The silent saboteur: Imposter syndrome and the art of undervaluing yourself

It was Monday morning, and Tolu sat at her desk, staring at her email of a juicy offer she had been dreaming of.

A corporate client had just commissioned her consulting services, and the amount she was about to quote made her stomach twist. “Maybe I shouldn’t ask for too much,” she muttered. “They’ll think I’m greedy. Maybe I don’t really deserve this.”

Sound familiar? Welcome to the quiet, cunning world of imposter syndrome, where your own mind convinces you that your accomplishments are flukes and your worth is negotiable.

For Tolu, and countless professionals like her, those words were more than hesitation, it was imposter syndrome in action, quietly whispering that success wasn’t hers to claim.

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For many professionals, especially those early or mid-career, imposter syndrome often creeps in like a shadow, subtle but heavy. You might find yourself charging low fees because you feel undeserving, quietly downplaying your achievements during meetings, or hesitating to pursue promotions because you convince yourself that you “aren’t ready.” And yet, the irony is sharp: when you undervalue yourself, the world tends to undervalue you too. It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

You whisper “I can’t,” and whether consciously or unconsciously, the universe echoes back your own doubts. It is the very essence of the scriptural truth: “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” If your mind is a garden, then doubt is the weed you water and soon it will overrun the flowers of your potential. Stop discounting your worth; after all, you are not a clearance item you are prime stock in the marketplace of talent.

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Imposter syndrome is more than an emotional hiccup; it is a phenomenon recognised by research.

Studies suggest that up to 70 percent of professionals experience feelings of imposterism at some point in their careers. The consequences are tangible: undervaluing oneself can lead to lost earnings, missed promotions, and diminished visibility in the professional sphere.

A Harvard Business Review study highlights that women, in particular, are up to 30 percent less likely to negotiate salaries than men, often due to internalised feelings of inadequacy. In careers where “asking too much” feels risky, imposter syndrome quietly erodes opportunity.

Yet, here is the paradox: that very unease is also a compass. The tightening in your chest, the second-guessing before quoting a fee, the hesitation to step into a new role, they are signals that you are stepping beyond the boundaries of comfort.

Recognising them is the first step toward reclaiming agency over your career. Vulnerability does not diminish you; it humanises you and creates space for growth.

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Tolu eventually typed her true value and hit send. The client accepted without question. In that moment, she realised the fear had always been hers alone. Imposter syndrome had whispered, “You don’t deserve this,” yet the reality was entirely different. Success does not require the absence of doubt rather it requires action despite it.

For emerging professionals and seasoned leaders alike, the lesson is clear: your self-perception sets the ceiling for your potential. Imposter syndrome may whisper that you are unworthy, but that voice does not dictate your reality.

Claim your space, assert your value, and let your expertise speak louder than your doubts. Remember, the weeds of doubt cannot thrive in a garden that is intentionally watered with confidence, skill, and boldness.

So the next time that inner voice murmurs, “You don’t deserve this,” respond decisively: “Actually, I do and here is why.” Leadership and success belong to those who act, not those who shrink. Imposter syndrome may be a silent saboteur, but it can also be a catalyst a nudge to rise, to charge what you’re worth, and to let your brilliance light the way.

After all, in the marketplace of talent, you are not on clearance, you are premium stock.

Esther Adeyanju is a corporate communications professional and a member of NIPR and ARCON