Imposter syndrome significantly impacts our professional resilience. A KPMG study found that 75% of female executives across industries have experienced it in their careers. Though men may face it less, it still hinders professionals from performing at their best.
Imposter syndrome entails feeling inadequate, doubting ourselves, and fearing exposure as frauds despite evidence of competence and success. To reach our career potential, we must be resilient, but imposter syndrome weakens our ability to thrive in challenges.
I recently had a big dose of Imposter Syndrome, which in fact lead me to dive deeper into this topic.
You see I was booked to deliver a keynote presentation in front of my biggest audience ever. It was in Nashville, Tennessee in front of 6000 of the world’s leading Life Insurance and Financial Services professionals.
I had done a gazillion hours of preparation that involved coaches and colleagues to help me improve my content, my slides, my stage presence, my outfit! I had done everything I could do deliver the keynote presentation of my life. I felt confident, excited, and of course a little nervous … but mostly I felt ready. This event was the kind of event I had dreamed of and set intentions about for years. I knew I would be able to truly empower and inspire the audience to tolerate their tough times better so they could continue to be the talented, kind, and clever humans who create financial security for hundreds of thousands of people across the globe.
And then, I saw the program. I was following Dylan Alcott. You see I have been a tennis fan since I was a little girl and Dylan was at superhero status to me and I started to freak out.
How on earth could I possibly follow someone I considered a superhero? I mean an Australian of the Year, a gold medallist across two sports, grand slam titles and just a down-to-earth fabulous guy who is also a funny, impactful keynote speaker.
Thank goodness, I had a talented and wise colleague who was able to help me remember why I was going to be OK. In fact, on the day, I was more than OK because I got a standing ovation. Wooohooooo. Plus, I got to hang out with Dylan in the green room, laugh with him, share stories with him and have him tell me I looked like a crazy lady while I was practising backstage.
The entire experience though was a wake-up call to how quickly we can go from feeling confident to crippled with imposter syndrome and how this can impact our ability to perform at our best in our professional roles.
Here are four ways imposter syndrome affects us at work:
Self-doubt and fear of failure:
It leads us to doubt our abilities and believe our accomplishments result from luck. This erodes our confidence and makes us fearful of failure, limiting our ability to develop resilience in the face of adversity.
Perfectionism and avoidance:
We pursue perfection to avoid exposure as frauds. Setbacks make us overly critical, and we may avoid risks and opportunities out of fear of making mistakes or not meeting our own high standards.
Difficulty seeking support:
Imposter syndrome makes us hesitant to seek help, isolating us and depriving us of valuable guidance because we fear that doing so would expose our perceived incompetence.
Burnout and excessive self-pressure:
The constant pressure to prove oneself, combined with the fear of being discovered as a fraud, can lead to relentless self-imposed pressure. This pressure can exhaust us emotionally and mentally, leaving us more vulnerable to burnout.
To combat imposter syndrome and bolster professional resilience:
Take action today:
Reflect on your imposter syndrome experiences and explore strategies to combat it. Embrace a growth mindset to challenge self-doubt.
Seek support:
Reach out to trusted colleagues, mentors, or coaches for guidance and encouragement on your resilience journey.
Share your story:
Opening up about imposter syndrome empowers others to do the same, fostering a supportive community where we uplift and inspire each other.
Remember, we are not alone in this struggle. Let’s overcome imposter syndrome, build resilience, and embrace our true capabilities together.