The Impostor Syndrome!
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The Impostor Syndrome!

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The Impostor Syndrome! / 028: 28 Mar 2021

Let’s start with a few questions:

  • Have you panicked before exams, even though you had prepared well?
  • Do you have a nagging worry that others are better than you are?
  • Do you tend to downplay your success or achievement often?

Well, if the answers are generally affirmative, then – welcome to the club! These are all examples of the Impostor (also spelt as Imposter) Syndrome, the theme for this week’s article. This is a syndrome which affects even leading figures and personalities. Maya Angelou, legendary novelist, even after writing 11 novels and winning several prestigious awards, couldn’t escape the nagging doubt that she hadn’t really earned her accomplishments. Even the great Albert Einstein experienced something similar – he felt his work didn’t deserve the attention it had received. But why should persons, especially super successful or accomplished ones, suffer such emotions? Do read on.

The concept was introduced by eminent psychologist Dr. Pauline Rose Clance, in her book ‘The Impostor Phenomenon: overcoming the fears that haunt your success’ (1985). She described it as a pattern of thinking in which individuals start to doubt their skills, talents or accomplishments, and often feel like an impostor, a fraud, who’s taking credit that’s actually meant for someone else – and may be exposed at any time. Despite external acknowledgement of their competence, they tend to credit their success to luck or timing or other random factors – anything but themselves. Early research focused on its prevalence amongst high-achieving women, but later research has recognised that it can affect both men and women equally. Dr. Clance writes on her website that most people would not say they feel like an impostor – but when they read or hear such examples from others, they feel an empathy, and agree that they suffer from similar emotions themselves. For those interested, she has published an online evaluation tool, the Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale (https://www.paulineroseclance.com/pdf/IPTestandscoring.pdf), where anyone can do a self-evaluation for themselves (I scored in the middle range, meaning I experience some of the symptoms).

This usually happens to people who are passionate or perfectionist in their approach, and severely critical of themselves. When they acutely feel the weight of their responsibilities, they imagine that they are not living up to their own high standards.How do we address this? A few pointers:

  • Awareness is the key – knowing that eminent personalities and champions also experience such emotions makes us feel relieved. We are not alone in this
  • It also helps to talk about it with a trusted few, and they can give us positive assurance and feedback. It helps us to avoid over-thinking any issue
  • Collect these valuable assurances in the personal archive of your mind and retrieve them when you face a new feeling or situation. They will help us address and control fleeting emotions
  • Recognise it as illusory inferiority, and feel justly proud of our own accomplishments and successes
  • Relax and be less harsh on ourselves
  • Last but not the least, it is better to suffer from illusory inferiority than illusory superiority! As the old adage goes, wise people are full of doubts, while only fools are absolutely sure of themselves

To summarise, it is okay to have the self doubt of illusory inferiority, especially because it can help you stay grounded and also be more diligent and watchful over your work. I hope you enjoyed reading this. Do write in with your comments and feedback – even if only a couple of words – to enrich this conversation. Warm regards, Krishnakumar.

 

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References

https://www.paulineroseclance.com/pdf/IPTestandscoring.pdf

Dr. Pauline Rose Clance - IMPOSTOR PHENOMENON

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impostor_syndrome

What is imposter syndrome and how can you combat it? - Elizabeth Cox - YouTube

Dunning–Kruger effect - Wikipedia

Dr. Ajjanta Chakravarty

Founder -- Director at Center for Cross Cultural Communication

3 年

Very well thought KK. Thanks for writing it.

Kamlesh Bhinde

Commercial Manager

3 年

Hi KK, You are absolutely correct that "it is better to have these feelings than to not have them at all". "How we feel about ourselves" is kind of self evaluation and accordingly we can take corrective actions if required well in time to perform & meet the expectations.

Sushma Rajagopalan

Venture Capitalist - Partner Rittenhouse Ventures -B2B SaaS / Board Member/ Co-Founder 2ndCareers.com

3 年

Very well written KK. Learning to enjoy and celebrate success without quantifying the measure of success is key. ??

Srinivasan Jeyaram

Motor & Power Quality specialist- Recognised Coach-99620 56206

3 年

Hi, KK. I acknowledge this syndrome. There is also 'out living' the usefulness. After a period of time the novelty wears off and what was unique becomes routine. That is when resilient people reinvent their usefulness. One way to overcome impostor syndrome, perhaps.

CP Tiwari

Passionate in leading Green Hydrogen Development, Long Duration Energy Storage Solution, Pumped Hydro & Energy Transition

3 年

Nicely explained.?

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