Let's talk more about imposter syndrome

Despite being a published author and having over three decades of tech experience under his belt, our Cloud and Architecture practice lead, Brett Hargreaves, isn’t immune to an occasional brush with imposter syndrome. Here he describes his own experiences with imposterism, and explains how businesses can do more to address the all-too-common predicament...

30 years in tech, and counting?

I’ve worked in the tech industry for over 30 years as an infrastructure engineer, software developer and architect, and have specialised in Cloud since Azure was first launched way back in 2008, gaining a significant number of Microsoft and other vendor qualifications.?I also deliver tutorials for Microsoft and have written books about Azure.

Imposter syndrome is the fear that you don't have the required knowledge to perform your role

This is different to 'winging it', where you KNOW you don't have any experience. So in my mind, it applies when you do have the experience but you're worried others in the field know more.

Imposter syndrome is not widely spoken about, and it should be. I believe it is just another facet of our modern society. The world, technology, and our beliefs are ever-changing and continue to change at an increasing rate - this leads to a feeling of always needing to keep up.?

The sound-byte social media culture is also a big contributor.? We are constantly bombarded by posts of people showing how great their lives are or how amazing they are. It’s mostly exaggerated, but it can make people feel inadequate.

My advice to anyone experiencing imposter syndrome?

A big part of imposter syndrome is the worry you'll say something wrong or ask a stupid question.? You must remember that there are no stupid questions - if you don't know something, or want clarification, ask.??

Often you'll find others wanting to ask the same thing but are also afraid.?

But it's far more dangerous to be wrong about something and refuse to admit you might be incorrect. We all get things wrong sometimes, and it's only by discussing what we believe to be true can we confirm what we think we know.

Finally, be kind about others' opinions - chances are they are also suffering with imposter syndrome.

A cultural shift in business could blow imposter syndrome out of the water

Many forward-thinking companies, and certainly those who prioritise culture and wellbeing, are already looking at issues such as imposterism and putting in place ways to address them.?

By fostering a culture where people feel more comfortable speaking out, a business can get new, better, and more diverse ideas out of employees. Imposter syndrome is just one part of this wider topic about getting the most out of people by empowering them to make meaningful contributions.

I think more awareness is needed - but in a positive context, and should definitely be considered when devising training courses.??

This is important because imposter syndrome can cause some people to be worried about speaking up in meetings - certainly meetings with larger groups.?A technique I find useful is to end meetings explaining that anybody who wants to comment or add to the discussion is free to do so directly over a separate call or email.??

Does imposter syndrome make us more human and relatable??

Ironically, I do think a level of impostorism can drive us to better ourselves.? If, for example, you are 100% sure of yourself, you wouldn't feel the need to continue learning and developing.? I would always trust somebody that was prepared to double check their understanding of something over somebody who refused to accept they might be wrong.

Even Einstein was not exempt, writing that, “the exaggerated esteem in which my lifework is held makes me very ill at ease. I feel compelled to think of myself as an involuntary swindler.”

Please feel free to reach out to [email protected] with any comments or questions.