If you've ever sat in a meeting thinking "surely someone's going to realise I have no idea what I'm doing," you're in excellent company. Imposter syndrome has a particular talent for showing up at the worst possible moments: when you're about to pitch a big idea, starting a new role, or facing any situation where you feel like you should know more than you do. It's that nagging voice that whispers you're not qualified, not talented enough, and definitely not deserving of whatever success you've achieved.

For creatives, this feeling can be especially brutal. Our work is subjective, personal, and constantly up for critique. When imposter syndrome strikes, it doesn't just undermine our confidence, it can sabotage creative opportunities and leave us paralysed by self-doubt. But here's the thing: you're not broken, and you're certainly not alone in feeling this way.

This question was answered by Andy Wright, Host and founder of Never Not Creative, CEO of Streamtime, with extensive experience supporting creative professionals' wellbeing; Maria Devereux, Executive Creative Director at Accenture Song in North America, with years of creative leadership experience and recent promotion insights; and Katie Feder, a registered psychotherapist working in clinical practice, specialising in Process Orientated Psychology and emotional health support for creative professionals.

The Creative Connection

Here's something that might surprise you: imposter syndrome and creativity often go hand in hand, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. As Maria explains: "I love this question because I have such severe imposter syndrome. And I can also hand on heart say that most of the creatives that I admire do also have the same imposter syndrome."

This connection isn't coincidental. Maria suggests that imposter syndrome "might feel like a bad thing, but in some regard, it's the thing that drives us as creatives to want to keep creating and want to keep, you know, I guess, evolving and doing the best we can." In other words, that nagging doubt might actually be fuel for your creative growth, pushing you to keep improving and never settle for mediocrity.

The key insight here is that imposter syndrome is "incredibly common with creatives," and knowing this can be oddly comforting. As Maria puts it: "I personally find it nice to know that I'm not alone, that other people have it and that other people who are way more talented than me have it."

The Promotion Reality Check

Maria's recent promotion to Executive Creative Director gave her a masterclass in dealing with imposter syndrome. She describes it as "probably the most severe case of imposter syndrome I've ever experienced." But here's the encouraging part: "It didn't last too long. And with a few close friends around me saying, can you just step into it and believe in yourself and get on with it? I did so and all as well."

This experience highlights something crucial about imposter syndrome: it's often most intense during transitions and new challenges. The feelings are real and valid, but they don't have to be permanent. Sometimes the best way to deal with imposter syndrome is to acknowledge it, lean on your support network, and then simply get on with the work.

Understanding Your Inner Critic

Katie brings a therapeutic perspective to understanding what's really happening when imposter syndrome strikes. She describes it as "your inner critic" - "that aspect of you that whose job it is to doubt, who is to call into question, who criticises, who keeps you locked, who keeps you small, who keeps you diminished."

But rather than trying to silence this voice entirely, Katie suggests getting curious about it. She recommends exploring "what are the origins of it? Whose voice is it that actually is speaking? What is it in you that is still supporting it?" This approach recognises that we all contain multitudes: "We are confident and we are not confident. We are skilled and we are uncertain."

The goal isn't to eliminate self-doubt entirely, but to understand it better so it doesn't have quite so much power over you.

A Practical Exercise for Managing the Voice

Katie offers a concrete technique for dealing with imposter syndrome that's particularly suited to creative minds. She suggests giving your inner critic "a personality" and "a name," then writing down everything it wants to say: "Take a pen. Hear from it. Really write everything it wants to say. When it's finished, is there any more? Well, that's why I'm horrible. Get the tone, get the flavour, get the full energy of it."

Once you've fully expressed the critical voice, the next step is equally important: "Get up, go sit at a different desk in a different part of your house, come into a different part and come into the part of you that's really confident, that's really secure, that really likes yourself. And right from there, give them a voice, give them an expression fully until they're exhausted."

This exercise acknowledges that both voices exist within you and are "both so true and yet both so different and in conflict." The final step is to sit "from a third position" and consider what one voice might say to help the other find better balance.

The Gentle Approach

Throughout this discussion, there's a consistent theme of self-compassion. Maria emphasises the importance of being "kind with ourselves" and holding imposter syndrome "gently." She acknowledges that while there's "a little bit of a dark side to that," the key is not letting it "get the better of you, if you can."

This gentle approach recognises that imposter syndrome isn't something to be conquered or eliminated, but rather something to be understood and managed with kindness towards yourself. It's about finding balance rather than perfection.

Taking Away the Power

Katie's ultimate insight is that "the way to start to take away some of its power is get to know it and understand it so that you can hold it with a bit more empathy and that will begin to take the charge out of it." This approach transforms imposter syndrome from an enemy to be defeated into a part of yourself that needs understanding.

When you can recognise imposter syndrome for what it is (a common experience, especially among creatives), understand where it comes from, and respond to it with compassion rather than additional self-criticism, it begins to lose its grip on you.

Moving Forward with Self-Compassion

The best way to deal with imposter syndrome isn't to pretend it doesn't exist or to fight it head-on. Instead, it's about recognising it as a common part of the creative experience, understanding its origins, and responding with kindness towards yourself. Remember that some of the most talented creatives you admire struggle with these same feelings.

Your imposter syndrome doesn't mean you're not qualified or talented. It might actually be evidence that you care deeply about your work and want to keep growing. The key is not letting it paralyse you or sabotage your opportunities. Acknowledge it, understand it, and then, as Maria's friends advised, step into your role and get on with the brilliant work you're capable of creating. You belong here, even when that voice tries to convince you otherwise.