Debugging Imposter Syndrome

By Toyin Olanipekun

What is Imposter syndrome?

According to Wikipedia, Impostor syndrome, also known as impostor phenomenon or impostorism, is a psychological occurrence in which an individual doubts their skills, talents, or accomplishments and has a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a fraud. Despite external evidence of their competence, those experiencing this phenomenon do not believe they deserve their success or luck. They may incorrectly attribute it to the Matthew effect, or they may think that they are deceiving others because they feel as if they are not as intelligent as they outwardly portray themselves to be. Impostor syndrome can stem from and result in strained personal relationships and can hinder individuals from achieving their full potential in their fields of interest.

The term impostor phenomenon was coined in a 1978 article, "The High-Performance Female Impostor Phenomenon:

Dynamics and Therapeutic Interventions.” Pauline R. Crans and Suzanne A. Aymes. Clance and Imes defined the phenomenon of impersonation as "the internal experience of intellectual error" and initially focused their research on women in higher education and professional fields.

The researchers interviewed more than 100 of her women, about one-third of whom were involved in psychotherapy with impostor syndrome, and two-thirds of whom they knew from their lectures or treatment groups. All participants were officially recognized by their peers for professional excellence and demonstrated academic performance through educational qualifications and standardized test scores. Despite the consistent external validation these women received, internal recognition of their accomplishments was lacking. When asked about their success, some participants thought they were lucky, while others believed people overestimated their abilities. It was believed that the mental framework of the phenomenon evolved from factors such as:

Gender stereotypes, family issues, cultural norms, and belonging styles. They found that women in the study had symptoms of "general anxiety, lack of self-confidence, depression, and frustration related to their inability to meet self-imposed performance standards."?

Developers deal with imposter syndrome at every stage of their careers. However, this feeling of inadequacy is especially common among aspiring and junior developers who often question whether it's worth working alongside more experienced developers on a project or team. is. These new developers may not realize that their more experienced colleagues were suffering from impostor syndrome in the first place, and may even continue to feel it.

Everyone has a different experience with imposter syndrome. Programmers will feel it under different circumstances, such as when they are:

i. Learning a new language or framework

ii. Starting at a new job or team

iii. Transitioning to a new stack

iv. Being promoted or leading a team

v. Comparing with peers

vi. Staying relevant in the industry

Why do you feel imposter syndrome?

Evolution in software development never stops. It is a large field, and it is only expanding. In addition to more people becoming new developers, more software is being used, increasing the demand for developers. This promotes the regular development of new tools, frameworks, and languages. As the industry develops, there will be more to understand, and it will only become more complicated. As a developer, you could occasionally feel overwhelmed if you keep this in mind.

Additionally, the media shapes false perceptions about the technology sector. The media lavishes praise and attention on software in particular. It's understandable why so many individuals believe they will never be able to establish themselves as top-tier developer given how frequently new tech businesses are highlighted in the media and how their founders are depicted as intelligent and exceptionally creative.

Effects of developer imposter syndrome

Developer impostor syndrome negatively affects the sufferer, their productivity, and the development industry as a whole. The issue is that developer impostor syndrome can quickly get out of hand. As they attempt to meet their perceived goals, sufferers may get sick, sad, or burn out.

Developer impostor syndrome is another issue that the industry faces. This is due to the increased likelihood that those who pursue an interest in the field would quit it before it matures. Or, because of feelings of inadequacy, they might never take the steps necessary to become a developer at all.

Dealing with Imposter Syndrome

Embrace it

Learning to accept developer imposter syndrome is the first step in dealing with it. This entails being aware of the fact that development is a job that necessitates ongoing learning. Developers who experience "developer imposter syndrome" should keep in mind that it's impossible to learn every new language, tool, etc. as soon as they are published.

Don't run away when you feel like a fraud or an impostor because you lack knowledge. Instead, welcome the chance to gain new knowledge. A good developer is aware of his limitations yet is eager to pick up new skills when they are required.

Keep track of your achievements

Developer impostor syndrome is brought on by comparing oneself to other developers and failing to acknowledge your accomplishments and abilities. So, keeping a record of your accomplishments is a good strategy for overcoming developer impostor syndrome.

You may accomplish this by compiling a portfolio of your accomplishments, your work, and any instances in which you accepted change and progress. Then, if you must make a comparison, evaluate your development in light of your earlier self. You can use this to gauge how much you've developed and improved throughout your development career.

Being simply human, you are unable to possess all knowledge. Try to accept and learn from your mistakes instead of dwelling on minor inaccuracies and things you don't know. You are not a phony if you make a mistake; you are a person.

Promote teamwork

Finally, encouraging teamwork and a relaxed atmosphere can also help to mitigate the effects of developer impostor syndrome. It becomes evident to folks with developer imposter syndrome that others they compare themselves to don't know everything too, and that's alright when every developer is seeking advice and feedback.

Create a culture that values cooperation and teamwork. Additionally, the sense of camaraderie can aid in reducing developer imposter syndrome by helping people who suffer from it feel included, a part of the team, and less like an impostor.

Although having developer imposter syndrome can be crippling, knowing that you're not the only one who experiences it might be comforting. It's entirely typical and more common than you might think.

Because it's hard to always be an expert, developers must always learn new things. Therefore, you aren't a phony if you're willing to change and pick up new abilities, technology, and languages as you need them.