Imposter syndrome is a feeling or experience where an individual feels undeserving of their position or accomplishments. It is not a medical syndrome but rather a tendency that can impact an individual's confidence and ability to succeed. Imposter syndrome can cause people to procrastinate, not apply for jobs they are qualified for, or avoid taking on new projects.
I’ve suffered from imposter syndrome, just like anyone. It's that feeling that at any moment, someone will knock on the door and say, “Hey, we know who you are. You’re not really qualified to do that.”
I like the way Adam Grant talks about imposter syndrome in his book, Think Again. He says that many people with imposter syndrome have high competence but low confidence. So one of the things we have to do is build our confidence.
(Note: The most dangerous person is someone with high confidence and low competence.)
Here are a few ways to minimize imposter syndrome:
Understand imposter syndrome. It’s a feeling we experience, not a medical syndrome. It’s not like there are two types of people; one has imposter syndrome, and the other does not. Imposter syndrome is situational and is a trap anyone can fall into.
Normalize it. Everyone gets it. It’s a normal feeling. If you asked 100 people you consider successful, I bet 99 would say they have felt this way at some point.
Don’t get too high or low. When I receive praise, I don’t get too attached to it; the same goes for criticism. People can get too caught up in either praise or criticism and attach themselves to it. Who you are and your worth should not be based on what others think or say.
Be mindful of your stimulant intake. I love green tea and an occasional latte, but when I overdo it, it affects my mind–I can feel it. Pay attention to what you’re putting in your body because it does affect your brain.
Know that you’re always in training. Doctors and lawyers call their professions a “practice.” I think that’s a good thing because it means we’re always learning and growing, and we’re not perfect. If you keep this frame of mind, you’ll accept the mistakes and failures and learn from them. That’s how you grow.
Imposter syndrome is a confidence problem. There are many ways we can build confidence, and it has to do with your competence. So continue to work with mentors, read, take courses, and attend seminars. By being curious and learning, you will build your confidence muscle.
Additionally, if you are a leader of people, there are some things you can do to deal with imposter syndrome inside your workplace. It starts with creating a psychologically safe work environment. This type of environment is compassionate versus fear-based. In psychologically safe work environments, leaders give their people the space to make mistakes, ask questions, and the resources to learn and grow. When you develop a supportive environment like that, people will naturally be more confident–and that’s the recipe for dealing with imposter syndrome.
This post is based on a podcast episode by Greg Bell.
Listen below for the full episode: