That feeling of “faking it”? It’s called expat imposter syndrome

You were a high-performer in your home country. You were confident, respected, and clear on your value. You led teams, managed complex projects, and knew exactly what you were doing. 

Then you moved to the Netherlands. 

Now, you sit in meetings feeling a sense of dread. You second-guess your contributions, your foreign experience suddenly feels irrelevant, and the directness of your Dutch colleagues sounds like constant, harsh criticism. You feel like at any moment, someone will “find you out.” 

This feeling has a name: Expat Imposter Syndrome. 

It’s an anxiety that hits high-achievers the hardest. It’s not that you became less competent. It’s that the context that proved your competence has been removed. 

• Your experience isn’t valued: You have to “re-prove” your seniority to a new audience. 
• The rules are different: Your established communication style (perhaps more indirect or polite) doesn’t land. 
• Dutch directness erodes confidence: What you hear as “That won’t work” or “I disagree” feels like a personal attack, not a debate. 

This isn’t a personal failing; it’s a classic “personal effectiveness” challenge. You’ve lost your footing, and your self-efficacy—your belief in your ability to succeed—is shaken. The good news? This is a situational problem, and it can be solved with a new strategy. 

You Have the Skills. We Have the Strategy. 

You understand why you feel like an imposter. You know it’s the context, not your competence. But knowing that doesn’t stop the feeling of anxiety when you’re in a high-stakes meeting. 

• Does your heart race when you have to challenge a Dutch colleague? 
• Are you worried your experience will be dismissed? 
• Is the fear of “sounding stupid” in a non-native language holding you back? 

This hesitation is your real obstacle. You are a highly-skilled professional. What you need is a sparring partner. 

A Gort coach specialized in the expat experience doesn’t just tell you “be confident”; they practice with you. We help you translate your value, reframe Dutch directness, and build the genuine confidence to act. 

Stop feeling like a guest at your own career. Learn how to own your place at the table. 

This is a learnable skill. Plan your free, no-obligation orientation call today to start rebuilding your professional confidence.