How to Beat Imposter Syndrome
Thanks to Author, Katie Delgadoand Forbesfor this article.
At times we have all felt we are not qualified enough for our role or to make a presentation or take on a new project despite having plenty of knowledge, experience and qualifications. We all need a reminder that we are not alone and there are some tips that can help us overcome this.
Katie Delgado gives some great advice for women in IT but it’s absolutely spot on for women in the Aid & Development sector too.
Hey Tech Lady,
What advice do you have for women in tech or in the working force that are experiencing impostor syndrome? At times in my career I have felt I am not qualified enough for my role even though I have the years and knowledge to back it up. How do I overcome this? I have worked with male colleagues with less work experience and subject matter knowledge that don’t seem to have this issue at all.
— Katie R., UX Design Lead, via LinkedIn.
If you’re a human being, you’ve likely felt like an impostor at one time or another. As adults, as professionals, as women and especially as women in tech. (Shout-out to Product and UX women, too.)
Women account for just 16% of senior-level technology jobs in the U.S. and only 10% of executive positions, according to the Quantifying Gender Gap study by Entelo, a company helping recruiters find under-represented job candidates.
I’ve heard variations of the impostor question over and over since I worked my way into my first leadership role. My go-to answer for women wondering how to get over impostor syndrome is, "use your voice."
One of my favorite movies, As Good As It Gets, summed it up best when, out of sheer exasperation, Greg Kinnear’s character tells Jack Nicholson’s, “The best thing you have going for you is your willingness to humiliate yourself.”
I’m certainly not suggesting that you purposely embarrass yourself in front of a room full of coworkers, but I am encouraging you to take a risk, speak up and give your opinion when it isn’t asked for.
Go ahead and ask that question you think everyone else already knows the answer to. In small conversations and big meetings I remember that quote, even more so in times when I'm riddled with self-doubt and — let’s be honest, ladies — that’s most of the time.
You may be wondering, why bother? It’s true that staying under the radar can be comforting. By doing the minimum your role requires you can still keep those paychecks rolling in. Not taking a risk can be a safe way to avoid failure. It’s also a good way to ensure nothing extraordinary happens, either.
If you’re driven to make a difference while climbing the corporate ladder, make yourself heard. Sometimes it might backfire, but I guarantee it will be beneficial more often than not.
Here's what else I’ve learned clawing my way through difficult situations. Perhaps sharing will help you avoid some of that clawing. And please share your own experiences of successes and setbacks — and questions about challenging situations — in the comments section. Or email me at TechLady@forbes.com
YOU’RE QUALIFIED
Many women I've met drown in anxiety over qualifications they think they’re missing compared with their male peers or peers in general. But I’ve been collaboratively hiring people for enough years to know that hiring managers consistently value aptitude over subject matter expertise.
Remember that smart, experienced professionals screened you, saw your potential, thought you'd add value and they hired you. They knew what they were doing, which means you do too. Or at the very least, you’ll learn.
No one executes perfectly from the start and if you did, you would be ready for what’s next. You’re expected to grow in your current role and you will (or should) be given the space to do so.
CONFIDENCE IS PARTLY AN ILLUSION
How many times have you felt sick-to-your-stomach nervous but played it off like you’re cool and collected?
Lots. If you say otherwise, you’re sus, as my kids say. Often we find ourselves surrounded by colleagues who seem confident tossing opinions back and forth while we feel like the frightened observer trying not to get caught in the crosstalk. Don't be fooled.
They have doubts of their own and I guarantee that if you have a question, someone else in the room is thinking the same thing. Be the one who speaks up. You may feel like tossing your cookies at first but the more you talk, the less the urge will rise. Over time, you’ll find that you’re more comfortable and have become a go-to team member along the way.
‘I’LL TAKE IT!’
You’re in yet another meeting and an action item comes up along with the inevitable question: Who will handle it?
You, that’s who.
It may be a subject you have little to no knowledge about. It may be intimidating to even contemplate. Volunteer anyway. Nothing boosts your self-assuredness like taking on new challenges and succeeding.
Learning as you go increases your expertise. When you’re stumped, you have a whole company’s worth of colleagues to tap and reaching out increases your visibility. In the end, you’ll have replaced that impostor syndrome with experience, knowledge and confidence.
MIND THE GAP
I have yet to work at a company that does everything perfectly. This seems like a negative but you can turn it into a personal positive by finding the gaps in process and tools and improving them.
Don’t wait for someone to ask you to investigate a problem; take the initiative. Keep your eyes peeled for ways to optimize existing methodologies or create new ones. Come up with a solution and pitch it. You’ll impress the leaders, help your peers and chip away even more at your own impostor syndrome.
75% Of Women Executives Experience Imposter Syndrome in the Workplace
Thanks to Forbes and Luciana Paulise, contributor, coach and author of the book We Culture.
This article discusses key contributors to increased feelings of imposter syndrome and helpful techniques to combat it.
A KPMG study finds 75% of female executives across industries have experienced imposter syndrome in their careers, which is a feeling of inadequacy and self-doubt that makes them continuously doubt if they are qualified enough for the job.
Despite having education, certifications and training, it is hard for them to feel comfortable with who they are and see their worth. Hence, they tend to work long hours to try to prove themselves, are afraid to ask questions or ask for help, and may avoid speaking up or asking for challenging jobs. They also have more anxiety, stress, and burnout, and they spend more time trying to focus on a challenging project because their self-talk is so negative that impairs them.
While there are personal factors that make some people more prone to suffer imposter syndrome, like being mistreated at home compared to other siblings, there are many other workplace aspects that contribute to increasing imposter syndrome:
The lack of role models or people who look like you, share your background, and are succeeding in your field may make you feel you don’t belong or will never be good enough. For instance, seeing more men in managerial roles can make you think it will be harder to become a manager.
Racist and sexist comments like women are not good leaders because they're too emotional; women are not good at maths or science.
Not having a supportive performance manager, someone that understands how you feel and takes measures to make you feel better. For instance, a supportive manager provides frequent feedback and offers opportunities to show your experience.
Not being rewarded fairly. Statistics show a significant pay gap between men and women in similar positions. For example, in 2022, women earned an average of 82% of what men earned, according to a new Pew Research Center analysis of median hourly earnings of both full- and part-time workers.
The lack of confidence nurtured by personal factors or previous experience in other workplaces that didn’t validate your abilities.
Surprisingly, research does not show that imposter syndrome is more significant in women than men, but it suggests that it manifests in different ways. Men tend to underperform avoiding challenging goals and feedback, while women challenge themselves even more to prove their worth, but are never relieved of stress and anxiety, even when performing as expected.
First steps to deal with imposter syndrome:
People with imposter syndrome are usually the brightest in the workplace! They need someone to validate their abilities. If you are one of them, start with these steps to get where you want to get faster:
Identify that negative self-talk and look for the facts to challenge your thinking. Generalizing like “I never achieve”, or “everyone else always gets” makes it harder to see a positive future. Look for a more realistic outlook, fact-check your thoughts and take action.
Remind yourself of your achievements. Celebrate them when they come, and keep them on your head when doubts kick in. Identify every day at least one little win, to help you stay positive. Use sticky notes or reminders to keep those wins fresh. You can also get some downloadable inspirational posts online. The most important reminder is that you don’t need that external validation, validate yourself!
Get a mentor or sponsor at work: when your manager is not supportive enough, you can look for another company mentor. Get help from someone you see as more similar to you, who can understand how you feel and who helps you feel more confident with your current path.
If you find it challenging to get what you want, don’t sabotage yourself by taking it personally. Instead, look for help, inside or outside the company, and identify what is within your control to change.