Ever found yourself doubting your achievements, feeling like a fraud at work despite clear evidence of your capabilities? That gnawing doubt – specifically, that others might see you as smarter or more competent than you feel – is impostor syndrome.

It can strip you of your confidence, dim your self-esteem and fuel anxiety. It’s not just a women’s issue; men are just as susceptible.

What if I told you it may not be all bad? Impostor thoughts, while often labelled as wholly negative, might just have a silver lining.

Feelings of pretence might seem gloomy but there can be benefits.Credit: iStock

Intriguingly, Basima Tewfik, an assistant professor at MIT Sloan School of Management, has conducted a series of studies that suggest this self-doubt might have an unexpected upside. Her findings reveal that impostor thoughts can lead you to overcompensate in one critical area: interpersonal relationships, which are invaluable in most careers.

In one of her studies involving doctors in training, those who frequently experienced........

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