Podcast #151 - Navigating the Imposter Experience

In episode #151 of the Growth Series podcast, Angelika Christian, Strategic Partnerships and Propositions Manager at Accord Mortgages, is joined by Josie O’Hanlon, Learning Design Lead at Yorkshire Building Society, to explore a topic that affects far more people than many realise: the imposter experience.

Even the most capable professionals can find themselves questioning whether they truly belong, despite years of experience, strong performance and proven results. In an industry where confidence and credibility are essential, those feelings can often go unspoken. This episode shines a light on why they occur, why they are more common than we think, and how they can influence the way we show up at work.

Drawing on her extensive experience in learning and development, Josie shares a fresh perspective on the language we use around imposter syndrome, explaining why reframing it as an “imposter experience” can be a powerful first step towards understanding it. Together, Angelika and Josie discuss some of the factors that can contribute to self-doubt, from career progression and workplace pressures to the expectations we place on ourselves.

The conversation also explores why feelings of uncertainty often appear when we are growing professionally, and why being outside our comfort zone may be a sign that we are developing rather than failing. Along the way, Josie offers practical insights and thought-provoking reflections that challenge some of the assumptions many of us hold about confidence, success and self-worth.

For anyone who has ever downplayed an achievement, questioned their abilities or hesitated before taking the next step in their career, this episode offers an honest and relatable discussion. It is a conversation that encourages reflection, challenges limiting beliefs and provides a fresh way of thinking about confidence in the workplace.

Listen to more podcasts in the Growth Series here.

The Growth Series is a dedicated and FREE resource for mortgage brokers, containing blogs, guides and podcasts to help you scale and grow your business. For more hints and tips on how to grow your business, access for free here.

02:15 - 39:25

• 02:15 – What Sparked Josie’s Interest for the Topic?
• 07:00 – The Common Signs We Often Overlook
• 13:00 – Promotions, New Roles and Feeling Out of Place
• 18:30 – Research into Women & the Imposter Phenomenon
• 23:00 – Techniques to Navigate the Imposter Experience
• 31:45 – Supporting Colleagues Through Self-Doubt