Flipping the Script: Turning Impostor Syndrome Inside Out

Imagine this: It’s the morning of your big remote job interview. You’re sitting at your desk, laptop set up, your resume within reach, and you’ve rehearsed your responses countless times. But just as you’re about to log in, that familiar feeling creeps in. Suddenly, it feels like you’re in the movie Inside Out, but this time, there's a new character in the control room: Impostor Syndrome.

Script: Impostor Syndrome Inside the Mind

(INT. CONTROL ROOM – MORNING)

Camera zooms in on a bustling control panel. The buttons are labeled with emotions: JOY, SADNESS, ANGER, FEAR. A new, shadowy button labeled IMPOSTOR SYNDROME flickers ominously.

IMPOSTOR SYNDROME (a shadowy figure with a smug grin, draped in a cloak that seems to flicker between visibility and invisibility):
leans in close to the microphone, whispering
“Are you really prepared for this? What if they realize you’re just a fake? Are you sure you deserve this job? You’ve been lucky so far, but luck runs out. They might ask questions you can’t answer. What if they’re thrown off by your accent?”

JOY (now slightly disheveled but still holding on, gripping the JOY button tightly):
“Remember all the hard work you’ve put in! You’ve got this!”

IMPOSTOR SYNDROME
chuckles darkly and casually flips the switch labeled DOUBT
“Yeah, but what if you mess up? What if they think you’re just another underqualified candidate who oversold themselves? You don’t belong here.”

Narrative Transition:

And just like that, a wave of self-doubt washes over you. Impostor Syndrome has taken the wheel, overshadowing all the preparation and confidence you’ve built up. This scenario is all too common, especially for those navigating new environments — whether it’s a remote job interview, transitioning from one career to another, or stepping into roles where BIPOC professionals are underrepresented. For me, this is a familiar scene every time I have to present, whether in front of two or hundreds. But what if I told you there’s a way to silence Impostor Syndrome and walk into spaces with the confidence you deserve?

Let’s explore how to overcome this internal saboteur and empower ourselves to succeed, especially for those of us navigating cultural transitions, career shifts, or breaking barriers in traditionally homogeneous spaces.

Understanding Impostor Syndrome

Impostor Syndrome is more than just feeling nervous; it’s the overwhelming belief that you don’t deserve your accomplishments, despite evidence to the contrary. It can lead to attributing successes to luck, minimizing achievements, and fearing exposure as an “impostor.” This is especially prevalent among high achievers and those facing new challenges, such as cultural transitions or breaking into new professional fields.

One thing I’ve learned is that Impostor Syndrome can sneak up on us quickly and at the most inopportune times. To help flip the script, let’s turn to our trusted team inside the control room — Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and yes, even Disgust. Each of these emotions has a unique strategy for keeping Impostor Syndrome in check, ensuring you can navigate your career transitions, job interviews, and professional challenges with utmost confidence.

Conquering Impostor Syndrome

Let’s break down how each of these emotions can help you silence Impostor Syndrome and take control of your narrative.

Joy’s Perspective: Celebrate Small Wins

Joy knows that celebrating even the smallest victories can boost your confidence. Whether it’s nailing a practice question, getting positive feedback from a peer, or just showing up prepared, take time to acknowledge these moments. Joy would suggest keeping a “Joy Journal” where you record these successes daily. This will help reinforce your achievements and keep Impostor Syndrome at bay.

Sadness’ Perspective: Name It to Tame It

Sadness isn’t here to bring you down — quite the opposite. She encourages you to recognize and name Impostor Syndrome when it appears. Acknowledging your feelings of doubt can actually help you manage them better. Sadness would recommend talking it out with someone you trust or even writing down your thoughts to understand where they’re coming from. By naming the feeling, you start to take control over it.

Fear’s Perspective: Prepare and Persist

Fear has a role to play too — by pushing you to prepare and persist despite the doubts. Fear is what makes you double-check your facts and rehearse your answers, which isn’t a bad thing. But Fear also knows that sometimes you have to push through the anxiety and “do it scared.” The trick is to use Fear’s energy to fuel your preparation, not to paralyze you. Fear is like fire when — controlled, it sharpens your focus and drives you to excel; left unchecked, it can consume you with doubt. Use it to fuel your preparation, not to burn your confidence.

Disgust’s Perspective: Challenge Perfectionism

Disgust has no patience for unrealistic expectations, especially when they lead to unnecessary stress. She’s here to remind you that perfection isn’t the goal — progress is. Challenge the need to be flawless by setting realistic goals and allowing yourself to make mistakes. Disgust would roll her eyes at the idea of being perfect and encourage you to focus on doing your best, not being the best.

Anger’s Perspective: Advocate for Yourself

Finally, Anger isn’t always a negative force. When channeled correctly, it can be a powerful tool for self-advocacy. If Impostor Syndrome makes you feel overlooked or undervalued, use that frustration to assert yourself. Anger would encourage you to speak up, ask for what you deserve, and remind yourself that your contributions are valuable.

Confidence Over Impostor Syndrome

By leveraging the unique strengths of each emotion, you can keep Impostor Syndrome in check

and approach your next job interview — or any professional challenge — with confidence. These strategies aren’t just about silencing the doubts; they’re about empowering you to be your authentic self, no matter the circumstances.

And as a bonus, from me to you: remember your “why.”

Why are you here… in this moment? Reconnecting with your purpose can provide motivation and help you stay focused, even when self-doubt creeps in. This is especially important for those navigating cultural transitions or working in spaces where they are underrepresented.

Impostor Syndrome might be a frequent visitor in your mental control room, but it doesn’t have to steer the ship. By drawing on the strengths of each emotion — celebrating your wins with Joy, naming your doubts with Sadness, preparing with Fear, challenging perfectionism with Disgust, and advocating for yourself with Anger—you can disrupt Impostor Syndrome’s influence.

Remember, you’re not just a passive character in your story—you’re the director, the screenwriter, and the star. So, the next time Impostor Syndrome tries to take the lead before a big interview or maybe even during your next salary negotiation, remind it who’s really in charge. What exactly do you have to lose?

‘Cause “wah fi yuh, cyaan un fi yuh.”

~Meisha