A note to software engineers and others experiencing imposter syndrome:

Hey friend,

I get it -- truly. Imposter syndrome is a crappy feeling. Unfortunately, it's one of those things that will swell up, and by the time you're through it, you're probably growing into another phase of your career where it'll come up again.

I've heard some people say that they don't think imposter syndrome is real (i.e. maybe you ARE an imposter), but I think it's bullsh*t. Many extremely successful people experience it routinely. I'm no expert in psychology but I suspect it comes from some amount of insecurity or lack of self-confidence at some level. Even small amounts of self-doubt can creep in and have a big impact.

I always find that sharing transparent stories about feeling like an imposter is a great way to "ease" it a little bit for others. I'm not saying it's a solution by any means, because I think it takes time and some work for you to prove to yourself that you're truly capable, but I think it helps.

I'm a principal software engineering manager at Microsoft. Outside of work, I create content daily about educating software engineers, particularly with C# for programming examples. One day, I used some allocated learning time to try learning about a new programming language. For context, there are team members that will be learning the same language and I want to be able to support them as they make progress.

But it felt awful.

I felt like I had never coded a single line in my life when I started today. I've been programming for 20+ years. I felt like a complete newbie, so imposter syndrome started kicking in. How can I expect to teach others if I'm having a hard time? Am I even going to be able to do this and get to a point where I can even use the language?

But as much as it sucks to feel that way, I'm reminding myself that this happens all the time. The self-doubt kicks in.

I wouldn't be where I am in my career if I didn't have these circumstances that force me to get uncomfortable and learn.

So that made me feel like an imposter. But I know I'm not one. I know based on my experience I'll feel uncomfortable for a bit and then power through it.

I'm sure you will too.

A side note as an engineering manager: I hope that you can establish a good trust and respect relationship with your own manager. Let them know how you're feeling. They might be able to do a better/alternative job giving you positive feedback to remind you that you're on track.

Wishing you success, friend. You'll do great.

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