“Fake It Till You Make It”: Helpful or Harmful?

The concept of “fake it till you make it” suggests that by imitating confidence and competence, a person can eventually develop the skills and qualities they are pretending to have. While this strategy can sometimes help boost self-confidence and adapt to new roles, it raises questions about work quality and productivity.

According to a study by the Harvard Business Review, individuals who frequently rely on this approach may risk long-term career development and job performance. One employee, for instance, has spent eight months editing a fake Excel spreadsheet to appear busy. This behavior can undermine overall team effectiveness and lead to missed opportunities for genuine skill development.