Imposter Syndrome and the ADHD business owner: How to stop holding yourself back

ADHD and ‘imposter syndrome’ can go hand-in hand, especially if you’ve spent any time trying to mask your ADHD to “fit in”.

As a business owner, it’s important to get a handle on your imposter syndrome so that it’s not holding your business back. But how do you do this alongside your neurodiversity? Let’s take a deep dive into imposter syndrome and ADHD.

I really don't feel good enough and everyone knows it!

Imposter Syndrome and ADHD as an entrepreneur

Almost everyone who pushes themselves outside of their comfort zone will feel like they’re not good enough at some point. In polls I’ve conducted when speaking at business events, 80% of respondents admitted to feeling like they aren’t good enough at some point, and more than half said this negatively impacts their business. It’s a big deal. And the audiences at these events weren’t especially neurodivergent.

For the ADHD business owner, it can be an even bigger deal.

If you grew up constantly comparing yourself to others - trying to force your round peg into a square hole, facing criticism, and feeling like you could never quite get things ‘right’ - it’s no surprise that imposter syndrome shows up in your business.

And when you leave employment to work for yourself, that feeling can be magnified. Suddenly, your success (or failure) is riding solely on you. No pressure!

What is Imposter Syndrome?

Imposter syndrome is the persistent fear of being exposed as a fraud, even when you’re skilled and capable. It’s the nagging voice that says, You’re not good enough. Everyone else knows what they’re doing, why don’t you?

Signs you might have imposter syndrome:

• You constantly compare yourself to others and feel inadequate

• You second-guess yourself - even in areas where you’re an expert

• You keep taking courses or getting qualifications instead of putting yourself out there

• Your inner critic is loud, pointing out everything you might be doing wrong and coming up with some compelling worst-case scenarios

• You avoid visibility and putting your head above the parapet because you’re afraid of being ‘found out.’

According to YouGov, around 66% of people experience signs of imposter syndrome, with up to a quarter of the UK reporting four or more symptoms. While having imposter syndrome is not directly linked to ADHD, it is an added layer of complexity when it comes to running a business.

How Imposter Syndrome holds your business back

When imposter syndrome takes over, it can stop you from doing the very things that help your business flourish. You might find yourself avoiding:

• Raising your prices – because who would pay that?

• Posting on social media – because what if I say something wrong?

• Networking – because people will judge me!

• Selling – because what if they reject me?

• Following up with clients and potential clients – because what if they say no?

• Public speaking or pitching – because what if I mess up in front of all those people?

In my research, ADHD business owners also admitted to avoiding creating websites, marketing, expanding into new markets, offering new services, and taking on growth opportunities – all because of imposter syndrome and their fear of not being good enough.

Is there any benefit to Imposter Syndrome?

According to research in Harvard Business Review, there are benefits to having imposter syndrome. It can make you more attuned to other people’s perceptions, can help you question more, and – up to a point – a certain level of stress can increase your performance.

However, having imposter syndrome is not a “good” thing as the detrimental impact far outweighs any benefits. Academics and researchers are also keen to point out that most people experience imposter syndrome at some point in their career.

The cost of Imposter Syndrome

Whether you push yourself through these fears or avoid dealing with them, imposter syndrome can lead to stress, anxiety, and even burnout. And as an ADHD business owner, burnout isn’t just bad for you, it can be terminal for your business.

How to overcome Imposter Syndrome as an ADHD business owner

The good news? You don’t have to let imposter syndrome run the show. There are plenty of ways to shift your mindset, quiet your inner critic, and build confidence without collecting PhD qualifications to ‘prove’ your expertise.

Next steps:

• Recognise that everyone doubts themselves sometimes - even the well-known experts

• Challenge your inner critic - would you speak to a friend the way you speak to yourself?

• Take small steps to stretch and expand your comfort zone, you’ll be amazed at how these small, repeated steps add up over the period of a year, and how things that used to scare you aren’t a problem anymore – you’ve moved on to something else...

• Focus on progress over perfection - because perfection is an illusion, and we are entering a new era of being human is preferable to perfect...

None of this is easy to do on your own, and imposter syndrome doesn’t just disappear overnight. But with the right strategies and support, you can learn to navigate it and take meaningful action in your business, without letting self-doubt hold you and your business back.

Recognise imposter syndrome in your business? Maybe it’s time to book a Breakthrough Call and find out how I can help you move beyond those fraudulent feelings and into the confidence that will help your business bloom.

Book a Breakthrough Call here