By Dr. Joe Isbister

Imposter Syndrome (the persistent feeling of being a fraud despite evident success) is a common experience, that transcends history, race, gender, age, occupation and is especially prevalent in underrepresented groups. However, it is possible to turn Imposter Syndrome into an opportunity for growth. Here, we will look at several well-known celebrities and explore how they navigated Imposter Syndrome and how they learnt how to use it as a catalyst for growth.

Before becoming First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama had a distinguished educational and professional background, which included attending Princeton University, Harvard Law School and then a prestigious law firm.

Michelle Obama has talked openly about how, despite her achievements, she felt inadequate at times amid the constant pressure to prove herself in every new role. In 2018, while promoting her autobiography (‘Becoming’), Michelle Obama visited an all-girls school in North London, and spoke candidly, admitting that she still feels Imposter Syndrome and it never goes away. Not completely.

However, Michelle Obama’s open acknowledgement and sharing of her experience was a way of acknowledging and normalising these feelings, to encourage others to speak about their own doubts. Through her own observations and experiences, Michelle Obama came to realise that Imposter Syndrome was common among high-achieving individuals, especially women and people of colour in predominantly white, elite institutions.

Michelle Obama shared that alongside her strong sense of identity, her family’s support and her work ethic, she came to reframe her doubts as part of growth, not proof of inadequacy. Rather than trying to conform to others’ expectations, Michelle Obama found strength through ensuring that her work aligned with her values and the impact she wanted to make.

Michelle Obama stopped asking “Am I good enough?” and started asking “What do I want to contribute?”. By aligning her actions on service and impact, her sense of purpose and identity gave her the clarity and motivation to push past her insecurities and lead with authenticity.

Tom Hanks, an Academy Award-winning actor and one of the most decorated and accomplished actors of his generation, has also spoken about his encounters with imposter syndrome. Despite a successful career, he has questioned his legitimacy as a serious actor in the film industry.

In an interview in the New York Times 2021, Tom Hanks reflected that Imposter Syndrome does not go away, even with fame or accolades like Oscars. He shared that, there were still times when he’d think “I’m going to get found out. They are going to discover that I don’t really know what I’m doing”. Tom Hanks shared how these feelings would creep in, especially at the start of new projects or roles where he felt uncertain or out of his depth.

In response to these feelings, Tom Hanks points towards the value of “staying teachable” as opposed to pretending to have all the answers, embracing Imposter Syndrome and remaining a “student of the craft”. He approaches each new role, each project as if he’s still figuring it out. In doing this, Tom Hanks reframes and welcomes uncertainty as part of the creative process.

Tom Hanks also often credits the support of mentors and trusted peers as essential in managing feelings of Imposter Syndrome. Rather than isolating himself in self-doubt, Tom Hanks will actively seek conversations with directors, fellow actors and collaborators. The people whose opinion he values and who understand the creative highs and inner turbulence that can accompany these kinds of projects.

Emma Watson, known for her role as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter series, has experienced Imposter Syndrome, particularly as she transitioned into other acting roles, and then into activism via her work as a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador. In a 2013 interview with Rookie magazine, Emma Watson explained “It’s almost like the better I do, the more my feelings of inadequacy actually increase”.

Emma Watson has talked about the importance of having trusted friends, mentors, and colleagues who encourage her and help her keep perspective. She also advocates for the power of being vulnerable and honest about her doubts, which paradoxically helps reduce their power. Emma Watson also speaks about the power of how finding purpose, via her activism with UN Women, helped her to move away from needing to prove herself, to connecting with something much larger than her.

Imposter Syndrome is a pervasive experience that can affect anyone. For everyone, overcoming Imposter Syndrome is a journey of self-awareness, intentional action and collaboration.

Michelle Obama, Tom Hanks and Emma Watson know Imposter Syndrome and their experiences all have elements of self-awareness, intentional action and collaboration. But sometimes in different ways, at different times and not necessarily in a neat linear order. Their stories tell us that navigating Imposter Syndrome can be a messy and uncomfortable experience.

However, a deeper hidden truth is that Imposter Syndrome can uncover and heighten other assets. The thread that links Michelle Obama, Tom Hanks and Emma Watson within their stories is that they all found ways, not only to navigate and manage Imposter Syndrome, but also to embrace it and harness its power.

To do that, they needed to reconnect with what made them human, nurturing a strong sense of identity, humility and purpose. Across all three stories, certain qualities stand out strongly. These are resilience, courage, authenticity and perspective. These are the qualities that build inner strength and purpose.

Navigating Imposter Syndrome requires self-awareness, intentional action and the support of others. However, meaningful and deeply rooted personal growth also calls on something deeper: our most human qualities such as resilience, courage, authenticity and the ability to hold a broader, more purposeful perspective. It’s through these that we begin to make a lasting difference.