Understanding Imposter Syndrome

Imposter syndrome is a psychological phenomenon that affects many individuals, particularly high-achieving professionals. As an executive coach and a leader in technology, I’ve observed that this syndrome doesn’t discriminate by job level or success rate; however, it does tend to have a pronounced impact on women in the workforce. So what is imposter syndrome, how does if affects you, why it is particularly prevalent among women, and what strategies do people identify to help?

What is Imposter Syndrome?

Imposter syndrome is characterized by feelings of inadequacy that persist despite evident success. Individuals with imposter syndrome feel that they are not as competent as others perceive them to be, and that their accomplishments are the result of luck or external factors, rather than their own skills and efforts. This internal experience can cause significant anxiety and stress, as you fear that you will eventually be exposed as a “fraud”.

The term was first introduced by psychologists Suzanne Imes and Pauline Rose Clance in the 1970s. Their research initially focused on high-achieving women, which is perhaps why the syndrome is often discussed in the context of what women experience in competitive environments.

How Does Imposter Syndrome Affect You?

The effects of imposter syndrome are profound and can influence various aspects of your professional and personal life. Common impacts include:

• Chronic self-doubt – constantly questioning your abilities can lead to significant psychological stress. You may avoid seeking promotions or taking on new challenges due to fear of failure or exposure
• Overworking – to compensate for your perceived inadequacies, you may work longer hours than necessary, striving for perfection in every task to avoid any possible criticism
• Stress and burnout – the combination of chronic self-doubt and overworking inevitably leads to burnout, which is detrimental to both mental and physical health and can have long-term health implications
• Limited career growth – fearing that your input isn’t valuable, imposter syndrome can cause you to turn down opportunities for advancement, avoid speaking up in meetings, and contributing innovative ideas
• Impaired work relationships – the constant fear of being exposed as a fraud can make it difficult for you to form healthy professional relationships; you may withdraw from colleagues or avoid collaborative projects

Why Many Women Experience Imposter Syndrome

Even before I became an executive coach, I was well aware of imposter syndrome from working with women in technology. The technology industry is clearly dominated by men and this goes some way to explain some of the reasons why women are particularly susceptible to imposter syndrome:

• Gender bias in the workplace – women often face subtle, and sometimes not-so-subtle, discrimination in professional settings. This can manifest in being overlooked for promotions, receiving less credit for collaborative work, or enduring higher scrutiny than their male counterparts. Such experiences can reinforce doubts about their abilities and achievements
• Lack of representation – seeing few women in leadership roles can intensify feelings of isolation and self-doubt among women in professional fields. This lack of representation signals to other emerging professionals that success at higher levels is an anomaly or an exception rather than a reachable goal
• Socialization – from a young age, girls may receive different feedback compared to boys, with praise often linked to hard work rather than innate ability. This can internalize the idea that their accomplishments are due to diligence rather than skill, which plays into the narrative of imposter syndrome
• Stereotyping and cultural norms – societal expectations often dictate that women must achieve high standards while also adhering to traditional roles. This dual pressure can exacerbate feelings of inadequacy, especially in male-dominated industries where women may already feel like outsiders

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

As an executive coach, I often work with clients to overcome their imposter syndrome. There are several strategies that recur that show benefits:

• Gathering facts – keeping an achievement log that helps you visualize your successes and contributions
• Developing self-compassion – learning to treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding you extended to others
• Seeking support – building a supportive network that includes mentors, peers, and professional coaches
• Acknowledging the feelings – recognizing and naming the feelings as imposter syndrome can diminish its power
• Redefining failure – shifting the perception of failure from a negative outcome to an opportunity for growth and learning

Imposter syndrome is a common challenge, but with awareness and the right strategies, you can overcome these debilitating doubts to embrace your full potential. For women, dismantling imposter syndrome is not just about personal growth, it is also about changing the narrative for future generations of women in all professional fields.

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