Resilience & Imposter Syndrome: A Systemic Challenge

At the Federation of Small Businesses Bootcamp, Synthosys co-founder Dr Vanessa Pozzali delivered a keynote on resilience and imposter syndrome — issues that affect leaders and organisations of every size.

Vanessa reframed imposter syndrome as more than a personal struggle. She argued it is often a systemic issue, shaped by the culture and environment leaders operate in. Her advice to participants was simple but powerful: leverage your environment — don’t carry it alone.

She also highlighted how resilience is too often misunderstood as endurance. Instead, true resilience comes from creating organisational systems where collaboration, clarity, and adaptability are the norm.

Takeaway: Imposter syndrome and burnout aren’t just individual problems — they’re cultural signals. By reshaping the system, leaders can create resilience that’s shared, sustainable, and far less lonely.