Combat Imposter Syndrome in the Workplace
Arivu Recruitment and Consulting
Global recruiters specialising in SA, UK and USA markets. Finding you the leaders of tomorrow.
What is Imposter Syndrome?
Imposter syndrome is a psychological phenomenon where individuals doubt their own accomplishments and have a persistent fear of being exposed as a “fraud” despite evidence of their competence. People with imposter syndrome often experience feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt and anxiety, which can have a negative impact on their self-esteem and professional performance. These individuals may feel like they don’t deserve their achievements or that they only got their job or position through luck or connections, rather than their own abilities and hard work. It’s important to recognize and address imposter syndrome, as it can hinder personal and professional growth and prevent individuals from reaching their full potential.
Characteristics of Imposter Syndrome:
5 Types of Imposter Syndrome:
Ways to Overcome Imposter Syndrome:
If you’re struggling with imposter syndrome, it’s important to recognize that you’re not alone and that many people experience these feelings of self-doubt and insecurity. Here are some actions you can take to reduce those feelings.
Imposter syndrome can often make you feel like you’re not good enough or don’t deserve your accomplishments, but those feelings are often based on self-doubt and fear rather than objective reality. One effective way to fight imposter syndrome is to separate your feelings from the facts and challenge your negative self-talk with evidence that contradicts those feelings.
Another helpful strategy is to reframe your mindset and shift your focus from perfection to growth. Recognize that mistakes and setbacks are opportunities to learn and improve. Embrace a growth mindset that values effort, learning and progress over a fixed mindset that prioritizes perfection.
Acknowledging and validating your emotions is an important part of combatting imposter syndrome. It’s important to recognize and accept that you’re experiencing negative emotions, rather than trying to supress or ignore them. However, it’s also important to separate your feelings from the facts and recognize when those feelings aren’t based on reality.
One helpful strategy for validating your emotions is to practice self-compassion. This means treating yourself with kindness and understanding, rather than self-criticism and judgement.
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Sharing your feelings of imposter syndrome with someone you can trust can be a powerful way to recognize and overcome those feelings. It’s important to remember that imposter syndrome is a common experience and many people struggle with feelings of self-doubt and inadequacy. By sharing your feelings with someone you trust or someone that has experienced imposter syndrome, you can gain perspective, receive support and encouragement, and realize that you’re not alone in your struggles.?
If acknowledging your feelings isn’t helping, try fighting your feelings with evidence.
Go back over your most recent projects.
Review the work you’ve done to see if these feelings are based in fact.
If they are, you’ve identified something concrete you can work on and improve on.
If they aren’t, use these facts every time that voice in your brain pops up to tell you that you aren’t good enough.
Improving your hard and soft skills can help build your confidence and reduce feelings of imposter syndrome. Hard skills are the technical skills and knowledge needed to perform your job, while soft skills are the interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence needed to work well with others. One way to improve your skills is to seek out a mentor. This is someone who can provide valuable guidance, feedback and support as you work to develop your skills and navigate your career. Look for someone who has experience and expertise in your field and someone who shares and understands your values. A mentor can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, set goals and develop a plan to improve your skills. They can also provide advice and feedback on specific tasks and projects, and help you navigate challenges and opportunities in your career. Over and above this a mentor can be a valuable sounding board and source of support as you work to overcome imposter syndrome and achieve your goals.
6 Steps for Managers to Prevent Imposter Syndrome:
Overall, overcoming imposter syndrome takes time, effort and support. By using the strategies laid out above and seeking out support from others, you can build your confidence, improve your skills and achieve your goals. Remember that you are capable, valuable and deserving of success. With the right mindset and support you can overcome any obstacle.
Source: Julia Martins, 2022