“If you’re someone experiencing workplace impostor thoughts, there’s this narrative that having those thoughts is only going to be bad for you. But they could actually be your superpower. In moments when you are overwhelmed, they could be the reason you get through it. ~Basma Tewfik, Assistant Professor at the MIT Sloan School of Management
For many of us, imposter syndrome shows up sometimes quietly and sometimes very loud, screaming, actually. It’s the voice that wonders, “Do I really belong here?” or “What if they realize I’m not as capable as they think?” We’re often told this voice is a problem to fix, something to overcome before it leads to stress or burnout.
But what if your self-doubt is actually a competitive advantage?
New research from MIT Sloan School of Management suggests that imposter thoughts aren’t just self-criticism. They can be a secret source of strength. Researcher Basima Tewfik found that when work piles up and time feels scarce, people who question their abilities often push harder, focus more deeply, and ultimately outperform peers who experience fewer imposter thoughts.
Rather than shutting down, these individuals tend to rise to the moment. What’s typically labeled a weakness may actually fuel resilience, effort, and workplace success.
As Professor Tewfik explains,
“They could actually be your superpower. In moments when you are overwhelmed, they could be the reason you get through it.”
From a wellness perspective, this is an important reframe. The increased effort did not significantly raise stress levels, and in many cases, satisfaction actually increased. When the challenge felt meaningful, self-doubt became motivating rather than depleting.
So instead of immediately pushing those thoughts away, consider pausing. Breathe. Notice what they’re asking of you. Often, imposter thoughts are less about not being enough and more about caring deeply and wanting to do well.
When met with compassion, they can become information rather than an interruption, a reminder that you are growing, stretching, and learning to trust yourself in real time.
You don’t have to get rid of self-doubt. You only have to learn how to walk with it.
Stretching alongside you,
Amy
