Do you ever feel like a fraud?
Maybe you think that you don’t deserve recognition or success, even if all the logical evidence suggests that you do?
Perhaps you’re waiting to be found out with a ‘gotcha’ moment, where your workplace all suddenly come to the alarming realisation that you’re incompetent, you don’t belong, and that all your achievements up to this point in your career are not real.
If so, then it sounds like you were dealing with imposter syndrome.
And you wouldn’t be alone in feeling this way, as research shows that 70% of people will feel this way at some point in their lives.
But what can you do about it?
In this article, we look deeper into the different types and definitions of imposter syndrome, why people are experiencing these negative self-thoughts, and finally what you can do about it.
What is Imposter Syndrome?
Imposter Syndrome is a psychological phenomenon where individuals doubt their accomplishments and have a persistent fear of being exposed as a “fraud” despite evident success.
This syndrome can affect anyone, regardless of their social status, work background, skill level, or degree of expertise.
What is the Root Cause of Imposter Syndrome?
The root causes of Imposter Syndrome can be multifaceted, often stemming from personality traits such as perfectionism and family upbringing.
External factors like workplace culture and societal expectations also play significant roles.
Understanding these causes is crucial for addressing the syndrome effectively.
If you are experiencing this issue, it may take some self-reflection as every individual’s circumstances are different.
Are There Positives to Imposter Syndrome?
Interestingly, Imposter Syndrome can have some positive aspects.
It can drive individuals to work harder and strive for excellence.
Research suggests that those experiencing Imposter Syndrome may develop stronger interpersonal skills and empathy, making them more effective in social interactions.
If you’re in a leadership position, this can be a hugely valuable skill as you may be better at active listening and communication, helping you to better develop the relationships and productivity of your team.
Also, if you have experienced mental struggles, and battled through to overcome them, this can build resilience which is an excellent trait for those pursuing a successful career.
Are Women More Likely to Experience Imposter Syndrome at Work?
Studies indicate that women are more likely to experience Imposter Syndrome, particularly in professional settings.
A KPMG study found that 75% of female executives across various industries have experienced Imposter Syndrome at some point in their careers.
This is alarming when compared with another study 38% of men admit to experiencing imposter syndrome.
This disparity is often attributed to societal and cultural factors, including gender biases and expectations, and is covered greatly in our Women+ in Leadership programmes.
Addressing these issues is essential for creating a supportive work environment.
What are the 5 Types of Imposter Syndrome?
According to Dr. Valerie Young, there are five main types of Imposter Syndrome:
The Perfectionist: Sets excessively high goals and feels like a failure if they fall short.
The Superwoman/man: Feels the need to work harder than everyone else to prove their worth.
The Natural Genius: Believes they should understand everything immediately and feels like a fraud if they struggle.
The Soloist: Prefers to work alone and feels they must accomplish tasks without help.
The Expert: Feels they need to know everything before starting a project and fears being exposed as inexperienced.
The 3 P’s of Imposter Syndrome
The 3 P’s that feed Imposter Syndrome are:
Perfectionism: The need to be flawless.
Paralysis: Feeling stuck and unable to take action.
Procrastination: Delaying tasks due to fear of failure.
Any of these traits sound familiar? Then let’s see what you can do to change it.
How to Beat Imposter Syndrome
Think of somebody you consider to be a successful person – perhaps a boss or a role model for you in your personal or professional life.
They have it all together, don’t they?
Wrong.
The chances are they, like most people, have experience imposter syndrome at some point in their life – and they may or may not have overcome it.
In order to beat this confidence-crippler, there’s several strategies you can undertake:
Recognise and acknowledge your feelings
Understand that these feelings are common and not a reflection of your actual abilities.
Challenge negative thoughts
Replace self-doubt with positive affirmations and evidence of your accomplishments.
Seek support
Talk to mentors, colleagues, or a therapist to gain perspective and encouragement.
Celebrate your successes
Regularly remind yourself of your achievements and the hard work that led to them.
Fake it ’til you make it
Act like the person you want to be – imagine what it would feel like to be the confident expert you’d like to be, and ‘try it on’. You might be surprised how far this will take you.
The 3 C’s of Imposter Syndrome
The 3 C’s model includes:
Clarify: Identify the origins of your Imposter Syndrome and understand its triggers.
Choose: Make conscious decisions to challenge and change negative thought patterns.
Create: Develop new habits and strategies to build confidence and resilience.
Drive Workplace Leadership
Effective leadership can help mitigate the issues around Imposter Syndrome by creating a safe, supportive and inclusive work environment
At Instep, we provide leadership training that extensively tackles and delves into the mental side of what it takes to become the best version of yourself.
We look at theoretical models and use experiential learning to ensure our leaners are putting this to practice on the job.
If you want to upskill your team, schedule a free educational consultation here.
