Develop that mental image of the perfect PR practitioner – poise, confidence, that feeling of a familiar face when they walk into the room. They really get it; they excel at all tasks and are highly valued in the industry. This is what so many students in this field, including me, aspire to become. But just as you start to feel like you’re stepping into that dream version of your life, you may find yourself—like I have—paralyzed by fear, feeling like a fraud and worried that at any moment, your true self will be exposed. That, my friend, is imposter syndrome.
The term “imposter syndrome” was first introduced by psychologists Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes in 1978, who described it as the internal experience of believing that one is not as competent as others perceive them to be. People affected by this experience feel as though their achievements were earned by luck rather than skill and worry about when their identity will be “found out.” According to psychologist Pauline Clance, individuals experiencing impostor syndrome “persist in believing that they are really not bright and have fooled anyone who thinks otherwise.”
Imposter syndrome is prevalent among PR professionals due to the nature of the industry: it is creative and strategic, making decisions and crafting answers that are rarely cookie-cutter or predictable. Campaigns rely heavily on personal judgment, storytelling and relationships; when those areas begin to suffer, the people behind the brand begin to internalize the results as an individual failure.
PRMoment recently conducted a survey that found 83.3% of marketing and PR professionals report experiencing impostor syndrome in the workplace, indicating that more than 4 out of 5 experience it at some point in their careers. On that note, it is not surprising to see imposter syndrome appear in those in communications roles, particularly in public relations. With the ever-changing PR landscape, including the growing use of AI in the workplace, these feelings of doubt about one’s job competency seem to come to the forefront of practitioners’ minds.
Of course, these individuals tend to be part of the industry’s high-achieving segment. According to Dr. Valerie Young, author of The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women, people experiencing imposter syndrome tend to set extremely high standards for themselves and interpret even small mistakes as proof that they are not capable. Young explains that “imposter feelings are not a reflection of your ability but a response to certain patterns of thinking.”
One of the most effective ways to work through these insecurities is for PR professionals to do what they do best: create space for conversation and speak openly about these experiences. By releasing the nagging thoughts, they can prevent the feeling of imposter controlling their every move. More than likely, it will build a sense of community. People feel safer when they feel understood and know you are not alone—and most certainly not an imposter—can bring a powerful sense of relief in such a fast-paced industry.
Ultimately, the scariest part of imposter syndrome isn’t that others will find you out—it’s that you might start believing it yourself.
That the opportunities you’ve earned begin to feel like accidents. That your voice gets quieter in rooms you fought to be in. That you shrink, not because you lack ability, but because you’ve convinced yourself you do.
And in an industry built on making others believe in something, the hardest sell can become believing in yourself.
So don’t let your inner thoughts hinder your potential – let it fuel it.
