Overcoming Imposter Syndrome – TPW480

Imposter Syndrome is (unfortunately) common, but we can learn how to manage and overcome these feelings

We’ve talked a few times in the past about imposter syndrome, those feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt, and the fear of being exposed as a fraud despite evidence of success. It’s something I’ve been thinking about lately, so I dug into some recent research and learned a few new things. I thought it was worth looking at again because of its impact on our mental health, career progression, overall well-being, and, of course, productivity.

What is imposter syndrome?

I did some research trying to understand the difference between self-doubt and imposter syndrome. While they are related, I think they are not precisely the same. All of us experience self-doubt at times: questioning our choices, our skill, and our competence.  

Imposter syndrome has a self-doubt component, but it goes beyond self-doubt and is a fear or belief that we don’t deserve our success, our awards or accolades. That when we succeed, it’s not because we earned it, but because we were in the right place at the right time, or because other people helped us, or because we were just lucky. One article says, “Those with Imposter Syndrome have one or more of the following thoughts: I’m a fake; My accomplishments are due to luck, not talent; and My accomplishments aren’t really that great.” One journalist, in a New Yorker article, described her experience this way: “more specific than mere self-doubt; it was a fear of being found out, revealed for what I really was.” It’s the feeling that we must wear a mask and hope no one ever sees behind it. 

Do those thoughts feel as familiar to you as they do to me? 

It’s important to recognize that it is an internal judgment of yourself. Dr. Ginnifer Cie Gee, Associate Vice Provost of the University of Texas, San Antonio, has said it this way: “‘Imposter Syndrome’ is an internal belief (perception) that you are a fraud; it isn’t specifically someone telling you that you are a fraud.”

Dr. Michele Gaspar, a veterinarian and psychotherapist, has identified several personality traits that are linked to imposter syndrome: “Perfectionism, overworking, undermining achievements, fear of failure and discounting praise. To stave off feelings of Imposter Syndrome, it’s common to put off projects that can’t be completed flawlessly, or to work hours beyond the end of scheduled shifts. Other ways of coping include not learning new skills (for fear of not performing at an expert level) or deflecting praise with self-deprecation.” 

The good news is that because it is, so to speak, in our minds, that means we can manage it by managing our minds.