How Negative Thoughts Turn Into Behaviors That Hold You Back

In Part 1, we explored how your negative thoughts often trace back to childhood roles—strategies you unconsciously developed to feel safe, loved, or accepted.

But those early roles don’t just disappear. They evolve.

They become your internal voice. And for many high-achieving women, they become what we now call Imposter Syndrome Masks—the protective personas we wear as adults to avoid feeling exposed, inadequate, or unworthy.

These masks aren’t flaws. They’re strategies that once helped you survive.

But if you’re feeling stuck, burned out, or like you’re holding yourself back… it might be time to take a closer look.

Imposter Syndrome Masks

🎓 The Expert

Feels the need to know everything—and sees any gap in knowledge as failure. Even small mistakes bring up shame. Tends to avoid senior stakeholders, shares knowledge only in “safe” spaces, and lives with anxiety about being exposed for not knowing enough.

🛑 The Failure Avoider

Avoids taking risks that could lead to failure. Resists pushing for stretch assignments, asking for raises, or starting new ventures. Feels regret or frustration for not stepping into bigger possibilities.

🧠 The Natural Genius

Believes true competence should come easily. If they struggle to learn something, they feel like a fraud. Avoids showing the process, effort, or vulnerability that comes with learning.

🤐 The Soloist

Thinks asking for help is a sign of weakness. Prefers to manage everything alone. Fears that leaning on others will expose them as incompetent or undeserving.

🦸 The Superhero

Measures worth by how much they can juggle—work, family, leadership, and more. Feels responsible for solving everyone’s problems. Struggles to delegate or let go.

🕵️ The Behind-the-Scenes Leader

Avoids visibility and lets others take credit. Shies away from public-facing roles or speaking up in meetings. Fears that being in the spotlight will reveal their flaws.

How About You?

Which mask feels familiar? You might recognize yourself in more than one.

Take a moment to reflect:

• Where in your life or work do you notice these patterns?
• How have these masks helped you succeed or stay safe?
• And now—are they limiting you in any way?

Decide Your New Behavior

Once you recognize these patterns and the impact they’ve had, you get to choose what to do next. If they still serve you, there’s no need to change them. But if you sense they’re limiting your growth or possibilities, you have the power to shift them.

You don’t need to drop the mask all at once, and you don’t have to force confidence. Change starts with one small, intentional step—something just outside your comfort zone. A step that makes your heart beat a little faster, something that makes you say, “Yikes… but maybe.” Not overwhelming. Just stretching. You practice that one step until it feels natural. Then you take the next one.

💡 Here are a few small, meaningful steps you might try:

• The Expert can say: “I’m not sure—does anyone know the exact number?”
• The Failure Avoider can volunteer for something new, even if it feels a little risky.
• The Natural Genius can try a hobby they’re not naturally good at—and share the learning process.
• The Soloist can ask for input on a project, even just a second opinion.
• The Superhero can delegate one task—and trust someone else to handle it.
• The Behind-the-Scenes Leader can speak up in a small meeting, even just to share a quick update.

💬 Join the Women Leaders Club—a space for high-achieving women to remove the masks, break old patterns, and support one another in becoming who we truly are.