How Successful People Quietly Battle Self-Doubt and What You Can Do to Manage It

Do you ever worry someone will find out you’re not as capable as you seem—despite everything you’ve achieved?

That’s not just self-doubt. It’s imposter syndrome—a hidden mindset that convinces even the most high-achieving professionals they’re undeserving of their success. And it’s quietly robbing your career confidence, clarity, and joy.

In this empowering episode of the Thrive Careers Podcast, psychologist and talent agent Dr. Albert Bramante joins career strategist Olajumoke Fatoki to explore why so many driven people—especially those stepping into leadership roles or navigating career transitions—secretly feel like frauds.

🎯 Here’s what you’ll learn:

• Why imposter syndrome often spikes after promotions, new roles, or big career wins
• The unexpected way your upbringing shapes your workplace self-worth
• A simple daily practice (“The Happy File”) to build authentic confidence and motivation—without faking it

💼 Whether you’re job searching, leading a team, or pivoting careers after 30, this episode is your toolkit for lasting self-belief in fast-moving, high-pressure environments.

📘 Bonus Resource:
Download the Career Clarity Playbook—your free guide to reconnecting with your strengths and building a career that fits you:
👉 https://bit.ly/CareerClarityPlaybook

🎧 Stop second-guessing yourself. Start owning your brilliance.
Tap play now to reclaim your confidence and start showing up like the leader you already are.

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Transcript

Olajumoke Fatoki: Hello and welcome back to another episode of the Thrive Careers Podcast, where we explore the tools, stories, and strategies that help you not just survive, but truly thrive in your career. Today, we're diving into something deeply personal and incredibly common: imposter syndrome. That quiet voice that whispers, "I don't belong here," even when all the evidence says otherwise.

My guest today has helped hundreds of creatives silence that voice. Dr. Albert Bramante is a talent agent with over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry. He’s helped actors land roles on TV, film, and Broadway—and more importantly, he helps them overcome the inner roadblocks that hold them back. Dr. Bramante holds a PhD in psychology, is a certified hypnotist, and an NLP practitioner. He’s on a mission to help people get out of their own way and own their brilliance.

Dr. Bramante, welcome to the Thrive Careers Podcast.

Albert Bramante: Thank you for having me. It’s truly an honor to be here with you and your audience.

Olajumoke Fatoki: I’m so glad to have you on. I’m particularly excited about this conversation because imposter syndrome is something I’ve personally experienced. As an HR professional and career coach, I’ve seen it show up for so many others too. So let's start from the top—how would you describe imposter syndrome, beyond the textbook definition? How does it actually show up in everyday life?

Albert Bramante: At its core, imposter syndrome is self-doubt. It’s that feeling that you’re not good enough or not worthy of what you’ve achieved. Whether you’re a corporate professional, a teacher, a coach, or an actor—it’s the sense that you don’t belong, that you’re not capable, and someone will eventually find out.

This is personal for me too. Despite all my years of experience, I’ve faced this myself. It’s deeply rooted and often comes from the messages we received growing up. Well-meaning parents and teachers might have said things that stuck with us in unhelpful ways.

Olajumoke Fatoki: That resonates. I remember the first time I felt imposter syndrome was when I landed a job that felt like a huge step up. The title was big, the portfolio was massive, and I kept thinking, “Someone’s going to realize I don’t belong here.” I walked on eggshells in those early days, but eventually I grew into the role and thrived. Still, those early feelings were intense.

Albert Bramante: Exactly. It's common, especially when stepping into new territory. We fear change and crave comfort, and those feelings can trigger self-doubt. The key is to normalize it. Feeling this way doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with you—it means you’re human. And reminding yourself of your qualifications and achievements helps. You earned that role. You didn’t get it by accident.

Also, sometimes we grow up with mixed messages about success or money—like "money is the root of all evil." That kind of subconscious programming can lead to anxiety when we do achieve something big. Working through that with a coach or therapist can be incredibly helpful.

Olajumoke Fatoki: You also mentioned earlier that even very successful people struggle with imposter syndrome. That really stood out to me. Why do you think that is?

Albert Bramante: It’s more common than people think—even A-list actors have moments of doubt. The key is not to let those feelings stop you. It’s about working with imposter syndrome, not necessarily "overcoming" it completely. Acknowledge it, but keep going. Seek training, find mentors, and keep learning. That’s how confidence builds.

Olajumoke Fatoki: That’s such a powerful reframe—working with it instead of trying to eliminate it. So how do we stay authentic in a world where there’s so much pressure to appear confident and perfect?

Albert Bramante: The first step is realizing perfection is a myth. You can be authentic and successful. Stay true to your values and purpose. You don’t need to become someone else to lead. Be inspired by others, but don’t copy them. There’s only one Tony Robbins. The world doesn’t need another one—it needs you.

Olajumoke Fatoki: I love that. But how do people get comfortable with being themselves—especially when they admire someone successful and feel like they don’t measure up?

Albert Bramante: Start by challenging the limiting beliefs you’ve internalized. Journaling can help. So can working with a coach or therapist. Affirmations are great, but you need to believe them. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help. That’s not weakness—it’s courage.

Olajumoke Fatoki: You talk about something in your book called the "Happy File." Can you explain what that is and how it helps with confidence?

Albert Bramante: Absolutely. The Happy File is a physical journal where you record your wins—positive feedback, accomplishments, praise you’ve received. When self-doubt creeps in, you revisit those entries. It’s a tangible reminder that you are enough. I use it myself, and it’s been a game-changer.

Olajumoke Fatoki: I love that idea. Let’s also talk about failure. How can we reframe failure as a stepping stone instead of a setback?

Albert Bramante: There’s a principle from NLP that says there’s no failure, only feedback. Think about babies learning to walk—they fall hundreds of times, but they keep going. They don’t say, “I give up on walking.” That mindset is key. Every mistake brings us closer to success.

Olajumoke Fatoki: That visual is so powerful. So many of us would benefit from seeing failure that way. Last big question—what builds real and lasting confidence?

Albert Bramante: Confidence is a learnable skill. Surround yourself with confident, positive people. And step outside your comfort zone—especially if something scares you. Action builds confidence. Take that first small step, and then keep going.

Olajumoke Fatoki: So good. If you had one magic wand to instantly boost someone’s confidence, what would you recommend?

Albert Bramante: Action and accountability. People get stuck in “someday” mode. Someday I’ll write the book. Someday I’ll launch the podcast. No—start now. Even a tiny step forward is powerful.

Olajumoke Fatoki: Amazing. Dr. Bramante, thank you for this insightful conversation. Where can listeners find you?

Albert Bramante: You can connect with me on LinkedIn, Instagram, or my website albertbramante.com. And remember: you are enough. The world doesn’t need another Tony Robbins—it needs you.

Olajumoke Fatoki: Perfectly said. And that wraps up today’s episode of the Thrive Careers Podcast. Until next time—keep thriving!