Conquering Imposter Syndrome
Have you ever felt like an imposter or a phony on your job and that the lights would flick on and reveal that you were a fraud all along? Have you doubted yourself and your skills and felt unworthy to occupy your position even though you went through a rigorous interview process, are degreed, credentialed, and have exceptional skills? If you have felt any of these emotions, you may be battling with imposter syndrome. So let's chat!
Imposter phenomenon, (also referred to as imposter syndrome), is a psychological term used to describe the persuasive internal feelings of self-doubt, insecurity, and incompetence despite evidence that you are skilled and successful. This term was coined in the 1970s by clinical psychologist Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes to describe these emotions amongst high achieving women but has since been expanded to encompass men as well. As a professional, it is important to get a handle of imposter syndrome because it can impact your job satisfaction, lead to lesser pay, and lower the likelihood of a promotionª. In an effort to conquer imposter syndrome, let's discuss a few strategies.
Be a Lifetime Learner When you have a negative experience at work, it is important to reframe the perceived failure as a learning opportunity. We have to be willing to ask ourselves some important critical questions in order to move forward such as: What lessons can I learn from this situation? How might I better prepare in the future to be able to navigate this situation better? Through taking the time to reflect, you may begin to identify areas where you can shift your thinking.
Deal with the Roots The truth is dealing with imposter syndrome comes down to dealing with faulty thinking patterns and lies we may have bought into about ourselves. You have to take every negative thought captive and start presenting yourself with the absolute truths about yourself, your skills, and the gifts you bring into your job.
Consider your Social Media Interactions Recent studies have shown that more people are experiencing imposter syndrome as a direct result of increased social media useº. People may find themselves falling into the comparison trap by examining their lives against the picture-perfect lifestyles, awards, and successes presented by those they follow. Limiting time spent on social media can diminish negative emotions and provide a clearer mental frame to view yourself from.
Remember, imposter syndrome can cause us to operate from a distorted view of ourselves. So take the time to reframe, refocus, and continue to thrive in our careers!
You can also catch this week's episode Monday Morning Reset where I cover this topic on my Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYS53Sin6YQ Also subscribe and share with a friend!
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Reference
ª Neureiter, M., & Traut-Mattausch, E. (2016). Inspecting the dangers of feeling like a fake: An empirical investigation of the impostor phenomenon in the world of work. Frontiers in psychology, 7.
º Guillaume, R. O., Martinez, E., & Elue, C. (2019). Social media use, legitimacy, and imposter phenomenon: A collaborative autoethnography among early career faculty. Journal of Ethnographic & Qualitative Research, 14(2).