Imposter syndrome is complicated. Sure, it’s not always a bad thing, but it can get in the way and keep you from doing stuff, which is annoying. Here’s something to think about next time you feel like an imposter: you have the advantage of a fresh perspective.


Here’s how author, researcher, and professor Andy Molinsky explains it over at Harvard Business Review:

You might not realize it, but there are great benefits to being new in your field. When you are not steeped in the conventional wisdom of a given profession, you can ask questions that haven’t been asked before or approach problems in ways others haven’t thought of. It’s no surprise, for example, that some of the best research ideas I get as a professor come from undergraduate students with little previous experience.


You will eventually get to the point where you aren’t overwhelmed by your work anymore, it’s not as challenging, and you stop feeling like an imposter. In the meantime, relish your fresh perspective and think of your inexperience as an advantage.

Everyone Suffers from Imposter Syndrome—Here’s How to Handle It | Harvard Business Review