats, has spoken openly about his struggles with feeling like a fraud.
In his conversation with The Diary Of A CEO and in his own book, 'Mind Fuel'; Bear says that his identity as a resilient adventurer was built on a self-imposed narrative which motivated him to push through extreme challenges like Everest and wild survival situations. On the flip side, the narrative also created a deep vulnerability - a fear of being exposed as less capable.
Bear believes that developing resilience is a like muscle, which has to be trained daily and that acknowledging your struggles, fosters authenticity to combat self-doubt.
Imposter syndrome doesn’t have to be a lonely battle. By cultivating a culture of authenticity, vulnerability, and mutual support through intentional team building, organizations can empower individuals to overcome self-doubt. Just as Bear demonstrates that resilience is a muscle to be trained, workplaces that promote openness will foster confident, authentic professionals ready to thrive!
