Readers divided on whether 'fake it till you make it' leads to success

Guardian readers responded to Gareth Edwards’s question about whether bluffing or "manifesting" can produce success, offering a mix of research-based points, personal anecdotes and warnings about harms. Several contributors argued that visualisation or feigning confidence can help when paired with concrete work.

Rachel Lewis, a chartered member of the British Psychological Society, said evidence suggests visualisation is most effective when combined with realistic appraisal, planning and sustained effort, and cited techniques such as mental contrasting. Others pointed to athletes or managers who appear to have benefited from projecting confidence, and an oft-cited Hewlett-Packard study was invoked to show gender differences in application behaviour.

At the same time, many readers emphasised the risks. Some described managers or professionals who lack competence but prosper through self-promotion (Andy, Elric17), while others warned that fakery can mislead customers, damage colleagues and harm organisations (PRCA01, DubGirl). One reader recounted a colleague whose AI-generated methods failed and produced unusable work, after which he was moved to a different role (Name withheld).

Overall responses were mixed: some said limited or context-specific confidence can open doors (Daniel Kenning, RPOrlando), while others argued that "fake it" or manifesting is not a reliable long-term strategy and can reach a dead end without real skill or mentorship (LorLala, Dorkalicious).

Key Topics

Culture, Gareth Edwards, Rachel Lewis, Hewlett-packard, Mental Contrasting, Impostor Syndrome