Imposter syndrome is sneaky. It doesn't always announce itself as fear or doubt. Sometimes it just whispers things like, "You're not ready," "You don't really belong here," "Eventually, someone will figure out you don't know what you're doing."

A couple years ago, I found myself in the thick of it — juggling big responsibilities at work and pursuing grad school at the same time. On paper, I was successful. In reality, I was questioning whether I had any value to add at all.

Then something shifted. I was out for a run when I heard a quote on the Armchair Expert podcast that stopped me in my tracks:

"Confidence comes from having a point of view." — Dax Shepard

At first, it didn't seem earth-shattering. But it hit me at just the right time. I thought: Wait. I have a point of view. I have thoughts. I have opinions. I know things. So why was I so hesitant to speak up?

The truth is, the more I've learned, the more I've realized just how much I don't know. That humility can be healthy — but it can also erode your confidence if you're not careful.

IMPOSTER SYNDROME OFTEN HITS THE MOST COMPETENT

Imposter syndrome often hits those who are more competent, not less. It's the mirror image of the Dunning-Kruger effect — the more you know, the more aware you become of what you don't know. That awareness can lead to self-doubt — but it doesn't mean you're not qualified. It means you care.

For actuaries and technical professionals: we're brought into conversations because we do know something others don't. Our analysis, insights, and point of view are what others are counting on.

That quote reminded me that expertise doesn't mean having all the answers. It means being thoughtful, curious, and willing to share your perspective. Ever since, my imposter syndrome has slowly started to loosen its grip.

Here's to walking into every room knowing we've earned our seat at the table.