Why suffering from Imposter Syndrome isn’t Always a Bad Thing

Imposter syndrome has the power to disconnect you from your dreams, from you becoming the best version of yourself. Its formal definition from Oxford is:

“The persistent inability to believe that one's success is deserved or has been legitimately achieved as a result of one's own efforts or skills.”

When I hear people speak of Imposter Syndrome, it is often met with concern and negativity. I am aware that it can cripple you and prevent you from moving forward, leaving you in a paralyzed state; but I ask, “what if there was a way to transform this syndrome into a presidential force that will make you virtually impossible to penetrate?”

I know firsthand how Imposter Syndrome feels, as I have suffered from it myself and I know there is a way to transform it into a massive strength. This blog is dedicated to embracing and accepting the humanity and humility with Imposter Syndrome and then kicking its ass. 

For the sake of this article, the formal definition from Oxford of an Imposter is:

“A person who pretends to be someone else in order to deceive others, especially for fraudulent gain.”

First, ask yourself: What are the traits of an Imposter?

• They love praise, even if it’s taking credit for others work.
• They overpromote their successes, often making them look bigger and more impressive than they actually are.
• They self-promote and brag constantly.
• They are more concerned at looking their best instead of putting in the effort in developing the skills to be their best version of themselves.
• They tend to reign supreme with internal office politics.
• Their words often don’t match their actions.
• They often tell people what they want to hear, regardless if it has merit.
• They don’t accept and take responsibility for their mistakes and failures, often blaming others.
• They can be arrogant and over-confident.
• They love titles and often find ways to slip their title into conversation.
• They can be well connected, as they spend the majority of their time trying to impress higher up influential people. They network up, and rarely down.
• They may not be self-aware that they are a fraud.
• They only give when it benefits themselves.
• They take and rarely give.
• They are not authentic.

These are just a few of the common Imposter traits I have witness during my career. Once, you know what to look for, they stand out like ketchup on a white shirt.

Second, ask yourself: Do you actually have any of these traits? Or, does this sound more like you?

• Praise and recognition make you feel uncomfortable.
• You doubt whether you have earned your accomplishments and successes.
• You doubt whether you deserve the recognition you have been given.
• You rarely discuss your accomplishments in public.
• Your scared your colleagues will think you are a fraud.
• You rarely self-promote.
• You are sensible to what you commit too.
• You are scared of overpromising and under delivering.
• You take full responsibility of your mistakes and at times, the mistakes of others.
• You lack confidence and/or don’t enjoy showing confidence.
• You question whether you have earned your title and rank.
• You believe you don’t deserve your success or discount them.
• You believe you were lucky.
• You compare yourself to others and their success.
• You believe you are lagging behind your peers.
• You believe there is always something more you could have done.
• You have a fear of failure.

People who generally suffer from Imposter Syndrome rarely self-promote nor are comfortable with praise; and they often feel they have not earned their success.

Now, take a hard look at these two lists; which list resonates more with who you are? Neither list may resonate with you, as you may not suffer from either… but understand the second list, in case a friend, colleague or teammate suffers from Imposter Syndrome; your understanding can help boost their confidence. Also, be aware of the first list, in case, you need to work for or with someone who has the trait of an actual Imposter; they are takers, so be mindful of what you choose to give these people. Ensure your work is visible to your Organization to protect yourself, from them taking credit.

If you have several of the traits on the second list, you may suffer from some form of Imposter Syndrome. The good news with having traits from the second list, is YOU ARE NOT AN IMPOSTER. An Imposter is a true fraudulent person, your difficulty lies within your head; you are not an Imposter. Depending on how severe your form of Imposter Syndrome is, you may need professional assistance to help with coping mechanisms when the syndrome is triggered. Being aware is the first step in combating this syndrome.

It took me years of positive self-talk to retrain my brain to embrace the persistent doubt of “I’m not good enough” or “I will fail,” into viable motivation to keep me moving forward and persevere to get high quality results, regardless of the challenge. I am grateful for my persistence, as it developed a resilience in my character and an unwavering belief that trying even if you aren’t successful, is better than not trying at all.

Here is what I learned from Imposter Syndrome and how it can be a strength instead of deterrent.

• Whatever the doubt, it is temporary, keep moving forward, push through the doubt.
• Allow your doubt to keep you alert. So, you doubt you have the skills to make this challenge a success? Well, use this doubt to see the problem from all angles, use the research, as preparation for your solution.
• Keep questioning – A curious mind questions, as does a doubtful mind. By questioning, you dig deeper into a problem to solve it. This is often where you discover new and innovated solutions.
• Keep yourself honest – When you doubt yourself; you are trying to find the correct answer, not an easy solution or a band-aid fix… you want to provide high quality results and eliminate the problem. Band-aid fixes are lies in disguise, under your leadership, this will not happen.
• Keeps you humble – When you’re aware, you are only as good as your last success, it keeps you grounded, as you know, if you stop challenging yourself or allow your ego to get the best of you, you can be out the door. A strong reputation is built over many successes and many years. The people that allow their previous success, to go to their head and ride the wave for a little too long without catching a second one, normally crash or become stagnant. Humble people don’t get too comfortable with past successes.
• Keeps your ego in check - Being humble can help you be a more empathic and sensitive leader to the people you work with; because of this, people may want to work for you. Ego blinds you from your own abilities and it prevents you from improving from your mistakes. An ego can demotivate your team and have people route more against you than for you; creating unnecessary enemies.
• Keeps you challenged – Your doubt can be an indicator that you are challenging yourself. Challenges make us better and improve and grow our abilities.
• Keeps you uncomfortable – People plateau when they become complacent and comfortable. Imposter syndrome can help you be aware of when you are challenging yourself. When entering new terrain, you’re suppose to feel anxious, tense and uncomfortable. The secret is continuing to build your credibility, is to become comfortable in being uncomfortable.

I have turned my doubt into seeing a problem from all angles and to be analytical. Imposter Syndrome keeps me honest; it keeps me alert; it keeps me humble, and all this, makes me a better mentor, teacher and leader. We all have something to offer the world; we all have abilities that make the team we are apart of, better. Believe in yourself; in your ability; develop coping mechanism to assist when you are doubting yourself, like positive reinforcement, self-talk, or breathing exercises. Develop your coping mechanisms to help retrain your brain, so nothing will hold you back from succeeding.

The world will benefit from your humanity and humility; never allow the fear of failure to hinder you from becoming the best version of yourself.