‘I’m a fraud and I’m going to be found out’

Do you have a secret fear of being ‘found out’ as somehow not good enough? If so, you may be suffering from imposter syndrome. Over half of women (52%) experience this fear at work and it’s one of the key drivers of the gender pay gap, says Clare Josa, author of Ditching Imposter Syndrome. In a 2019 research paper, she found women were much less likely than men to ask for the pay rises they deserved, and were more likely to accept a lower pay rise when promoted, hoping to get a better deal once they had ‘proved’ themselves. ‘People experiencing imposter syndrome often don’t recognise their achievements or capabilities,’ says Dr Terri Simpkin of Nottingham University Business School. ‘Where self-promotion is key to negotiating pay or rewards, this is a distinct disadvantage.’

Recognise that the voice saying you’re out of your depth is the voice of your fears, says Dr Jessamy Hibberd, author of The Imposter Cure. ‘Next time you feel discomfort, remind yourself that this is just how you feel, not how things are.’ Recognise your thoughts, take a step back and acknowledge to yourself that you are having an ‘imposter moment’.

Challenging your internal mindset with external evidence of your achievements, and finding a mentor who can see you objectively, can be helpful, says Kate Atkin, an expert on tackling imposter syndrome. She also suggests creating a folder of the positive feedback you receive.

Finally, when you go into appraisal meetings or pay negotiations, make sure you’re prepared with written, objective evidence of your capabilities, potential and track record, says Dr Simpkin: ‘People who experience imposter syndrome often believe what they’ve done is not extraordinary or worthy of note, when in fact their capabilities and capacities for achievement are valuable and should be rewarded financially.’