Over the past few years of coaching and conversations, I’ve explored imposter phenomenon frequently. It’s a topic that comes up quite regularly with leaders – and also with clients at all levels, and genders.

Michelle Obama, Tom Hanks, Lady Gaga, David Bowie, Sheryl Sandberg – all these people have shared that they regularly feel like an ‘imposter’.

We all know the symptoms – doubting yourself, that you’ve just been ‘lucky’ or that the fraud police will come knocking because you’ve been found out and don’t know what you’re doing.

But here’s the thing. Imposter syndrome works in two ways. The second aspect of imposter syndrome is overestimating others.

We can assume stuff about the 'awesome others’ to whom we compare ourselves. That they’re full of confidence. They know what they’re doing and certainly more than us. And they have genuine talent or skill. They are fully competent in ways we are not.

The truth is that other people are often just bumbling along, doing the best they can, going on instinct. Everyone is a bit scared and winging it some of the time. Just like you.

I don’t have a magic panacea for imposter syndrome – but I’m hoping this perspective helps a little. Don’t underestimate yourself but importantly, don’t overestimate others.