Imposter syndrome gets a lot of airtime these days. You’ve probably heard the phrase more times than you can count: “It’s self-doubt. A mindset issue. You need to build confidence.”

And yes, part of that is true. And what if we’ve been looking at it from only one side?

What if imposter syndrome isn’t simply about internal insecurity—it’s also a signal that the external environment isn’t built for you to feel like you belong?

The Classic Narrative Falls Short

Let’s rewind for a moment.

The traditional take on imposter syndrome paints it as a psychological hiccup—something that happens to high-achievers who can’t internalize their own success. They over-prepare, downplay praise, and attribute accomplishments to luck. The common fix? Self-talk. Journaling. “Own your worth.”

And here’s the problem: you can do all of that and still walk into a room and feel like your presence is an exception, not the norm. Not because you’re under qualified— because maybe the room wasn’t designe...