“If they just knew who I really am, they wouldn’t want me here,” you think to yourself. Or maybe you say, “They must have me confused with someone else, otherwise there is no way I would get this promotion.”
If you’ve ever experienced this, you’re not alone. This is what is called “imposter syndrome.”
Put simply, imposter syndrome is a feeling of insecurity in one’s own abilities and accomplishments. It’s a feeling that you don’t deserve your successes and that at any moment you could be “found out” as a fraud.
Statistics on the prevalence of imposter syndrome are staggering. In one study, 82 percent of people said they have experienced feeling like an imposter.
It’s important to remember that you are not alone if you are feeling like an imposter. Imposter syndrome is not a sign of weakness or a lack of capability.
Yet, it must be addressed. Unaddressed, imposter syndrome will inevitably impede your professional and academic efforts. You’ll be constantly creating obstacles — real or imagined — that hinder your advancement.
The good news is that with some hard work, reflection, and a few tips and strategies, you can learn to move beyond imposter syndrome and start believing in your own leadership potential.
Understanding the causes of imposter syndrome
Societal and cultural factors behind imposter syndrome
Imposter syndrome is often an issue of perception. In our society, success is often viewed negatively, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy.
In other words, when we succeed at something, we may not give ourselves credit, instead believing that we only succeeded because of luck or because we cheated or tricked our way to success.
This is related to a psychological concept called “self-efficacy.” Self-efficacy is the belief in one’s own capability to achieve a goal. It’s an important component of self-confidence and resilience.
When we don’t have a firm foundation of self-efficacy, it’s very easy to slip into feelings of imposter syndrome.
This message is further reinforced in some cultures that expect people to be humble and modest about their accomplishments.
Modesty is indeed important, but there is a difference between true and false modesty.
False modesty can lead to a cycle of self-doubt and insecurity. It’s important to recognize when we actually do have something to be proud of, even if we don’t feel like sharing it with everyone.
Personal experiences and psychological factors in imposter syndrome
In addition to the societal and cultural factors, personal experiences and psychological factors can play a significant role.
Individuals who have experienced childhood trauma, bullying, or other forms of discrimination are more likely to suffer from imposter syndrome.
This could be because these experiences have caused them to develop negative beliefs about themselves and their abilities, or because they have been repeatedly told they simply aren’t good enough to a actually achieve anything.
Among minorities, studies have found that imposter syndrome is more common than among white professionals and students.
Race, socioeconomic status can have a significant impact on one’s experience of imposter syndrome.
There are also psychological factors at work.
For example, individuals with perfectionistic tendencies may struggle with feelings of imposter syndrome because they think that they have to be perfect to be accepted or successful.
These people tend to focus on their “failures” much more than their successes, leading to a distorted sense of self-worth.
Other psychological factors behind imposter syndrome include:
- Fear of failure — Individuals may be so afraid of failure that they become paralyzed and unable to take risks or chances.
- Low self-esteem — Individuals may not believe in their own potential which leads to feelings of self-doubt and insecurity.
- Insecurity — Individuals may be so insecure about themselves and their abilities that they become consumed with the fear that others will realize that they’re not as “skilled” as they appear to be.
- Lack of trust in their own judgment — Individuals may be hesitant to trust their own judgment because they think their ideas are not good enough.
- Feelings of inadequacy — Individuals may feel that they don’t possess the skills or abilities required to be successful, leading to feelings of inadequacy.
For example, a person may have a strong academic background, but lack the confidence to pursue a promotion at work because they feel like they don’t have all of the skills needed to do the job.
This person may be experiencing all of the above psychological points, leading them to be paralyzed in their career advancement.
However, knowing this isn’t enough. Someone experiencing imposter syndrome has to actually have some strategies to overcome imposter syndrome, which is where now turn.
Strategies for overcoming imposter syndrome
Mindset shift: reframe thoughts and beliefs about success
You can’t control your past experiences, your family of origin, or your cultural background, but you can control your mindset.
A mindset shift begins with explicitly stating what you are believing. If you’re stuck in the “I’m not worthy of this new job I was hired for” mindset, take a step out and try to look at what is behind that pattern of thinking. Why are you not worthy? Be explicit.
You may come up with something like, “I’m not worthy of this job because I lack experience and people skills.”
Then ask yourself, “How does this line of thinking impact my ability to perform in this new job?”
Such thinking would likely hamstring you as you become more caught up in your own thoughts than in actually carrying out the duties of the job. It may also lead to lower and lower self-esteem, causing to constantly second guess every decision.
Now, ask yourself, is that statement you came up with really true? After all, the hiring manager clearly believed you have the experience and people skills for the job. You have an education and previous job experience in the field. You have references that can back up your ability to perform.
Ask yourself: “What do I have to bring to this job that others don’t?” and “What skills do I possess that will make me successful in this role?” You have them, so take some time — no matter how long — and actually write those out.
Focus on your strengths and the talents that you bring to the table, recognizing that it wasn’t a mistake that you got hired for this job.
Whenever you begin to fall back into those old patterns of thinking, you can go back to that list and see that you’re supposed to be in this place, doing this job!
Practicing self-compassion and self-care
We all have a unique set of strengths, weaknesses and experiences that shape who we are. We all make mistakes, and that’s ok. It’s important to practice self-compassion and self-care to connect with your true worth and value.
Self-compassion means being kind to ourselves and embracing our flaws. It means not being so hard on ourselves when we (inevitably) make mistakes or fail. It means finding a way to bounce back and learn from those experiences.
Self-care means taking time for yourself, engaging in activities that relax and uplift you, and being mindful of your mental and physical health.
Take a break if you’re feeling overwhelmed by tasks or having a really rough week.
Talk to someone supportive, simply connecting with what truly makes you happy, or even just take a 10 minute walk in nature.
Sometimes overwhelming feelings of imposter syndrome can be fixed by a snack, a nice walk, some deep breaths, and some good music.
Make sure you’re regularly practicing good stress management habits and avoiding the extreme negative effects that come along with chronic stress.
Setting realistic goals and celebrating small wins
Another key part of managing imposter syndrome is to set realistic goals, and celebrate small wins and successes.
Take a few moments to think about what you need to do to accomplish your goals and set up a system for tracking your progress.
Developing SMART goals is a key practice here.
Break big tasks into small, manageable pieces and then celebrate as you cross each one off your list. When you finish a small project, take a few minutes to recognize your accomplishment and revel in the feeling of success.
By breaking big tasks down, you’ll find that it doesn’t take much time to make meaningful progress and prove that little voice in your head wrong!
Building a support system and seeking guidance from mentors or coaches
Creating a network of support from people who believe in you and your talents is a great way to fight imposter syndrome.
Talk to friends and family members who can give you the encouragement and support you need when you are feeling down or lacking confidence.
It can also be helpful to find other new leaders in your organization who you can be vulnerable with while being a mutual encouragement.
It’s also useful to attend roundtables, conferences and workshops that foster open and honest dialogue about leadership and imposter syndrome.
If you’re stuck or in need of someone trained to give you guidance in this area, consider seeking out a professional coach. They can help you identify and address flawed meaning to move forward.
Asking questions, expressing vulnerability, and telling your story can be comforting, and it’s an important part of growing, learning and conquering imposter syndrome.
Get equipped to grow as a leader
For many people in a new leadership role, the reality is that they may truly be somewhat ill-equipped for the role. In that case, there are many resources like our emerging leaders guide that can start as a launching point for personal development.
In fact, our entire leadership blog is devoted to equipping leaders to grow and make a greater impact, no matter where they are on their journey.
There are many other great podcasts, video courses, books, professional development programs, academic degrees, etc. etc. all designed to help you have what you need to become the best leader you can possibly be.
Conclusion
Imposter syndrome can be incredibly stifling to a leader’s potential. It can lead to lower self-esteem, a lack of confidence, and even a feeling of worthlessness, which can be incredibly detrimental to your ability to lead effectively
However, by taking a few key steps, we can start to address and overcome imposter syndrome. By shifting your mindset, practicing self-compassion and self-care, setting realistic goals, celebrating small wins, building a support system and seeking out guidance from mentors and coaches, you will be well equipped to recognize imposter syndrome and move past it.
Rather than letting imposter syndrome stop you in your tracks, recognize it and own your ability to rise above it. By utilizing the steps we discussed, you can grow and become the leader you’re meant to be.
You may never be free of self-doubt, but you can learn to silence that voice, believing in yourself and your potential. Remember: You are capable. You are valuable. You are a leader.