Have you ever felt like you’re in over your head at work? That you somehow lucked out in landing a position that you’re really not qualified for? Well, you’re certainly not alone. In fact, the feeling is so prevalent that it even has its own name: imposter syndrome.
Feeling Like a Fraud?
Imposter syndrome is a psychological phenomenon where individuals doubt their abilities, feeling like frauds despite evident success and accomplishments. This pervasive issue affects people across various professions and levels of achievement, leading to chronic self-doubt and a persistent fear of being exposed as incompetent.
Imposter syndrome can manifest in numerous ways. Individuals may attribute their successes to luck rather than skill, downplay their achievements, or experience intense fear of failure.
Signs of Imposter Syndrome
Common signs of imposter syndrome include:
- Perfectionism. Setting excessively high standards and feeling disappointed when they are not met.
- Overworking. Putting in extra hours to compensate for perceived inadequacies.
- Self-Doubt. Constantly questioning one’s abilities and qualifications.
- Fear of Failure. Avoiding new challenges due to fear of not meeting expectations.
- Discounting Praise. Dismissing compliments and attributing success to external factors.
Research indicates that imposter syndrome can impact anyone, but it tends to impact some groups more than others.
Some Impacted More Than Others
For example, imposter syndrome often affects high-achieving individuals. “Imposter syndrome…increases with an employee’s rank,” according to a recent Forbes article by Emma Hinchliffe and Nina Ajemian. “71% of CEOs and 65% of senior executives said they felt it, compared to 33% of early-stage workers. Imposter syndrome is a different question than competence; 82% of employees, both male and female, agreed they are competent in their roles.”
Interestingly, recent studies also highlight gender differences in how imposter syndrome manifests and impacts men and women. “Often, the conversation about imposter syndrome feels exclusive to women; women are often more open about discussing those feelings as they rise the ranks,” write Hinchcliffe and Ajemian. “The new data shows that the opposite may, in fact, be true, and men just aren’t talking about it.”
Women Most at Risk
Societal expectations and gender stereotypes often place undue pressure on certain groups to excel in professional and personal spheres simultaneously. Women are more likely to internalize failure and attribute success to external factors rather than their capabilities. This internalization can exacerbate feelings of inadequacy and fuel imposter syndrome.
Moreover, workplace dynamics and the lack of representation in leadership roles can intensify these feelings for women. When women do not see themselves reflected in higher positions, it can reinforce the belief that they do not belong or are not deserving of their achievements.
Conversely, men also experience imposter syndrome, but they may express it differently. Men are often conditioned to suppress vulnerabilities, leading them to overcompensate through assertive behavior or by avoiding situations where they might feel inadequate. This can make imposter syndrome less visible among men, though it is no less impactful.
Lin Grensing-Pophal is a Contributing Editor at HR Daily Advisor.