Dealing with the lie called impostor syndrome
“Iled the delegation that concluded the largest multi-billion dollar refinery project finance deal in Sub Saharan Africa”, the first person said. In an entirely different scenario, another speaks; “Wow” that was a close shave! The next time I give such an amazing presentation, I’m sure they will see that none of it was really mine, but the product of in-depth study, how could such have come from me?!” I bet from both statements, you might presume which was made by a man and which by a woman. This belief or art of leaving the possibility of success to others, in spite of our hard work and best efforts is aptly termed impostor syndrome.
Impostor syndrome (also known as i mpostor phenomenon, impostorism, fraud syndrome or the impostor experience) is a psychological pattern in which an individual doubts their skills, talents or accomplishments and has a persistent internalised fear of being exposed as a “fraud”. These individuals are often already accomplished.
The statements above do not exclude men from the impostor syndrome phenomenon. Albert Einstein was notably the poster boy for impostor syndrome in men! He famously referred to himself as a charlatan and a fraud. He was famously quoted to have said that: “The exaggerated esteem in which my lifework is held makes me very ill at ease. I feel compelled to think of myself as an involuntary swindler” Imagine Einstein! In his company was the late great poet and play wright, Maya Angelou, who famously said: “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.” Statistics however reveal, that women suffer impostor syndrome more than men do. According to Brian Daniel Nor ton, a psychotherapist and executive coach in New York, women of colour, especially black women, are most at risk, due to their experience of systemic oppression or having been directly or indirectly told their whole life that they are less-than or underserving of success; when these women begin to achieve things in a way that goes against a long-standing narrative in the mind, imposter syndrome will occur. Corporate culture is another factor that exacerbates the problem of imposter particularly for women. My punch line is that unchecked impostor syndrome causes ineffective communication, which is the root cause of most personal or business relationship problems. This births poor perception in the minds of our target audience, due to the loss of confidence that this anxiety and self-doubt phenomenon causes. A lack of confidence is indeed visible to the common eye. It then becomes a roller coaster of failed relationships and stunted destinies. Self- doubt, in spite of one doing all the right things, leaves you feeling like an imposter, no matter what. Most people suffer from imposter syndrome at some point or the other and for various reasons. The most important notes are how to recognise the signs as well as: what can we do when that feeling starts to boil up?
Impostor syndrome is one habit that is prevalent in diverse professionals and must be completely done away with, if we are to realise the maximum productivity potential in ourselves and of our teams.
People who are unable to manage impostor syndrome, fail to see that they have just as much know-how and value as everybody else who they falsely believe knows more than them or delivers more value than them. The fact is everyone feels like an imposter sometimes, it is what you do with the feeling that counts. Do you sit back and fail to seize career boosting opportunities? Or fail to speak up where necessary? Or prefer to be less visible letting other people take credit for your work. A great way to overcome the imposter syndrome is to understand and apply the confidence cycle.
TO BE CONTINUED…