“I Don’t Belong Here” — How I Broke Free from Imposter Syndrome and Reclaimed My Confidence
Duncan Batty
By Duncan Batty
Head of Development | EmPower Mental Fitness
Fear of being found out.
Fear of not being good enough.
In my professional life, these fears were always there.
I don’t remember the first time they appeared.
But I remember the first time they didn’t.
The Room Where I Didn’t Belong
I’d walk into a room or log onto a Teams meeting. The people there might be complete strangers — or people I’ve known for years. It didn’t matter.
The feeling was the same:
“I don’t belong here.”
Not that I was in the wrong place — this wasn’t like stepping onto the wrong train or clicking the wrong Zoom link. I was meant to be there.
I just didn’t feel like I belonged. And everyone else in the room — people I respected — must surely know it.
I’ve lived with a level of imposter syndrome for most of my working life. I had trained myself to act small, hoping not to be noticed. The people around me? They always seemed more competent, more confident, more... adult.
To speak up felt like exposing myself. Like handing everyone in the room proof that I was out of my depth.
The Impact on My Career
I arrived at every new job expecting someone to pull me aside and say there’d been a mistake. That the offer wasn’t meant for me. That I didn’t belong.
On paper, my career in the charity sector looks solid — even successful.
I’ve helped restore natural landscapes and supported volunteers protecting local spaces.
I’ve worked to ensure vulnerable young people get a good start in life, and those nearing the end of life are treated with dignity.
I’ve directed NHS funds to where they’re needed most.
I’ve been a Trustee of a grant-maker, and coached fundraisers who’ve gone on to do incredible things.
Colleagues and friends have told me my work is exemplary. And still — the doubt never went away.
Here’s what I learned:
You can’t rationalise your way out of an emotional problem.
I kept trying to pile up achievements like weights on a scale, hoping they’d tip the balance against self-doubt. But no matter how high the stack, it wasn’t enough.
When Things Changed
Everything shifted when I stumbled upon the EmPower Mental Fitness Programme.
It didn’t try to fix me with positive affirmations or empty encouragement.
Instead, it gave me tools — practical, science-backed strategies that I could use every day. That changed everything.
Here’s what worked:
Action beats procrastination. Small, repeatable actions helped me rebuild momentum and shift my mindset.
Connection is key. Deliberately reaching out to others made me feel seen, safe, and strong.
Challenge creates change. Facing down my negative beliefs helped me build new, positive ones.
Authenticity is freedom. Living in alignment with my values brought joy back to my work and life.
The Results
I became a better version of myself.
I make time for the people I love and who make me feel safe.
I’ve rediscovered the joy of live music, comedy, theatre — and I’ve fallen in love with basketball.
I’ve stepped into my professional presence more fully:
Posting on LinkedIn
Enjoying networking
Recording a podcast (!)
Writing honestly — including this blog
In 2025, I walked into a new role as Head of a small charity. But this time, I believed I deserved to be there. I knew my experience had value, and I was ready to lead. When it turned out the role wasn’t the right fit, I had the strength to walk away — because I wasn’t clinging to validation. I was living in congruence with my values.
Why I Said Yes to EmPower
I don’t remember the first time I let fear guide my choices.
But I do remember the moment I stopped.
That’s why, when I was invited to join the EmPower team and help others break free from the same patterns, I said yes.
Because working in alignment with your values — at work, at home, in life — is powerful.
If you’re ready to discover what EmPower can do for you, let’s connect.
Join Us in London for Something Special 💛
Alan and Duncan are hosting the first-ever EmPower live seminar this July in London — and we’d love for you to be part of it. This is more than just an event; it’s an opportunity to reconnect with what matters, recharge your mindset, and start building real mental fitness.
✨ Limited spaces. Big impact.
Interested?
Email Duncan directly at duncan.batty@em-po.com — he’d love to hear from you.