Imposter Syndrome (how to get over it)

Over the span of my 15 year career in the Royal Air Force, I watched this “Imposter Syndrome” crop up in people of varying positions from junior staff to extremely senior leaders …. constantly.

I too was struck by imposter syndrome on many occasions.

I was fortunate enough to be in a senior management position at a young age.

Once the initial excitement wore off, however, I was left with the nagging questions and self doubt…

• What if I can’t answer their questions in the meeting?

• What if my team look to me for direction and I don’t know which way to lead them?

• What if they take my rank away from me because they got it wrong… what if they promoted the wrong person?!?

The list goes on and on.

Leaving the Military and starting my own Consultancy business has brought this back to the surface.

Fortunately, I learnt the tools to combat this as I climbed the ranks. I’ve spent the last 2 weeks working through the issue and thought I would share what I know.

If you feel like you’re battling the question of “Am I Even Capable”…. This one’s for you 👇🏼

Understanding and Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Imposter syndrome is a psychological pattern where individuals doubt their accomplishments and have a persistent fear of being exposed as a "fraud".

Despite external evidence of their competence, those experiencing imposter syndrome remain convinced that they do not deserve the success they have achieved.

This phenomenon can affect anyone, regardless of their social status, work background, skill level, or degree of expertise.

Sound familiar?

What is Imposter Syndrome?

First identified in 1978 by psychologists Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes, imposter syndrome is characterised by chronic self-doubt and feelings of intellectual fraudulence that override any feelings of success or external proof of competence.

People with imposter syndrome, like me, attribute their accomplishments to luck rather than to their own abilities, and they often fear that others will eventually unmask them as a fraud.

Why Does Imposter Syndrome Happen?

Several factors contribute to the development of imposter syndrome:

Perfectionism

Perfectionists (guilty 🙄) set excessively high goals for themselves, and when they fail to reach these goals, they experience significant self-doubt and worry about measuring up.

Family Environment

Growing up in an environment that places a high value on achievement or sets unrealistic expectations can contribute to feelings of inadequacy.

Parents who send mixed messages by being both over-praising and overly critical can also foster these feelings.

New Challenges

Starting a new job (or even your own consultancy business 👨🏻‍💻), attending a new school, or taking on a new role can trigger imposter syndrome.

Being in a new environment where expectations and success metrics are unclear can exacerbate feelings of inadequacy.

Social Comparisons

Constantly comparing oneself to others, particularly in the age of social media, can amplify feelings of not measuring up.

The curated successes of others can make individuals feel like they are the only ones struggling.

Personality Traits

Certain personality traits, such as anxiety and low self-esteem, can make individuals more susceptible to imposter syndrome.

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

While imposter syndrome can be challenging, there are several strategies to manage and overcome it.

Acknowledge Your Feelings

The first step in overcoming imposter syndrome is recognising and acknowledging the feelings and thoughts associated with it.

Understand that it is a common experience and that many people, even those who appear confident, have felt this way at some point!

Honestly, you’re not alone.

Talk About It

Sharing your feelings with trusted friends, mentors, or a therapist can help you gain perspective.

Often, discussing your fears can reveal that others have similar experiences and can offer valuable insights and support.

If people you trust, and that genuinely trust you, open up - you’ll realise you’re not alone

Reframe Your Thoughts

Challenge your negative thoughts and reframe them. Instead of thinking, "I don’t know what I’m doing," remind yourself, "I may not know everything, but I am capable and willing to learn."

Something I have to remind myself of - Just because you have a certificate that says you’ve completed a course doesn’t actually mean you’re experienced in that field… and to be honest, despite what you may think, no one expects you to be.

Focus on Your Achievements

Keep a record of your accomplishments, positive feedback, and successes.

Reflect on these regularly to remind yourself of your competence and abilities.

Journaling is a great way of reminding yourself what you’ve achieved.

Celebrate the little wins

Celebrate your progress, no matter how small, especially the little comments that you may dismiss.

Here as some I’ve had in the last 2 weeks:

“Thank you so much, I couldn’t have done it without you”

“You’ve saved me no end of time… I was going round in circles”

“It seems so obvious when you put it like that”

“I would never have thought of doing it that way!”

And just like that, the Imposter Syndrome starts to melt away….

Limit Comparisons

Reduce the amount of time you spend comparing yourself to others, especially on social media.

Focus on your own journey and progress rather than measuring yourself against someone else's highlights.

This is where social media eats away at your happiness.

Focus on what you can control, learn from your mistakes and come back stronger.

Seek Professional Help

If imposter syndrome is significantly impacting your life, consider seeking help from a mental health professional.

Therapy can provide a supportive space to explore these feelings and develop effective coping strategies.

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In Summary

Imposter syndrome is a pervasive issue that affects many people across various fields.

Understanding its root causes and implementing strategies to combat it can help alleviate the associated feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt.

By acknowledging your accomplishments, seeking support, and reframing your thoughts, you can overcome imposter syndrome and fully embrace your successes.

Remember, you are not an imposter—you are capable and deserving of your achievements.

I don’t have all the answers, and I’m not ashamed to admit that - but if you’re feeling this way and would like someone to offload to, drop me a message - happy to talk through it with you ✌🏼

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