Real-time data shows nearly 70% of the entire U.S. population suffers from some type of imposter syndrome at work. But why is that?
In America, it’s often believed that work is the end all be all. If you’re not active from 9 to 5, you’re doing it wrong. If you’re not getting promoted, you’re lagging far behind. Or if you don’t meet the expectations, you’re getting fired. For as long as we can remember, those thoughts have always been engrained in our minds.
Imposter syndrome at its core
Imposter syndrome is defined as a psychological phenomenon that causes individuals to have intense feelings of self-doubt. In the workplace, it causes leaders to constantly fear accomplishment and confidence, leaving these highly capable people second-guessing themselves.
“I see so many rising leaders who believe they don’t deserve the roles they have earned. Imposter syndrome shows up when you are stretching into something new, and it tricks you into thinking you are unqualified even when the evidence says otherwise,” Prudence Hatchett shares, a Leadership Resilience Strategist and Mental Wellness Specialist.
The idea of imposter syndrome is nothing new, and in fact, it’s more common than not. It’s important to realize that no one is alone in this case, and even the most well-regarded names have feelings of imposter. People like Michelle Obama are prime examples of this.
“I still have a little impostor syndrome… It doesn’t go away, that feeling that you shouldn’t take me that seriously. What do I know? I share that with you because we all have doubts in our abilities, about our power and what that power is,” Obama explains.
If even Obama lacks the inner confidence to proceed at work, then take this as a lesson: imposter syndrome is real, and it’s okay to experience it. So what can be done about this?
A way forward
Despite the challenges, one solution out of imposter syndrome is to reset the mind to a more positive outlook. With that comes the willingness to identify where the achievements lie, accepting them rather than dismissing them.
For leaders, it’s also about remembering where you came from. That means reflecting on how you got here in the first place, and asking yourself, “Why did I deserve this?”
Hatchett continues, “The way through it is not to chase perfection, but to take small wins seriously, reframe your inner dialogue, and lean on mentors or coaches who can reflect your strengths back to you. I remind people that confidence is built step by step, not overnight. When you stop waiting to feel ready and start acting with the tools you already have, that is when growth really happens.”
Relieving the feelings of doubt also comes with practice. Positive self-talk is a learned skill, and it involves replacing the harmful thought with a more realistic truth. To act effectively, leaders should create a repetitive plan that involves daily affirmation and gratitude. By doing so, this keeps the momentum going, helping one to keep motivated while breaking through the constant fear.
The hope is here
When it comes to work, no one really knows why it causes the immense anxiety that it does. Yes, it’s high stakes a lot of the time, but it shouldn’t be something that consumes everyone’s lives in a negative way.
Without a doubt, most leaders are prone to imposter syndrome at some point in their careers. It’s a common feeling, and you shouldn’t be hard on yourself if it’s something you’re struggling with on a regular basis.
On a brighter note, however, the hope is here as long as a shift in approach stands at the center of it all. By embracing personal achievement and modeling resilience, all leaders today can fight off the dreadful consequences of imposter syndrome.
So if you’re currently dwelling on your inner critic, you might want to think again. Because if anything is true, it’s that you’re letting yourself lose even though your real worth shows otherwise. This is your call to own the person that you are.
