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Coach Group

Replace Self-Doubt with Genuine Confidence

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome Training 1 day

Imposter syndrome is the feeling that people’s success is undeserved and that, at any moment, they will be exposed as frauds. This course helps people understand the cause and effects of imposter syndrome, and it equips people with practical methods to replace self-doubt with genuine confidence.

Available as live online training via Microsoft Teams, or as bespoke in-house training tailored to your organisation.

★★★★★
"The course was very detailed and the content was specific. Makes you think about your day to day activities and want to make change and readdress. The trainer was clear and ensured group participated willingly." - Sam Evans, International Greetings (UK) Ltd
Quality Training
Established 1997
6 CPD Hours
Delivery Options Upcoming Dates

Course Overview

What is Imposter Syndrome - How to Overcome it?

One in three working adults in the UK experience imposter syndrome at some point in their careers, according to research by YouGov. The Daily Mirror featured these findings in an exclusive investigation into imposter syndrome, in which Corporate Coach Group founder Chris Farmer explained the psychology behind the condition and the practical methods used to overcome it. The feeling that one's achievements are undeserved, and that exposure as a fraud is imminent, can hold highly capable people back from pursuing opportunities, performing at their best and accepting well-earned recognition.

Unlike assertiveness skills training, which focuses primarily on the outward communication of confidence, this course addresses the internal experience: the persistent, irrational beliefs that cause capable people to discount their achievements, magnify their mistakes and live in fear of being found out.

The course is structured around two themes. The morning establishes a thorough understanding of imposter syndrome: what it is, why it develops, how it perpetuates itself through self-fulfilling belief patterns, and how the self-concept, the set of beliefs a person holds about who they are, functions as both its root cause and its cure. Delegates learn how beliefs shape behaviour and how self-image determines confidence, building on insights that complement the broader work done in personal development training.

The afternoon provides practical models for change: the R.A.P.I.D. model of rational optimism for building genuine self-esteem, the Helping Hand Model for reframing stressful events, the distinction between killer questions and problem-solving questions, and techniques for directing mental energy productively. For organisations that are also supporting colleagues experiencing acute anxiety in the workplace, this content works well alongside mental health awareness training.

As seen in national newspapers: the Daily Mirror published an exclusive feature in collaboration with Corporate Coach Group exploring the causes of imposter syndrome, the YouGov research findings, and the practical techniques used on this course to help people overcome it. Read the Daily Mirror article.

Core Skills

The Key Skills Covered

This course is built around six evidence-based learning areas. Together they address the psychology of imposter syndrome, provide structured models for overcoming it, and develop the practical habits that sustain genuine, lasting confidence.

  1. 1

    Understanding Imposter Syndrome

    Imposter syndrome is the persistent belief that one's success is the result of luck or deception rather than genuine ability, combined with a fear that others will eventually discover the truth. Understanding its definition, its prevalence and the psychological mechanisms that sustain it is the essential first step. One in three working adults experience it; recognising it gives you the power to address it.

  2. 2

    Self-Concept: the Cause and the Cure

    Your self-concept is the integrated set of beliefs you hold about who you are. Imposter syndrome arises when the inner self and the outer self are in conflict: when the person you believe yourself to be does not match the competent professional others see. This course teaches you how to resolve that conflict and build a coherent, realistic and positive self-concept that reflects your genuine capability.

  3. 3

    The R.A.P.I.D. Model of Rational Optimism

    The R.A.P.I.D. model is a structured method for building genuine self-esteem. Unlike hollow affirmations or forced positivity, it applies rational, evidence-based thinking to the beliefs that underpin self-doubt. You will learn to apply the model systematically so that confidence becomes a reasoned position, grounded in evidence, rather than a performance you maintain for others.

  4. 4

    The Helping Hand Model for Reframing

    The Helping Hand Model is a practical framework for changing how you feel about stressful or challenging situations. By reframing events through a structured set of questions, you learn to shift from threat-based emotional responses toward constructive, growth-oriented ones. This model is immediately applicable to real situations you encounter at work, from critical feedback to public recognition.

  5. 5

    Problem-Solving Questions vs. Killer Questions

    The questions you ask yourself in difficult moments determine both how you feel and what you do next. Killer questions amplify self-doubt and generate paralysing anxiety; problem-solving questions direct attention toward evidence, options and forward action. You will learn to identify and replace killer questions systematically, developing a constructive internal dialogue that supports confidence and focus.

  6. 6

    Directing Mental Energy and Emotional Balance

    Managing imposter syndrome in the long term requires the ability to direct mental energy away from self-criticism and toward productive thinking. This session covers how to achieve an optimum balance of emotions, maintain motivation and focus, and sustain the new self-concept you have built throughout the day under real-world pressure and setback.

Who Is This Course For?

Who Should Attend This Overcoming Imposter Syndrome Course?

Designed for any professional who experiences persistent self-doubt, feels undeserving of their success, or holds back from opportunities because of a fear of being exposed as inadequate.

High Achievers Experiencing Self-Doubt

Develop a rational, evidence-based self-concept that reflects your genuine capability rather than your fears.

Recently Promoted Managers and Leaders

Overcome the feeling of being underqualified for your new role and lead with authentic confidence.

Anyone Experiencing Chronic Self-Doubt

Replace the persistent belief that your success is undeserved with a stable and genuine sense of self-worth.

All Professionals in Demanding Roles

Learn practical, repeatable methods for sustaining confidence and mental focus in high-pressure environments.

Also highly valuable for HR professionals and managers who want to support team members experiencing imposter syndrome, graduates entering the workplace for the first time, and anyone returning from a career break who wants to rebuild confidence and professional self-belief.

Course Agenda

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome Course Details

AM

Morning Session • Understanding imposter syndrome and its root causes

Establish a clear, evidence-based understanding of imposter syndrome: what it is, who it affects, how it sustains itself through self-fulfilling belief patterns, and why the self-concept is both its primary cause and its most powerful cure.

We begin by defining imposter syndrome precisely. It is the persistent, unfounded belief that one's success is the result of luck, timing or deception rather than genuine ability, combined with a fear that sooner or later others will discover the truth. Research by YouGov found that one in three working adults in the UK experience it. Despite being common and well-documented, it remains widely misunderstood; many people who experience it believe they are alone, which itself compounds the problem. This session establishes a shared, accurate understanding of the phenomenon as the foundation for everything that follows.
Imposter syndrome produces a range of interconnected effects. Emotionally, it generates persistent anxiety, a reluctance to seek recognition and chronic self-doubt. Behaviourally, it leads people to avoid new opportunities, underplay their achievements, overwork in an attempt to compensate for perceived inadequacy, or attribute their successes entirely to external factors. Professionally, it prevents capable people from pursuing promotion, contributing ideas in meetings or accepting responsibilities that match their actual ability. Understanding these effects clearly is important because it allows delegates to recognise the syndrome's influence in their own lives and working patterns.
The self-fulfilling prophecy is a mechanism by which the belief that something is true causes behaviour that makes it true. A person who believes they do not deserve their position may hold back in meetings, defer to others unnecessarily or avoid claiming credit for their work. These behaviours can then be interpreted by colleagues as signs of limited capability, apparently confirming the original belief. In this session we examine exactly how imposter syndrome uses the self-fulfilling mechanism to maintain itself, and why breaking the cycle requires changing the belief rather than simply changing the behaviour.
Your self-concept is the integrated set of beliefs you hold about who you are. Imposter syndrome arises when the inner self and the outer self are at odds: when the person you believe yourself to be in private does not match the competent professional others see at work. This conflict is experienced as fraudulence. The resolution is not to lower the outer self to match the inner belief, but to upgrade the inner belief to match the evidence of the outer self. This session explores the nature of the self-concept, how it is formed, and how integration of contradictory self-perceptions produces a stable, genuine and positive identity.
The R.A.P.I.D. model is a structured five-step method for building genuine, evidence-based self-esteem. It works by applying rational thinking to the specific beliefs that sustain imposter syndrome, replacing them with more accurate and constructive assessments. Unlike superficial affirmation techniques, this model engages the intellect: it gives people a logical process for evaluating the evidence honestly and arriving at a self-assessment that is both realistic and positive. Delegates practise applying the model to their own situations during the session.
PM

Afternoon Session • Practical models and techniques for lasting change

Move from understanding to application: learn and practise the Helping Hand Model for reframing events, the distinction between killer and problem-solving questions, and the techniques for directing mental energy toward productive thinking and emotional balance.

A common response to imposter syndrome is to perform confidence rather than develop it: to project an assured exterior while the internal experience remains one of fraudulence and anxiety. This approach is counterproductive for several reasons. The effort required to maintain the performance is exhausting; the gap between appearance and internal experience reinforces the sense of fraudulence; and colleagues often sense the inauthenticity even when they cannot identify it precisely. This session examines why faking confidence fails and why developing genuine self-esteem is both more effective and more sustainable.
The Helping Hand Model is a practical five-step framework for changing how you feel about a stressful or challenging event. Rather than suppressing negative emotions or ignoring difficult experiences, the model provides a structured method for re-evaluating them in a way that is constructive and growth-oriented. Delegates learn to apply the model to real situations: a critical piece of feedback, a mistake at work, a missed opportunity or a comparison with a more experienced colleague. With practice, the model becomes a reliable tool for maintaining emotional composure under pressure.
The questions we ask ourselves in difficult moments determine both how we feel and what we do next. Killer questions amplify self-doubt, direct attention toward worst-case scenarios and generate paralysing anxiety; for example: 'What if I am not good enough?' or 'What will people think when they find out I do not know the answer?'. Problem-solving questions redirect attention toward evidence, options and constructive action. In this session delegates learn to identify killer questions in their own thinking and replace them systematically with questions that produce focus and forward movement.
Mental energy is a limited resource. When a significant portion of it is consumed by self-doubt, rumination and anxiety about being exposed, there is less available for the focused thinking, creative problem-solving and confident engagement that professional performance requires. This session covers practical techniques for redirecting mental energy away from self-defeating thought patterns and toward productive activity. Delegates learn how to notice when imposter thoughts are consuming mental capacity and how to reclaim that energy quickly.
Sustained professional performance depends on maintaining an optimum emotional balance: sufficient self-belief to act decisively, sufficient self-awareness to learn from mistakes, and sufficient equanimity to handle both success and setback without being destabilised. This session examines what that balance looks like in practice, how imposter syndrome disrupts it, and how the models and techniques covered throughout the day contribute to restoring and sustaining it. Delegates identify their own typical emotional patterns and develop a plan for managing them.
The afternoon closes with a structured review of all the key concepts and models covered during the day, consolidating understanding and identifying how each element relates to the others. This review is designed to ensure delegates leave with a clear, integrated picture of both the psychology of imposter syndrome and the practical tools available to overcome it, rather than a collection of isolated ideas.
The final session is devoted to personal action planning. Each delegate identifies the specific beliefs, questions and situations in which imposter syndrome most affects them, and creates a written plan specifying what they will do differently on returning to work. Delegates also receive details of the post-course portal, where additional resources are available, and the three months of free telephone coaching included with every Corporate Coach Group course.

Availability and Pricing

Course Formats and Delivery Options

Choose from scheduled open imposter syndrome - how to overcome it courses, live online training or bespoke in-house imposter syndrome - how to overcome it training for your organisation. Each format covers the same practical methods and learning outcomes.

Online Live Training

£150 +VAT

per delegate

Interactive live sessions delivered via Teams using our superior green-screen technology.

  • Same content as face-to-face
  • Learn from home or office
  • Delivered via MS Teams
  • Laptop or tablet with webcam
View Online Dates

Bespoke In-House

£2250+VAT

per training day

We come to you. Training delivered at your premises, tailored to your team's specific needs.

  • Your premises or online
  • Tailored to your organisation
  • Dates to suit your schedule
  • We can train in your timezone
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All Our Training Includes

Full 1 day of expert training delivered by an experienced trainer
CPD-endorsed course: 6 CPD training hours (plus 2-3 additional hours via post-course online learning)
Full digital interactive course notes
Official training certificate
Access to free additional training material via our post-course portal
3 months of free telephone coaching while you implement your learning

Questions? Call 020 3856 3037 or 01452 856091

Upcoming Dates

Next Available Course Dates

No upcoming dates are currently listed.
Please get in touch to enquire about availability.

Contact Us

Frequently Asked Questions

Course FAQs

You can book directly online via our course dates page, call us on 020 3856 3037, or make an enquiry and we will call you back. We accept payment by BACS, cheque or credit card. Once booked, you will receive a confirmation email with full joining instructions.
Yes. We can deliver this course exclusively for your team at your premises or online, on dates to suit you. Bespoke in-house training is priced per day rather than per delegate, making it cost-effective for groups of four or more. We can also tailor the content to address your organisation's specific challenges.
Delegates come from a wide range of industries and levels of seniority. Many are high achievers who, despite a strong track record, feel that their success is somehow undeserved or that they have fooled the people around them. Others attend after a promotion or career change that has triggered or intensified feelings of inadequacy. Managers, technical specialists, graduates entering the workplace and professionals returning from a career break all find the course immediately relevant to their experience.
Yes, the training is highly interactive. Sessions include group discussions, exercises, case studies and individual action planning. The trainer actively teaches expert content rather than simply facilitating discussion, so delegates leave with structured knowledge they can apply immediately. The style is engaging and practical throughout.
Open courses run from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. Delegates are welcome to arrive from 8:45 am; tea and coffee are available from that time. The course includes mid-morning and mid-afternoon breaks plus a lunch break.

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On This Page

  1. 1 Course Overview
  2. 2 Key Skills
  3. 3 Who Should Attend
  4. 4 Course Agenda
  5. 5 Course Formats
  6. 6 Upcoming Dates
  7. 7 FAQs

Book This Course

Online Live Training £150 +VAT
Bespoke In-House £2250 +VAT/day
Book Open Course Enquire About In-House

Questions? Call us on

020 3856 3037
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Customer Reviews

What Delegates Say About This Course

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Read Our Customer Reviews
★★★★★

"The course content was very good. Initially worried it might be a bit 'airy-fairy' and not very practical, but I have learnt a lot, particularly the conflict wrong box/ right box. I feel a lot of it will be easy and do-able to put into practice."

Vikki Poole

The Binding Site

★★★★★

"The course content I felt was well prepared and has given me some good rational techniques for counteracting challenging behaviour. The trainer's presentation was very good, well spoken and experienced."

Louise Doyle

Nifylift

★★★★★

"Everything in the course was hugely beneficial, valuable and essential for a person's ability to improve themself, their mindset and how that can be applied into their life outside of work. I wish this was taught in schools, it's extremely essential and life-changing. Fantastic presentation all round, both visibly, interactively and easy to understand and digest, which makes it easier to practice and implement. I loved that there were multiple ways of remembering important points (diagrams, lists, mind maps, pictures) and using our own body to physically absorb and remember the points that were made. Thank you so much Chris, I know this will literally change my life for the better!"

Emma Kersley

Heart of England Forest

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Ready to Overcome Imposter Syndrome?

Enrol on our next live online session or speak to us about tailored in-house delivery for your team.

Book Open Course Enquire about In-House

Or speak to a member of our team directly:

020 3856 3037 01452 856091