Episode 23: Who Do I Think I Am? [a.k.a. Imposter Syndrome]
You Are Not a Fraud!
If you have a hard time owning your accomplishments and showing up authentically - you are not alone! You also can shift this. Let’s get into it.
Enjoy!
Listen Here:
(The notes below are only a brief summary of what is discussed in the podcast. Be sure to listen to get all of the goodness! If you would like a full transcription of the episode, please send an email request to: angie@angie-robinson.com. We’d be happy to provide that!)
I’m not an expert in imposter syndrome - but I certainly have my own experience with it! To be honest - I don’t love the term “imposter syndrome”. It sounds like a medical diagnosis…and it’s not. It is not something you have – it is something you experience.
So what is it?
Imposter syndrome refers to an internal experience of believing that you are not as competent as others perceive you to be despite your education, experience, and accomplishments. It’s when we doubt our abilities and feel like a fraud. It’s when we persistently diminish what we achieve.
It does seem to disproportionately affect high-achieving people who find it difficult to accept their accomplishments, as well as disproportionately affects women. According to the latest study that I saw - 70%-80% of adults experience imposter syndrome at some point of their lives.
I believe it is part of the normal human experience. It is common for us to just doubt ourselves. There could be many reasons for this, including our innate personality style and society’s pressures, expectations and conditioning.
One caveat: There is a misconception that imposter syndrome is a problem that needs to be fixed at the individual level. We must also realize that there are people who actually get punished for showing up and “playing big” - and this is a result of systemic racism, sexism (and all the other ‘isms’) plus biases. This contributes to people playing small . It is our responsibility to educate ourselves on this - and, especially as leaders – work to address it in our workplaces. See the article under “links” to read more.
When Might Imposter Syndrome Show Up?
It might show up in certain situations only (i.e. when you present or interact with the C suite) – or it can be something that is there every day. Here are some times you might notice it:
When you’re with people you perceive to be at a ‘higher level’
When you get promoted or start a new role
When you feel like the ‘new’ person
When you become more visible (i.e. going from individual contributor to a manager)
After you’ve accomplished something ‘big’
What Does Imposter Syndrome Sound Like?
Note: thank you to Rachel Hart (master certified life coach from The Life Coach School) for her teachings on the rest of this content!
Externally - the words used will be dismissive, like:
It was a fluke…
It’s not that big of a deal…
‘So and so’ really made that happen…
It’s just because…
She was just being nice…
I don’t know how I did that…
Internally - you have thoughts centered around doubt, like:
Who do I think I am?
I shouldn’t be doing this….
I’m sure they are judging me…
What Are Some of the Impacts?
Play Small
Overwork to prove yourself
Not go for opportunities
Not show up as you
Increase in stress, unhappiness, disengagement, burnout
What Are Some Ways to Dismantle Imposter Syndrome?
First of all, remember that it’s not happening TO you….you have ‘control’ over it.
Start with yourself. It’s not about convincing others of your accomplishments - it’s believing in yourself and confidently owning it from a place of self-love.
Try doing a Model putting the accomplishment in the results line and work the model backward (refer to Episode 9 for information about The Model). Write down all the actions (get specific) you took to create that accomplishment. Explore what the feelings and thoughts were to generate those actions. You will be creating evidence that it couldn’t have happened without you.
Ask yourself: Where does Imposter Syndrome show up in my life? What are accomplishments that I don’t take ownership for? How has it impacted me (at work or otherwise)?
Put a picture of your younger self up where you can see it. When you start to have those thoughts of imposter syndrome - ask if you would ever say those things to the younger version of you. You wouldn’t - it’s mean and cruel!
Name your imposter syndrome (mine is Cruelle DeVille!)
What do you think?
Do you experience imposter syndrome?
How has it impacted you?
Links
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