Let's talk Imposters!

I was reading an article recently that referred back to the original paper about Imposter Phenomenon in high achieving women, and I'll admit it is the first time I'd heard it described that way. More commonly people refer to Imposter Syndrome, and there is at least a small part of me thinks that Syndrome is simply easier to spell (and say if it comes to that!) but I'm not sure that the change is truly a helpful one.

Syndromes are generally associated with a collection of symptoms, and once we begin to associate something with symptoms, we have started down the route of things being 'wrong' with us. A phenomenon somehow carries more hope and positivity with it. And if you are one of the estimated 70% of people who have experienced imposter phenomenon then there is much to be hopeful and positive about.

Typically there are 3 thoughts that occur. People doubt their skills and fear that they will be exposed as a fraud, despite evidence of success they do not believe it is deserved, and that they are not as capable as others believe them to be. The first piece of good news is you must first be successful before you can experience the sense of fraud about your success!

I remember being promoted into my first senior leadership role. For several years I had looked at others in those positions and thought 'I could do that' or sometimes 'I could do that better than they do it', although the latter was more a judgement about their lack of ability rather than my capability. Then I was offered the opportunity to step up. A week or so after accepting the job I felt sick, physically nauseous, accompanied by the thought 'whatever made me think I could do this?!?' But it wasn't imposter syndrome. At that point I was not successful at anything other than being offered the job, I still had everything to prove. The feeling passed. Its good to remember that you can never know everything and that new experiences are there to learn from.

Throughout my career I would carry a healthy level of self belief, with occasional dips into self doubt. But this also wasn't imposter syndrome. I was not afraid of being found out as a fraud by other people. It was a combination of two of my particular personality traits. I know internally whether or not I've done a good job, without anyone telling me, and I have generally high expectations. I also move away from consequences, so the dips were just me avoiding complacency that can otherwise slip in.

So the next bit of good news is that so called imposters rarely stop trying. They are generally the ones striving for excellence, going above and beyond. In fact they are the employees you most want. Successful, always seeking to prove themselves and improve themselves.

The problem with imposter phenomenon is twofold. How the organisation helps or hinders, and how the individual managers their own wellbeing. Lets start with some tips for the organisation. Great leaders will create an environment where mistakes are learning experiences, differences are valued, and trust, honesty and respect are core values. Its very difficult to feel like an imposter in an environment like this. One where you are encouraged to learn, be honest about how you feel, be trusted when things are going well, and when they aren't. To be allowed to be perfectly imperfect.

And so to those of you who are among the majority who believe they experience this imposter phenomenon - remember its not actually a 'thing'. What you are experiencing is one or more individual limiting beliefs. Take time to note down some of the evidence of your success. We can be much better at identifying our weaknesses and rather too humble when it comes to acknowledging success. I'm not asking you to become proud or boastful, only to pay attention to things that have gone well.

Take time to get to know and understand yourself better. Rather than assuming there is something right or wrong with you, get to know who you really are. Often our limiting beliefs stem from something seemingly unrelated in our past, or just decisions we have made on our way through life. Wherever they are from, it is possible to update your thinking.

If you want to take some steps to change your thinking try the Self Belief hypnotherapy recording on our website. Or get in touch to find out more about our therapeutic conversations.