If you’re a business owner experiencing imposter syndrome, you’re not alone — and more importantly, it might not be what you think it is. Over two-thirds of U.S. workers reported experiencing workplace stress in the last month, with 57% reporting negative impacts associated with burnout — and those feelings hit even harder when you’re the one making the final decisions. 

That gnawing feeling that you don’t belong here? That everyone will eventually figure out you have no idea what you’re doing? That feeling isn’t a character flaw. But I’ll tell you what it often signals: you’re trying to do too much alone. 

The High Achiever’s Dilemma 

I spent years building businesses, making hard decisions, handling everything because I could. But being good at something doesn’t mean it’s the best use of your time. The irony is that imposter syndrome often hits high achievers the hardest. What we’re really struggling with isn’t competence. We’re struggling because we’re operating in the wrong zone. 

The Zone of Genius Versus Excellence 

Here’s a distinction that changed everything. Gay Hendricks wrote about this in The Big Leap, and I recommend it to every entrepreneur. Your zone of excellence is where you’re good — really good. Your zone of genius is where you have high impact, you’re energized, and your unique gifts matter most. 

For years, I was the person who could fix our IT problems. I was genuinely excellent at it. But my husband Mark finally said: “I’m firing you as the IT department.” He was right. Installing servers myself meant I wasn’t doing strategy and building culture — things that actually drive the business forward. I belonged doing those things. 

When I finally outsourced IT, I didn’t feel relieved. I felt guilty. But I learned a crucial lesson: being good at something doesn’t mean you should be doing it. 

The Burnout Beneath the Imposter Feelings 

Here’s what data shows: Gallup discovered that 76% of employees experience workplace burnout at least sometimes. When you’re exhausted and wearing every hat, every small mistake feels like proof you’re a fraud. Every decision that doesn’t pan out becomes evidence you shouldn’t be running this business. 

But that’s not evidence of incompetence. That’s evidence that you need a team. 

The costs are real. Burned-out employees are 63% more likely to take a sick day and 2.6 times as likely to be seeking a different job. And when you’re the business owner, that sick day might cost you a major client. 

One of the hardest things I’ve learned: Done is better than perfect. Sometimes I have to put my ego aside and let other people lead. 

What Imposter Syndrome Is Really Telling You 

The hidden signal most business owners miss 

42% of working adults reported experiencing burnout within the past six months, and many are high performers thinking about walking away. But what if that feeling isn’t a sign you should quit? What if it’s a sign you should evolve? 

Most business owners experiencing imposter syndrome have simply outgrown their current role. You started as a technician doing the work, then became a manager, and now you’re supposed to be a leader. Those are three different skill sets. The real sign of leadership isn’t doing it all yourself. It’s building a team capable of doing it without you. Understanding how limiting perspectives keep entrepreneurs trapped is the first step toward breaking free. 

The Three Questions That Separate Real Problems from Imposter Syndrome 

To know whether you’re experiencing imposter syndrome or actual misalignment, ask yourself these three questions: 

1. The Impact Question: Will the business suffer if Idon’tdo this task? 
2. The Genius Question: Does this task requiremy uniquegifts and insight? 
3. The Energy Question: Am I energized by this work, or am I drained by it?

If you answer “no” to all three questions, it’s not your job anymore. It’s time to delegate. 

The Path Forward 

Practical steps to move from self-doubt to strategic leadership 

Start by looking at your calendar. Not what you wish you did — what you’re actually doing. Ask yourself: Is this in my zone of genius? Does this require my unique gifts? If the answer is no to all three, why are you doing it? 

I had to stop asking, “Can I do this?” and start asking, “Should I be the one doing this?” Learning how to delegate strategically is essential. Then comes the scary part: trusting someone else with it. Not someone perfect. Someone good enough who can do 80% as well as you, freeing you to focus on what only you can do. 

When I finally gave things away, I was happier. My team was happier. The business grew faster. And my imposter feelings quieted down. I was leading. And that feels nothing like fraud. 

Why the Right Support Changes Everything 

For over a decade, we’ve been placing highly trained, fully vetted Filipino employees with businesses across dozens of industries. These are full-time team members who receive health insurance, dental coverage, educational scholarships for their children, and ongoing leadership development. 

Our process is rigorous. We screen hundreds of candidates, train each one for 40 hours, and only the top performers make it through. That’s why one of our clients, Connie, a founder of a substance abuse counseling agency, shared: “Mara is consistently thinking one step ahead for me with not just office duties but also personal things that I may need to take care of. She is organized and keeps me organized. She is a rockstar!” 

That’s what we’re after. Peace of mind. The ability to focus on your zone of genius instead of drowning in your zone of excellence. For less than $20,000 per year, you get a dedicated, full-time employee with benefits included. No payroll taxes. No HR headaches. Just solid support that lets you breathe. 

If You’re Ready to Stop Drowning 

If you’re reading this and thinking, I know I need help, but I don’t know how to start—that’s exactly where I was too. Clear expectations, good training, and the grace to let people learn through mistakes—that’s the formula. 

Many business owners discover they can take back their time by having the right person handle the administrative burden. Others find themselves escaping the admin quicksand that had been keeping them stuck. 

You don’t need to fix yourself. You need to build better systems, delegate strategically, and operate from your zone of genius, not your zone of guilt. 

The imposter feeling you’re having? It’s not proof you don’t belong. It’s proof you’re ready to stop doing this alone and start leading at a higher level. And that’s when everything changes. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q: How do I know if I’m experiencing imposter syndrome or if I’m actually not cut out for running a business? 

A: Real imposter syndrome has a specific pattern: you doubt yourself despite evidence of success. You’re making good money, clients are happy, but you feel like a fraud anyway. If you’re genuinely struggling operationally (losing clients, missing deadlines, making expensive mistakes), that’s not imposter syndrome. That’s a signal you need systems or support. Imposter syndrome is the voice that says you don’t deserve your success. It often appears right before a major growth phase. 

Q: What’s the difference between healthy delegation and abdicating responsibility? 

A: Healthy delegation means you’ve clearly defined the task, trained the person, checked in regularly, and you’re accountable for the outcome. Abdication means you’ve handed something off and disappeared. You’re still responsible for results; you’re just doing it through someone else. The distinction matters because effective delegation actually increases your workload temporarily while you set it up properly. That’s a sign you’re doing it right. 

Q: Where do I start if I want to delegate but I don’t know what to give away first? 

A: Start with tasks that drain you most. Not tasks you’re bad at — tasks you hate. Look at your calendar and identify activities that feel like time theft. Those are usually your best candidates for delegation first, because you’ll be motivated to make them work. Second priority: tasks that don’t require your unique expertise. Administrative work, scheduling, data entry. Third: bottlenecks in your business. If your approval is slowing down your team, that’s what to address. 

That imposter feeling you’re having? It’s not telling you that you’re not good enough. It’s telling you that you’re ready for the next level—and the next level requires a different approach. You’ve got this. But you don’t have to do it alone. 

Are you ready to move out of the burnout zone and into your zone of genius? Click here to schedule a free consultation and let’s talk about how the right team can transform your business and your life. 

 

About the Author 

Anne Lackey is the Co-Founder and CEO of HireSmart Virtual Employees, where she helps businesses scale with full-time, highly trained remote staff. With decades of experience in business operations and systems, Anne is a recognized expert in virtual staffing, process efficiency, and team building.