Are feelings of self-doubt, inadequacy, and unworthiness keeping you from enjoying your achievements — or from achieving all you are capable of? Learning how to deal with impostor syndrome could be the secret to unlocking your greatest potential.
In this article, you’ll learn why so many of us, especially in leadership positions, experience impostor syndrome. You’ll learn how to recognize when you’re in its grips, and most importantly, what to do about it.
Ready to rebuild your confidence and own your success?
Let’s get started.
What is impostor syndrome?
Although it’s not a medical condition, impostor syndrome is an often debilitating sense of insecurity about your capability and competence.
Impostor syndrome
It’s a feeling that any success is a stroke of luck rather than something achieved through hard work or ability. At the same time, any setback is perceived as a personal failing that reinforces feelings of inadequacy.
Even when you are aware of your accomplishments and hard work, impostor syndrome can make you feel incapable of leading, giving direction, or providing insight.
Have you ever experienced any of these situations in your life?
- Avoided a challenge because you were afraid you wouldn’t succeed.
- Felt afraid to speak up and ask for what you really wanted out of fear of rejection.
- Lacked confidence in your abilities and avoided career risks, like applying for a dream job, starting your own business, or asking for a raise.
- Received an award or recognition but felt undeserving.
- Apologized for being yourself.
If you recognize yourself in any of those scenarios, you’ve probably experienced impostor syndrome — like millions of other people, even some of the most successful.
Back in 1978, two psychologists, Dr. Pauline Clance and Dr. Suzanne Irmes noticed many of the most successful women of their time, icons like Diana Ross or Donna Summer, felt inadequate. These women would describe themselves as being “phony” or “a fraud”.
After studying over 150 highly successful women, Clance and Irmes found that:
Despite outstanding academic and professional accomplishments, women who experience the impostor phenomenon persist in believing that they are really not bright and have fooled anyone who thinks otherwise.
The Imposter Phenomenon in High Achieving Women: Dynamics and Therapeutic Intervention, Pauline Rose Clance & Suzanne Imes
A study published in The Journal of General Internal Medicine estimates that more than 80 percent of adults experience impostor syndrome, among them high achievers and successful people.
Even attorney, author, and former first lady, Michelle Obama talks about her experience of feeling like an impostor:
You feel like, especially if you’ve achieved success, you’re in rooms that you’re not supposed to be in… you think that maybe somebody is going to discover that I shouldn’t be here.
Michelle Obama
Maya Angelou confessed that even after writing many successful books and winning prestigious awards, she continues to think:
U-Oh, they’re going to find out now. I’ve run my game on everyone, and they’re going to find me out.
Maya Angelou
Meryl Streep has similar thoughts:
If you’ve succeeded, you’ve doubted yourself somewhere, somehow.
Meryl Streep
Impostor syndrome can show up in many ways. It can look like feeling stuck in the wrong job, and still holding back from pursuing the career of your dreams. It can happen when you win a prestigious award but still feel like you didn’t deserve it. It can mean avoiding social situations and relationships, out of fear that no one really likes you.
The thing is, “Impostor syndrome doesn’t just make you feel shitty about yourself, it also keeps you broke.” That quote comes from Rachel Rodgers’ book, We Should All Be Millionaires. She points out that a lack of confidence in yourself is costing you millions.
In her book, Rodgers references a study that revealed 55 percent of self-employed women discount their prices before a client even asks for a lower rate. Even a seemingly small discount can add up to millions when compounded over a lifetime.
What impostor syndrome is costing you?
When you believe you are an impostor, you accept less than you deserve. So how much is that costing you?
Rising into your self-worth, and letting go of impostor syndrome means breaking free. It means removing blocks that keep you from succeeding. Once you embody your own worth, you operate at a higher frequency. You, in your knowing, will only accept that which you deserve.
When you believe in yourself, you start to say things like:
- “I deserve recognition for my hard work and expertise.”
- “I will start my own business because I know I can do this.”
- “I won’t settle for this relationship because I deserve support, love, and respect.”
When you believe that you can, you rise to the challenges and take the risks required to build the life you want.
How do you know you have impostor syndrome?
People who experience symptoms of impostor syndrome tend to:
- Downplay achievements
- Work excessively until the point of burnout
- Focus on failures, rather than accomplishments
- Avoid feedback
- Turn down new opportunities
- Have difficulty overcoming perfectionism
Do any of those things sound familiar? If you don’t take the time to self-assess, you may be sabotaging yourself without realizing it. You may have impostor syndrome.
In her research, Dr. Valerie Young identified five types of impostor syndrome that might help you recognize it in your life.
1. The Perfectionist
The Perfectionist refuses to accept anything short of perfect. They focus on “how” they achieved something, as well as the outcome. Anything less than perfect means failure, and this fear often holds them back from starting or finishing projects.
2. The Expert
The Expert focuses on “what” and “how much” they know. They are like perfectionists when it comes to their expertise. They expect themselves to know everything and feel like a failure when they don’t.
3. The Natural Genius
The Natural Genius focuses on “how” and “when” they achieve something. They expect themselves to master a skill quickly, on the first try, or by a certain point in their lives. Otherwise, they feel like a failure.
4. The Soloist
The Soloist focuses on “who” accomplishes something. They feel that having help or support invalidates their success. If they don’t do it all by themselves, then they don’t feel worthy of their achievements.
5. The Superwoman / Superman / Super student
These superheros measure success based on “how many” things they can excel at. They expect to handle multiple roles, and pull it all off with ease. If they aren’t successfully juggling career, family, volunteer, and personal commitments, they feel like a failure.
What causes impostor syndrome?
The exact causes of impostor syndrome are unknown, and just about anyone is susceptible, especially those in high-achieving fields and high-level positions.
Your race and gender can also make you more likely to experience the anxiety and discomfort of feeling less capable and qualified at work. These feelings are often labeled as a syndrome, but they are also symptoms of systemic bias and a toxic workplace.
Psychologists recognize certain triggers that tend to lead to impostor syndrome, such as:
- Personality traits, such as perfectionism
- Identifying as a minority or discriminated group
- Low self-esteem
- Families that value high achievement above all else
- Lack of role models or peer support
If you don’t know how to get over impostor syndrome, you probably focus more on what you do wrong, rather than what you do well. You stay inside your comfort zone. You play it safe and avoid challenges.
Sure, you’ll avoid potential mistakes or so-called failures. But, you’ll also never open your life to new opportunities—like starting that business, meeting your dream partner, speaking at that big event, or writing your book.
Step outside the walls of self-doubt!
If you stepped outside the walls of self-doubt, what would your life look like? Think of how much your life will improve when you finally recognize all that you have to offer, and insist that others recognize it, too.
You’ll feel confident to pursue your dreams, to ask for the money, respect, attention, and love that you deserve, without a shadow of a doubt.
How to deal with impostor syndrome
The way to beat impostor syndrome is by taking action to grow. Seek out the support, knowledge, and training that will propel you forward. In doing so, you’ll begin to rebuild your confidence.
The key to harnessing self-doubt starts at the very core of our individual beliefs and about ourselves, with something psychologists call “self-efficacy”.
We Should All Be Millionaires, by Rachel Rodgers
Don’t make the mistake of focusing on removing all self-doubt before you take action. It’s the process of taking action that counteracts doubt and builds self-efficacy. Each small step helps you begin to trust yourself, believe in your ability to succeed, and recognize your power.
But, how do you know which actions to take when you’re overcomed with doubt and uncertainty?
Start by looking your self-doubt in the eye with compassion. Honestly listen to what your doubts are telling you about the next steps you need to take.
Ask your self-doubt what you need. It could be saying:
- I need more training.
- I need a team that values my contributions.
- I need a healthier work environment.
- I need a mentor.
- I need better communication skills to lead effectively.
- I need to explore a new career.
Sometimes when we get honest about why we doubt ourselves, we can find a way through.
Get on a healthy path to action!
Avoid sabotaging or handicapping yourself by succumbing to the doubt. Reframe what the doubt is saying and use those feelings as a motivator to take action.
Here are a few more concrete actions you can take to move forward when impostor syndrome has you stuck. These are simple things you can start today to gain a sense of purpose and control.
Not the false confidence of “fake it until you make it” but the true confidence of knowing you can achieve what you set out to do.
1. Meet with a coach
Speaking to a coach can help reframe limited thinking, so you can gain perspective and learn how to turn your “impostor” into your motivator.
Your own limited thinking is often the anchor holding you back from the extraordinary life you can live.
A coach will help you set meaningful goals and identify the most effective actions to get where you want to go in life.
2. Recognize your strengths
We all have strengths to bring to the table. When you recognize and nurture those strengths, you feel empowered to perform and reach your highest potential. Conversely, when you focus only on overcoming weaknesses, you will feel less effective and capable.
Learn how to identify your strengths, and find more ways to use them. Think about those special skills that you excel at. If you have a hard time recognizing your strengths, ask your family or friends.
3. Speak to a therapist
A skilled therapist can help you uncover the deep roots of your individual experience with impostor syndrome. At the same time, they can help you work through any depression or anxiety that might be affecting how you feel about yourself.
Therapy means different things for everyone
You can go to traditional one-on-one sessions. You can join group meetings. Or, maybe you can meet with a spiritual advisor at your place of worship.
4. Practice a sport
If you really want to succeed at managing impostor syndrome, try learning a new sport. Success in sports and business go hand in hand, nurturing values like teamwork, overcoming setbacks, confidence, hard work, and discipline. In fact, 94 percent of women working at C-level positions played sports, says research by Ernst & Young.
5. Celebrate your wins
When learning how to get over impostor syndrome, I use something I call “my best self” exercise. You can do the same: Keep a personal record book of all your “wins”, big and small. When the impostor syndrome hits, pull it out and read all about your success.
Counteracting impostor syndrome at work
If you’re in a position of leadership, you can help create an inclusive environment in which your team is less susceptible to the effects of impostor syndrome.
Overcoming impostor syndrome at work means creating an environment where everyone is valued and believes they can succeed.
Recognize accomplishments
According to Gallup’s research, great performance is a result of leaders who empower employees. Managers who focus on developing talent get extraordinary results.
Track your team’s accomplishments big and small
This keeps morale high and makes it easier for employees to internalize success. This strategy counteracts the effects of impostor syndrome so that people feel better about themselves and the work that they produce.
Use feedback for development, not criticism
Criticism can introduce self-doubt, and it’s necessary for leaders to approach feedback in a more positive frame. Instead of letting criticisms run your life, you can use feedback to your advantage to promote learning and development.
When providing feedback for your team, focus on areas for growth and development, not shortcomings and mistakes. Just be sure to provide resources and support to empower that growth.
Build a culture of inclusion
Everybody in the workspace needs to feel comfortable and equal. Team building starts with communication, making sure every team member is heard.
Conversational Intelligence® can help leaders create an inclusive, collaborative environment at work. When you bring these skills to your team, you’ll have more trust-building conversations and less confidence-shattering interactions. You’ll start co-creating solutions and empowering everyone to succeed.
Be a mentor
Almost everyone experiences impostor syndrome at some point in their lives. Knowing this, any good leader should not only embrace their inner impostor, but also make sure everyone on the team has opportunities to grow.
Meet with members of your team
Talk about what they want to achieve, and what they feel holds them back from getting there. Look for ways to motivate each person to step into their potential.
Stop letting impostor syndrome hold you back
In his novel, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Stephen Chbosky writes, “We accept the love we think we deserve.” That rings true in relationships, and applies to many aspects of life.
When you know, truly in your heart, that you deserve a job you love, a beautiful home, a life that makes you happy, you won’t accept anything less.
You’ll say “no” to the things that just don’t feel right. You’ll say “yes” to the right opportunities, regardless of the challenges, because you feel confident you will rise to the occasion.
For support in overcoming your self-doubt and finding out what’s really holding you back from fully embodying your power, check out our online course: Take Control.
