What's Your Imposter Syndrome Type? Discover Your Hidden Pattern
- Diane@CourageOverComfortCoaching
- Sep 15
- 2 min read
That voice in your head after a big win: "You got lucky." The constant need to over-prepare. The fear that this is the week everyone finds out you're not as capable as they think.
If this sounds familiar, you're in powerful company. But here's the secret most people miss: imposter syndrome isn't one-size-fits-all. It shows up in different patterns, each with its own unique flavour of self-doubt.
Understanding your specific pattern is the key to finally breaking the cycle. It’s not about silencing the inner critic entirely, but about learning its tactics and disarming it with precision.
The 5 Common Imposter Syndrome Types
Most people experience a blend of these imposter syndrome types, but one is usually dominant:
The Perfectionist:
You set extremely high standards for yourself. Success is never quite good enough, and any mistake feels like a massive failure.
The Expert:
You feel you must know every single piece of information before you can start a project or speak up. You avoid new challenges for fear of not knowing enough.
The Soloist:
You believe you must accomplish things on your own. Asking for help is a sign of weakness or incompetence.
The Natural Genius:
You're used to skills coming easily. When you have to struggle or work hard to master something, you feel shame.
The Superwoman/Superman/Superperson:
You push yourself to work harder than everyone else to prove you belong. Your worth is tied to how many roles you can seamlessly juggle.
Which one resonates with you?
Discover Your Dominant Pattern (Free Quiz)
Guessing your pattern is a start, but knowing for sure is power. Our Imposter Syndrome Self-Assessment Quiz is designed specifically for leaders to pinpoint your dominant pattern in just a few minutes.
You'll get:
Your dominant imposter pattern and what it means for you.
Insight into how this pattern shows up in your leadership.
An actionable strategy tailored to your specific pattern to start quieting the doubt.
Why Knowing Your Pattern Changes Everything
You can't solve a problem with a vague strategy. You need a targeted approach.
For "The Perfectionist": The strategy is about embracing "good enough" and redefining success.
For "The Expert": The strategy is about valuing action over exhaustive preparation and accepting a healthy level of uncertainty.
Knowing your pattern gives you the language to understand your behaviour and a clear starting point for change.
Your Pattern Doesn't Define You. Your Response Does.
These feelings are a common response to high achievement. The goal is to manage them so they no longer hold you back from your true impact.
Ready to overcome your specific pattern? If your quiz results reveal a dominant pattern that's holding you back, let's create a plan to tackle it.
Book a free clarity call with me. We can discuss your results and build a strategy for unshakeable, authentic confidence.
