Imposter Syndrome: Are women secret agents in their careers?  

How to Handle Feeling Inferior

 

Have you ever felt like a fraud, even though you know you’re capable? You’re not alone! Many high achievers experience this feeling, known as Imposter Syndrome.

According to Psychology Today, around 25 to 30 percent of high performers deal with this. Nearly 70 percent of adults will face it at some point.

Syndrome makes it hard to believe in your achievements. It can leave you feeling like you’re just pretending to be successful. This can affect anyone, no matter their background or career.

 

The Research into Feeling Inferior

The term “imposter syndrome” was first coined in 1978 as “the imposter phenomenon” by psychologists Pauline Rose Clance, PhD, and Suzanne Imes, PhD. Their research focused on the experience of high-achieving women. They discovered that feeling like a fraud can come from family dynamics, like being compared to a smarter sibling.

“That inferiority in childhood causes you to overcompensate and develop unrealistically high expectations of yourself. You’re trying to outrun that feeling of incompetence,” says Michael Drane, PhD, LMCH. Drane says, “In other cases, women who their parents deemed as the exceptional one in the family, felt like a fraud. They didn’t necessarily trust their parents’ steadfast belief in them.”

From a societal viewpoint women may feel they need to be perfect, not just good. They can feel like imposters when they don’t meet these impossible standards. This has real consequences. Research shows that women are less likely than men to ask for salary increases, often because they don’t believe they deserve them.

 

Common signs of Imposter Syndrome for men and women include:

• Fear of failure or success
• Inability to accept praise or impulse to discount praise
• Overworking to prove yourself
• No matter what you achieve, it is never enough

These feelings of inadequacy can lead to anxiety and stress, burnout and delay. This can cause you to hesitate in taking on new opportunities, preventing you from making money and getting promoted. This can derail your career!

 

Help & Hope for Dealing with Imposter Syndrome

But here’s the good news: you can overcome Imposter Syndrome. Start by acknowledging your feelings and recognizing that perfection is an unrealistic goal. Challenge your negative self-talk and discuss your feelings with trusted friends or mentors. It is important to understand that making mistakes is a normal part of learning and growing.

Another key step is to accept compliments and praise. If you’re working hard and achieving results, you deserve to celebrate your success. Embrace your accomplishments and recognize that your experiences and perspectives are valuable. Remember, you’ve earned your place at the table.

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome is about being kinder to yourself, accepting positive feedback, and seeking support from others. Your achievements are real, and you deserve to feel proud of them. Believe in yourself—you’ve worked hard to get where you are, and it’s time to start recognizing your worth.

 

Common Signs of Imposter Syndrome

1. Individuals with Imposter Syndrome often set exceedingly high standards for themselves. They believe that anything less than perfect is not acceptable. They deal with constant self-criticism and a fear of failure.
2. Those experiencing Imposter Syndrome often downplay their achievements. They may attribute their success to luck, timing, or the help of others rather than their own skills and efforts. This mindset can prevent them from fully appreciating their capabilities.
3. A pervasive fear of being exposed as a fraud can cause a person to avoid taking on new challenges or responsibilities. This fear can stifle personal and professional growth. They may opt for safe, familiar tasks over opportunities that require stepping out of their comfort zone.
4. To compensate for their perceived inadequacy, individuals with Imposter Syndrome may overwork themselves. This often stems from a belief that they need to go above and beyond to prove their worth. This can lead to burnout and further exacerbate feelings of self-doubt.
5. People with Imposter Syndrome often dismiss positive feedback, viewing it as unwarranted or insincere. This inability to accept compliments can reinforce their belief that they are not truly deserving of success.

 

Identifying Imposter Syndrome in Yourself

If you frequently find yourself experiencing these signs, it might be time to reflect on whether Imposter Syndrome is affecting you. Ask yourself the following questions:

• Do you often feel like you’ve “lucked” into your achievements?
• You fear being exposed as incompetent despite evidence to the contrary?
• Do you find it difficult to accept compliments or praise?
• Have you set unrealistic standards for yourself and feel disappointed when you don’t meet them?
• Do you hesitate to take on new challenges due to fear of failure?

Psychology Today’s Imposter Syndrome Test

 

Recognizing these patterns is crucial in addressing Imposter Syndrome. By acknowledging these feelings and understanding that they are common among high-achieving individuals, you can begin challenging the negative self-perceptions that hold you back.