According to Fortune, NYU marketing professor and serial entrepreneur Scott Galloway has completely reframed how we should think about imposter syndrome. On his podcast The Prof G Pod, Galloway argued that feeling like an imposter actually signals you’re exactly where you should be professionally. He shared his own experiences feeling like he “fooled them” getting into UCLA, Morgan Stanley, and graduate school. Galloway specifically addressed “class-based imposter syndrome” that affects people from working-class backgrounds in corporate environments. His core message: if you’re not in rooms where you feel slightly undeserving, you’re not trying hard enough to advance your career.
Reframing Discomfort as Growth
Here’s the thing about Galloway‘s perspective – it turns conventional self-help advice completely upside down. Most career coaches treat imposter syndrome as something to overcome, like it’s a psychological defect. But Galloway sees it as evidence you’re stretching yourself. And honestly, he’s got a point. Think about it – when was the last time you felt completely comfortable while actually growing? Probably never. The most challenging roles, the biggest promotions, the career jumps that actually matter – they all come with that gut-wrenching “what am I doing here?” feeling.
His comparison to athletic training is spot-on too. Muhammad Ali didn’t win fights by feeling comfortable during training – he pushed through brutal discomfort. Galloway’s advice to “train like crazy” during those first six to twelve months in a new role is basically the professional equivalent. Do your homework, observe room dynamics, listen more than you speak. It’s not about pretending you belong – it’s about earning your place through preparation.
The Overconfidence Trap
Now here’s where Galloway gets really insightful about what NOT to do. He warns against the opposite problem – younger professionals who assume they’re smarter than everyone else. He admits making this mistake himself, throwing out “big sweeping statements and insights” only to realize they were either inaccurate or already considered. Sound familiar? I’ve definitely seen this play out in meetings.
The dangerous part? Overconfidence often masks deeper insecurities. People who constantly need to prove they’re the smartest person in the room are usually compensating for something. Galloway’s approach flips this – embrace the discomfort, acknowledge what you don’t know, and focus on adding real value rather than just looking smart. It’s a much more sustainable way to build credibility.
Practical Application
So what does this actually look like day-to-day? Galloway suggests being thoughtful about when you contribute. Ask yourself: is my comment actually adding value, or am I just trying to prove I belong? That moment of hesitation before speaking? That’s not weakness – that’s professional maturity. It’s the difference between being the person who talks a lot and the person who says things worth hearing.
And for people from working-class backgrounds navigating corporate environments? This mindset shift could be genuinely transformative. Instead of seeing cultural differences as deficiencies, view them as unique perspectives. The “unspoken cultural fluency” of wealthier peers isn’t necessarily superior – it’s just different. Sometimes that outside perspective is exactly what organizations need, even if it feels uncomfortable at first.
Healthy Skepticism
But let’s be real – there’s a limit to this philosophy. Constant, debilitating imposter syndrome isn’t healthy either. If you’re waking up with anxiety every single day, that’s not growth – that’s burnout waiting to happen. Galloway’s talking about that productive discomfort, not soul-crushing self-doubt.
The key distinction? Productive imposter syndrome drives you to prepare better and listen more. Toxic imposter syndrome paralyzes you. Galloway’s approach works when you pair that “I don’t belong here” feeling with the “but I’m going to earn my place” action. You can watch his full take in this episode and see additional perspectives on professional growth. The bottom line? A little discomfort means you’re growing. No discomfort means you’re stagnant. Choose your poison.
