Exploring Imposter Syndrome
Imposter syndrome is a psychological behaviour where individuals, including many high achievers, struggle with persistent feelings of self-doubt, inadequacy, or the fear of being exposed as a fraud. Despite their achievements, those experiencing imposter syndrome believe they are undeserving of their success or worry that they’ve misled others into overestimating their abilities.
As a content creator, author and trainer, I meet people suffering from imposter syndrome every day. They often disguise their symptoms by telling me they are unable or unwilling to perform tasks that will help them raise their profile and become more successful in whatever they do because of a lack of time or other resources. In reality, they are scared to raise their head above the parapet and shout, “I have an opinion,” because they fear what other people will think of them. This phenomenon is particularly true in small, tight-knit communities like Gibraltar, where everybody knows everybody else.
The good news is that while there may not be a cure for imposter syndrome, you can take steps to alleviate the problem.
Imposter Syndrome made me a writer
A little over 12 years ago, I was speaking at a marketing event about the opportunities available to business owners who were able to position themselves as thought leaders in their respective industries by creating and publishing relevant, timely, and engaging content.
At the end of my session, I was approached by a delegate who found my presentation illuminating but doubted it would work for her. She asked me why anyone would be interested in or believe anything she had to say. It turned out she had a lot to say and the credibility to back it up. With more than 20 years of experience in her industry, she knew not only her products inside out but also everything about her competitors, and she had walked more than a few miles in her customers’ shoes. She was more than qualified to call herself a thought leader, and fear was the only thing holding her back. She was suffering from a severe bout of imposter syndrome.
I took her experience and wrote a short article entitled “Believe in yourself, you’re a thought leader,” which was published on the blog of the marketing company I was working for at the time. The blog clearly resonated with a large audience and quickly went viral, generating tens of thousands of views and countless social media engagements. The success of that blog post provided me with a much-needed confidence boost.
I’d been harbouring an ambition to write a book for a long time. I just didn’t know what that book would be about. Realising I’d hit a deep vein of content with that short blog post, I set about expanding on the topic and turned it into a much more detailed manuscript, which I intended to self-publish. Fate had other ideas for that book. After randomly meeting a publisher at another event, I landed a book deal, and my first book, Becoming THE Expert: Enhancing Your Business Reputation through Thought Leadership Marketing, was published.
That little book took me around the world. I’ve been fortunate enough to speak on the topic of thought leadership marketing everywhere from San Diego to Istanbul and everywhere in between, including numerous presentations and workshops, including my regular Content Marketing Bootcamps here in Gibraltar.
Five books and hundreds of events later, you’d be forgiven for thinking I was a pretty confident public speaker. And yet, whether I’m speaking to a handful of delegates in a training room or a theatre full of attendees at a larger conference, I’m often gripped by pre-event anxiety and find myself catastrophising every potential negative outcome. The fact is, I also suffer from imposter syndrome. I think we all do.
Don’t fret about failure
It’s inevitable that sometimes things don’t quite go to plan. I’ve delivered hundreds of training events and presentations, and while some have been better than others, I can honestly say that only one event was a complete failure. I was ill and in hindsight I should have cancelled the event. My fear of letting people down, ultimately led to me letting people down. I apologised, refunded my delegates, and tried to move on.
Over the years, I’ve learned that people are very forgiving if you treat people right and own your mistakes. However, a symptom of imposter syndrome will guarantee that you only ever focus on those negative experiences and not your previous successes. In such cases, my best advice is to give yourself a shake and continue to put your best foot forward. Good luck – you’ve got this!
SHARE THIS
OTHER
We all have bad days, right? In business, that can mean we don’t bring our A-game to work and perhaps our service slips. Maybe a dish takes too long to reach a table or a staff member sounds distracted at the till. This could lead to negative Google Reviews or on ‘that’ Facebook group that […]
With its largely service-based economy, you'd be forgiven for thinking that Gibraltar didn't have to deal with the problem of toxic waste, perhaps more commonly seen in countries reliant on manufacturing, mining and even agriculture. However, every gaming company, insurance firm, fintech organisation, retailer, restaurant, and literally every other business on the Rock is potentially responsible for producing a particularly nasty waste byproduct - e-waste.
Finding time to sit down with a book can feel like a luxury sometimes. We seem to be pulled in all sorts of directions, yet many of us still want to learn and stay exposed to new ideas. Podcasts have filled part of that gap. They’re accessible, conversational and easy to consume while commuting or […]
Building a personal brand isn't just about showcasing your professional accomplishments; it's about weaving your unique narrative, passions, and values into a cohesive identity that resonates with others. Here's how you can bring your personal brand to life, with practical examples to guide you at every step.
2 mins |
Business Plan Essentials
You have a brilliant idea. You can picture the logo, the customers, maybe even the first sale. But without a clear plan for how to get there, the idea risks staying exactly that - an idea. Starting a business without a plan is like setting off on a trip with no map. You might eventually arrive somewhere, but it is unlikely to be where you hoped. A business plan is not just paperwork. When written with care, it is a roadmap that guides every decision, a pitch that wins support, and a source of confidence on the days when challenges mount.
In the latest edition of Thrive, regular contributor John Hayes reflects on the uncertainty facing small and medium-sized businesses in Gibraltar. From Brexit fallout to ever-changing frontier delays, he unpacks why the border remains a top concern—and how local firms are adapting. While resolving post-Brexit cross-border issues is beyond the scope of this correspondent, there are practical steps business owners can take to mitigate and manage the challenges of this uncertainty.
In an increasingly digital work environment where we have more emails, WhatsApp messages & interruptions than ever before, many business leaders started looking at ways of alleviating the stress that comes with this increased workload. Relaxing the dress code and letting your team dress down and wear in more casual clothing is one way of doing this….Or is it?
Success doesn’t just happen; it’s built on a strong foundation of preparation, clarity, and taking consistent action. Whether you’re launching a new business, taking your current side-hustle full-time, or looking to scale in a competitive market, having the right plan in place is essential.
Over the past few years, I’ve noticed the same logo cropping up more and more often. On coffee cups. On consultancy websites. In email signatures and pitch decks. The familiar B Corp badge, quietly signalling that a business is trying to do things differently. With our horizons widening post-treaty, could this globally-relevant badge could become a way of promoting your CSR values to an international market?
Corporate Social Responsibility is no longer just for big companies. Small and medium-sized businesses are making a real impact through practical, authentic actions that reflect who they are. From supporting sport, culture and charities to rolling up sleeves for environmental projects, consistent CSR builds trust, loyalty and pride. When businesses show up for their community in meaningful ways, those efforts are noticed and often returned.
“People want to know the stories behind the products they buy. It’s not just about what’s on the shelf, but the journey it took to get there.” – Stella, Spirit of The Rock As consumer habits shift towards mindfulness and sustainability, the concept of slow shopping has emerged, offering both challenges and opportunities for small businesses. Slow shopping encourages consumers to take their time, make more thoughtful purchases, and focus on quality over quantity.
Introducing the Thrive Catalog - A curated collection of goodies selected by our editorial team each quarter. Everything featured is available right here, right now at prices that are better than or compete with the internet.
The world of work is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by the accelerating capabilities of Generative AI. While robots taking over our jobs might be a sci-fi trope, AI’s ability to learn, create, and automate tasks is undeniably impacting various industries. Generative AI is the umbrella term used to describe the type of AI that can create new content and ideas. This can include text, images, music, code and other types of content. We are now seeing how powerful this tool can be. But is this a threat or a powerful tool waiting to be harnessed? We set out to find out, what does the use of Generative AI look like in Gibraltar?
Stepping into a leadership role can be exciting. It’s a chance to shape the future and lead a team to success. But with a leadership role comes a new level of responsibility. You’re suddenly the person others look to for direction and answers, and it’s your role to create a workplace where they can thrive - while also being accountable for their work. And that isn’t always an easy balancing act. Leadership is a learning curve - an eternal one at that. By focusing on a few key behaviours and techniques, you can set yourself on the right path to lead well, build a great high performing team and help your business grow.
From the increasing influence of AI to the rise of social commerce and sustainability-driven consumer demand, the key to success lies in adapting strategically rather than chasing every new trend. This guide breaks down the most impactful trends for the year ahead—offering insights on how to integrate them into your business without losing sight of what already works. Smart adaptation, not blind reinvention, is the name of the game. Here's what to expect and how to make it work for you.
Gibraltar’s size means that shoppers don’t have too far to go to shop. Schools, supermarkets, entertainment, eateries and healthcare are all within easy reach. That hasn’t stopped Gibraltar's business community from wanting to meet its customers' needs online. I met three local businesses that have embraced eCommerce.
Technology is having a major effect on every aspect of our lives, and the retail environment is not immune to these changes. Not only has online shopping revolutionised the way we think about buying and consuming, but it has also dramatically changed how we shop in physical stores.
Since 2007, Earth Hour has been known as the biggest hour for the planet as millions of people switch their “lights off” as a symbolic action for the environment
Raju Purswani examines Ted Baker’s fall, sharing sharp lessons for entrepreneurs: stay true to your brand, beware of overhauls that alienate customers, and balance growth with identity. A cautionary tale with insights every business can learn from.
My name is John Hayes, and I'm a really busy guy. Busy procrastinating most of the time. You wouldn't believe how many unessential tasks I had to complete before sitting down and writing this article. Those sales reports and emails don't check themselves. Yep, I've been busy. Busy doing nothing. We've all had one of those days where we feel like we've been incredibly "busy" - but can't quite put our finger on what we actually accomplished. Maybe we spent three hours answering emails, another two fiddling with a spreadsheet no one asked for, and another hour in a meeting that could have been an email or WhatsApp message. At the end of it all, the to-do list somehow got longer, not shorter.