Over This Should

I Should Feel Confident By Now: The Real Root of Imposter Syndrome

Pamela Meadows Episode 44

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0:00 | 10:39

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Have you ever looked around a room and thought:

“Everyone here knows what they’re doing… except me.”

Even though you’re qualified.
 Even though you’ve earned your seat.
 Even though people trust your leadership.

That quiet voice saying “they’re going to find out” has a name: imposter syndrome.

And if you’ve felt it, you are far from alone. Research suggests up to 70% of high-achieving professionals experience imposter feelings at some point in their careers.

In this solo episode of Over This Should, Pamela breaks down the deeper truth behind imposter syndrome and why it shows up most often in capable, ambitious women.

This conversation goes beyond surface-level advice. Pamela walks through a Five Whys analysis to uncover the real root cause of imposter syndrome and how it’s often tied to belonging, achievement conditioning, and the pressure to perform.

You’ll learn:

• Why imposter syndrome is most common among high performers
• The hidden connection between achievement and belonging
• How “gold star conditioning” follows women into leadership roles
• The subtle ways imposter syndrome affects visibility, negotiation, and decision making
• Five practical shifts to rebuild self-trust and leadership confidence

If you’ve ever thought:

“I should feel more confident by now.”

This episode is for you.

Because confidence isn’t a prerequisite for leadership.
 Self-trust is.

🎧 Listen in and start dismantling the “should” that keeps so many brilliant women playing smaller than they deserve.