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Imposter syndrome is a secret battle that many professionals face in the bustle of modern workplaces, where achievements are praised, and high standards are the norm.
It often reveals itself in work settings. In the workplace, imposter syndrome can take many different forms, leading team members to question their abilities, accomplishments, and competence. This persistent self-doubt can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and burnout, ultimately hindering career growth and job satisfaction.
Imposter syndrome is more common than one might think, affecting individuals across industries and career levels. Whether you’re a fresh graduate stepping into your first role or an experienced executive leading a large team, the fear of being “found out” as a fraud can be paralyzing.
But the good news is that Imposter syndrome is a mindset, not a permanent state. It can be overcome with awareness and practical solutions.
Imposter syndrome in the workplace can manifest in various ways, causing team members to doubt their skills, competence, and achievements. This persistent self-doubt can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and burnout, ultimately hindering career growth and job satisfaction.
When you want to succeed, it’s common to feel like you aren’t doing a good enough job. Over time, those feelings can turn into imposter syndrome. But with time and hard work, you can overcome imposter syndrome.
For example, let’s meet Alexis Baier, a multifaceted individual, balancing her life as an actress and real estate agent in Southern California. She shared her inspiring story of how she navigated and continues to overcome imposter syndrome.
In addition to her real estate endeavours, Alexis is deeply committed to her acting career. She is optimistic about her future in the entertainment industry.
Despite her enthusiasm and progress, Alexis faces the common challenge of imposter syndrome. She often finds herself questioning her abilities and feeling uncertain about her place in both fields.
However, she approaches these doubts positively, believing in the phrase “fake it till you make it.” Alexis believes that everyone starts somewhere, and that self-doubt should not diminish one’s worth or potential.
She identifies positivity, patience, and openness as the key qualities that have been most impactful in her journey. Alexis emphasizes the importance of staying focused, maintaining faith in oneself, and remaining optimistic.
While she sometimes worries about the specifics of her path, she is working to trust her abilities and enjoy the process of learning and growth. Her philosophy is centered around self-acceptance and kindness, recognizing that life is a continuous lesson in which being oneself is paramount.
Steps to Overcome Imposter Syndrome
- Acknowledge and Normalize It
The first step to overcoming imposter syndrome is recognizing it. Understand that feeling this way doesn’t make you a fraud but makes you human.
According to studies, up to 70% of professionals would at some point suffer from imposter syndrome. Even famous people like Albert Einstein and Maya Angelou acknowledged feeling like imposters.
Normalize these feelings by talking about them. Sharing your experiences with trusted colleagues, mentors, or friends can be liberating. You may find that others share similar struggles, which can help diminish their power over you.
- Create a strategy
It’s normal to panic when you feel like a phony. To prove yourself, you may produce a long list of goals and deadlines to hit without taking the time to strategize how you will reach them.
You could become completely overwhelmed and unable to carry out your goals in an efficient manner. Before you even start, you set yourself up for failure.
A better way to manage your anxious feelings is to get organized. Break down your goals into smaller, more manageable chunks and make a strategy to work on each one separately. Being consistent will get you far, even when finishing a large number of things can feel daunting.
- Keep a positive mindset
Many of us tend to downplay our achievements. To be humble, we brush them off by claiming that our accomplishment was simply the result of “luck” or “good timing.”
While humility is admirable, too much of it can hurt rather than help you, especially if you are already fostering feelings of self-doubt.
- Try changing the way you think
Experiencing impostor syndrome is an opportunity to grow, not a sign of weakness or failure. Try changing the way you think about things when you’re having self-doubt. Where are the chances to develop and gain knowledge? Pay attention to those.
When everything else fails, focus on self-care and self-reflection techniques to help you build your confidence and sense of self-worth.
- Celebrate your wins
We often get so focused on the outcomes of our work that we forget to take a pause and honor ourselves. We fear that we will come off as “showoffs” or that it is a waste of time.
But celebrating yourself is a simple, and fun, way to combat imposter syndrome.
- Seek support to manage negative feelings
Share your thoughts with a trusted person or think about speaking with an expert. Feeling as though your problems or feelings aren’t important enough might sometimes make you feel like an imposter.
However, no matter how minor or large your sentiments may appear to others, asking for help is an important part of controlling them.
- Creating a Safe Space
For mentorship to be effective, leaders must create safe spaces for employees to share their thoughts, fears, and emotions. Creating these kinds of safe spaces is crucial for employees who have been recently promoted or new hires.
Many would worry that disclosing their Imposter Syndrome will damage their reputation among their peers and their professional image.
Effective mentorship can help people feel capable of handling their increased duties and stop the cycle of imposter syndrome. Offering guidance and support to less experienced peers can improve mental health in the workplace, by giving them a chance to vent their frustrations and share their stressors.
Combating imposter syndrome is not about eliminating self-doubt entirely but about learning to navigate it with grace and resilience. By embracing our vulnerabilities and seeking help from others, we can unlock our full potential and achieve success on our own terms.
In Alexis’s own words, “Why not you?” Yes, why not us? Everyone has the potential to succeed, and with the right mindset and support, we can turn our doubts into stepping stones for success.
Do some of your employees feel like imposters? Do you need assistance getting over imposter syndrome? Contact us to learn more about our customized training programs on +919004521614 or [email protected].
Authored by Gomathi Sridevi Radhakrishnan, Content Writer Intern