The Purpose-Driven Women’s Guide to Combatting Imposter Syndrome
Increasingly, I am seeing evidence of imposter syndrome showing up among my clients, friends, and colleagues. Having struggled with it myself for years, it is something I continually have to monitor and manage, though it does not impact me as much as it used to. Knowing how much it can adversely impact women’s personal and professional lives, I wanted to write a post that offered a few solutions to address it.
In my own life, imposter syndrome showed up as sometimes crippling self-doubt and performance anxiety, despite evidence showing my accomplishments and successes. In college, even though I was acing most of my courses, every time I took an exam I thought I’d failed. My friends and family thought I was being dramatic but in truth, I doubted myself every single time. Then I’d get the A or B+ and brush it off as a close call, only to repeat the same reaction with the next exam. In my early career as a market researcher, I was plagued with fears that I’d be fired because of poor performance. Then I’d get my yearly review, and be floored by the glowing accolades in direct opposition to my fears. Over time and with considerable personal development work, I got better at accepting my successes and believing that I was capable of excellence.
What causes imposter syndrome to rear its ugly head though? Some experts say the pressure of rising to new challenges can often make people question their experience, credibility, and skillset, paving the way to impostor syndrome. New successes or opportunities like a new job, a promotion, or other career milestones are triggers.
While imposter syndrome is an equal opportunity disorder, impacting 70% of the US population, it does appear to impact women more than men. Also, certain characteristics like being the firstborn can make imposter syndrome more likely to emerge.
It should come as no surprise that perfectionists also tend to suffer from imposter syndrome more frequently. Successful, purpose-driven professionals with high aspirations can find themselves crippled with insecurity, doubting themselves even as they achieve milestone after milestone. Because in their distorted “all or nothing” thinking, they have to be perfect, or else they have failed.
Imposter syndrome held me back for many years. My career as a market researcher plateaued until I gained the confidence and freedom to believe I deserved every success—shoot that I had earned it! Until I shook off that imposter on my back that said I was not good enough, I could not shine. I could not reach or even dream of higher aspirations. I would never have had the guts to finally abandon my market research career and pursue my dream of entrepreneurship as an Image Consultant if I had let imposter syndrome keep me playing small. And hear this ladies; I was not only afraid of failing in my career—I was also afraid of succeeding because if I did the light would shine more brightly on me making me feel more pressure to perform perfectly.
This is why we are talking about this. If what you’ve read so far sounds like you, know that you don’t have to continue to make imposter syndrome define you or your career goals. Let my testimony inspire and encourage you—you can get past it so you can manage it and catch yourself before you spiral out of control. But it will take some work. To give you a kick start, here are a few solutions that worked for me and others.
Replace perfectionism with power. When you recognize that there is no perfection on this side of eternity and embrace the truth that you are everything you are meant to be right here right now, you can flip a finger at perfectionism-driven imposter syndrome.
Identify and curate a “Strengths and Successes” inventory. If you’ve been reading my posts for a bit you know I’m all about playing to your strengths. I highly recommend taking the CliftonStrengths Assessment to give you an objective perspective in the areas where you shine. But don’t just take the assessment—take a deep dive into understanding each of your Signature Strengths and how you express them in your role. Then incorporate it into your work life so you refine and fine-tune how you express those strengths in all your activities. I am passionate about helping women leverage their strengths so please reach out to explore how I can help you maximize and mobilize them, so your brilliance goes into another orbit.
Seeing all your strengths, accomplishments, and wins professionally makes it harder to justify that it’s all just luck. Refer back to your “Strengths and Successes” inventory whenever you find yourself doubting your abilities and questioning your potential.
Identify allies, mentors, and advocates in the workplace who believe in you and are supportive of you professionally. Talk to them about our fears and solicit feedback from them about their experiences with doubt and insecurities. Even if your mentors don’t have full-blown imposter syndrome, every successful woman has experienced doubt and low self-confidence. They will be able to relate and help you see that they are not that different from you, which helps normalize your experiences. Imposter syndrome gains power when you believe it is personal to you. Talking about, acknowledging it, and listening to constructive feedback from other successful women will empower you to fight against it.
Look out for Part 2 of this post where I share four more strategies to combat imposter syndrome. How have you dealt with imposter syndrome in your career?
Natalie Jobity, MPhil, MBA, ACC, founder of The Unveiled Way, is a leadership and career coach, consultant, brand strategist, bestselling author, mentor, speaker, and facilitator who has earned a reputation as "The Brilliance Unveiler." She empowers female leaders to live in the fullness of their purpose and unveil their brilliance by leveraging the power of their strengths, expertise, and distinctiveness, so they make transformative impact in their sphere of influence.
Visit Natalie’s website to learn more about how she partners with leaders with her signature “Unveil Your Brilliance” program and her "Brand Your Biz Like a Boss" consulting service. While you’re there, join her Unveiled community and pick up your complimentary copy of her "Clarity For Your Calling” guide.