No, You Are Not a Fraud: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

How many times have you found yourself listening to that mean little voice in your head:

“I have no idea what I am doing. I just hope no one figures that out.”

“I can’t believe I made that mistake. Now everyone will know what a fraud I am.”

“I’m just not as good as these others in the room. I shouldn’t be here.”

These feelings are thankfully not due to a negative personality trait or a gene you inherited. But rather a conflicting set of thoughts that relate to how you perceive your own success.

In fact, Imposter Syndrome can be defined as:

And you are most definitely not alone. A 2020 KPMG study revealed that 75% of female executives across industries have experienced imposter syndrome in their careers. Also, after almost 20 years of developing thousands of women leaders, this topic always bubbles to the top as a struggle for our leaders. The bottom line is this: it is a common experience for high achievers.

Growing attention to and the study of this phenomenon reveals the influence of external forces, making it clear this is not solely a personal challenge or individual dysfunction. So you can stop blaming yourself now. It isn’t in your head – there are a few external factors at play.

Untangling the Roots of Imposter Syndrome

1.   Societal Stereotypes:  Women are stereotyped as not being natural leaders. This constant message makes them feel insecure and doubt their qualifications, even when they're highly successful.

2.   Lack of Role Models: There are fewer women in leadership positions. This means there are fewer people for women to identify with and see as a blueprint for success.

3.    Institutional Bias: Women are underrepresented in certain professions and leadership positions. This lack of representation can make them feel like they don't deserve to be there and question their ability to be successful.

4.    Microaggressions: Subtle everyday negative interactions and messages in traditionally white, male-dominated fields can make women feel like their contributions aren't valued. This leads to self-doubt and imposter feelings.

Even American poet, Maya Angelou, famously reflected on her own self-doubt:

“I have written eleven books, but each time I think, ‘Uh oh, they’re going to find out now. I’ve run a game on everybody, and they’re going to find me out.’”

So how does this phenomenon affect high performers, particularly women?

As explored above, feeling like a fraud cannot simply be attributed to personal shortcomings.However, if you leave your imposter feelings unchecked, it can hold you back from pursuing leadership opportunities or reaching your full potential.

Here are some of the ways imposter syndrome can show up as career derailers:

1.    Reduced confidence and risk-taking: Women who experience imposter syndrome might hesitate to take challenging projects or leadership roles, fearing they won't be successful and will be exposed as a "fraud." This can limit their professional growth and visibility.

2.    Perfectionism: The fear of being exposed as a fraud can lead women to set impossibly high standards of themselves, leading to procrastination, burnout and paralysis.

3.    Credit Deflection: Imposter syndrome can make it difficult for women to confidently promote their accomplishments and advocate for themselves. This can limit their advancement opportunities, promotions, and recognition.

4.    Increase anxiety and stress: The constant feeling of needing to prove themselves can negatively impact mental and physical well-being, hindering overall performance.

5.    Social Isolation: Feeling like an imposter can lead to social isolation at work. Women might avoid seeking help or mentorship which can limit their support system and access to senior level leaders.

But don't let self-doubt hold you back! The good news is, imposter syndrome can be tackled. By developing strategies to silence the inner critic, embrace your achievements, and lead with confidence, you can break through and achieve significant growth.

Here are a few tactics we recommend:

1.    Recognize the voice: The first step is becoming aware of your inner critic's chatter. Notice the self-deprecating thoughts and fear of failure.

2.    Reframe the narrative: Don't accept your inner critic's pronouncements as truth, challenge it! Turn negative thoughts into positive affirmations. For example, instead of "I got lucky," tell yourself, "I worked hard for this."

3.    Focus on facts: Your inner critic thrives on distortions. Combat them by gathering evidence of your abilities. List your achievements, positive feedback you've received, and the skills you've developed.

4.    Celebrate wins: Don't downplay your successes! Take time to acknowledge both major milestones and everyday accomplishments. Celebrating reinforces your confidence and reminds you of your worth.

5.    Embrace growth mindset: View challenges as opportunities to learn and improve. Everyone makes mistakes, and that's okay! See them as stepping stones on your path to mastery. Focus on progress, not perfection.

6.    Connect with others: Surround yourself with supportive peers who can offer guidance, support, and encouragement. Seeking out constructive feedback can provide you a more accurate self-assessment.

While imposter syndrome is especially common among high-achieving women, understanding it's a widespread experience can be the first step to dismantling its hold. Remember, the journey to overcoming this internal voice isn't just about silencing it, but also about embracing and owning the well-deserved success you've built!