You may have already heard about the concept of Imposter Syndrome, but perhaps you don’t quite understand what it means. Imposter Syndrome is the feeling that despite being in a particular position – for example, in a new job – that you are qualified to be in, you feel that you are somehow an imposter, not competent and not meant to be there.
You may know someone who always attributes their successes to luck or to having the right connections. Maybe the same person, upon receiving a promotion, wonders if they are able to live up to the responsibilities of the job. This person is suffering from Imposter Syndrome – and what if that person is you?
A phenomenon more common among women
According to a study published by the Journal of Behavioral Science, around 70 percent of people experience feelings associated with Imposter Syndrome at some point in their lives.
Louise Cossette, professor of psychology at the Universite du Quebec (UQAM) points out that while both men and women suffer from Imposter Syndrome, women experience the syndrome more often.
Some women even refuse promotions or slow down their progression within an organization because they want to avoid having their competency put in doubt.
But although women tend to be more afflicted with Imposter Syndrome than men, men also suffer from it. The first step to dealing with the problem is identifying it!
4 ways to overcome Imposter Syndrome
- Be aware that the perpetual judgement you believe you are subject to from others, including your supervisor and your colleagues, is often not real. The reality is that the primary actor watching you and evaluating you is yourself.
People experiencing Imposter Syndrome are often overly self-critical and project their harsh approach onto others. Keep in mind that other people are often wrapped up in their own lives, just like us!
- Pay closer attention to the words and actions of others as they pertain to you. Other people are often far kinder in their judgements than we are to ourselves! The proof is when your supervisor offers you a promotion, or when a colleague asks for your help on a difficult task. It’s time to start basing your feelings on the facts in front of you, rather than what’s in your imagination.
- Learn to recognize your own achievements. If you find it too difficult to acknowledge your own successes, it may be easier to focus on the tasks and projects you have completed. These achievements are concrete, while notions of success can be easily shoehorned into the subjective perceptions of others. In this sense, it’s easier to say to yourself “I finished this project.”
- Learn to accept criticism for what it is. Every critical remark is not an indictment of your competency or your position. Criticism and review serves to allow you to identify the areas where you can do better – nothing more.
Don’t forget that Imposter Syndrome is not an illness and is not abnormal; it’s a way of thinking that you can change all by yourself. But don’t be shy to talk to your family, friends or colleagues if you feel you need some help.
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Sources :
https://so06.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/IJBS/article/view/521
https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1157299/syndrome-imposteur-femmes-travail-stereotype-egalite-doute-confiance-soi
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