Steven Bartlett Reframes Imposter Syndrome as ‘Inexperience’ in New LinkedIn Post

In a recent LinkedIn post, entrepreneur and media personality Steven Bartlett offers a fresh perspective on imposter syndrome, reframing it not as a sign of incapability, but rather as a natural consequence of inexperience. Bartlett shared his personal experience of joining the cast of the popular business reality show “Dragon’s Den” at the age of 28 to illustrate his point.

Understanding the Nuance of Self-Doubt

Bartlett recounts the intense feelings of nervousness he experienced before his first appearance on the show, despite his established business acumen. He highlights the stark contrast between his internal role-playing since childhood and the reality of being under the glare of television cameras with millions watching.

“My hands are sweating?! Heart thumping in my ears! Not because I couldn’t evaluate businesses. I’d built and sold companies and made investments… But I’d never done it with cameras rolling and millions watching.”

This visceral reaction, Bartlett explains, is often misattributed to a fundamental lack of ability. He argues that the human brain struggles to differentiate between the signal for “I’ve never done this before” and “I can’t do this.” This confusion, he posits, is the root of what many people experience as imposter syndrome.

From ‘Imposter’ to ‘Growth’

Bartlett details how, as he gained experience on “Dragon’s Den” – pitching after pitching – his nerves subsided, and the unfamiliar environment became comfortable. He notes that the intensity of these feelings often correlates with the importance and growth potential of the task at hand.

“And the thing is, Imposter syndrome hits the hardest when you’re doing something that really matters – that you really care about. When you’re exactly where you should be. When you’re growing!”

This observation leads Bartlett to propose a new term: “growth syndrome.” He suggests that embracing this perspective shifts the focus from a perceived deficit to an opportunity for development. As Bartlett points out, “I wasn’t an imposter. I was a 28-year-old who’d never been a Dragon before.” He further elaborates on the potential advantage of this inexperience:

“The lack of experience is not the problem, but it always holds an advantage – that’s what you focus on.”

Belonging and Perspective

The core message of Bartlett’s post is one of empowerment. He encourages individuals facing daunting new challenges to recognize their inherent right to be in those spaces.

“You belong in every room you’re brave enough to enter and the room that intimidates you most is the one that needs your perspective the most!”

According to Bartlett, the very situations that trigger feelings of inadequacy are often the ones where new perspectives are most valuable. By reframing imposter syndrome as a natural byproduct of stepping into unfamiliar, significant roles, he aims to help individuals overcome self-doubt and embrace opportunities for growth.