Impostor Syndrome
Here’s How to Recognize and Overcome It
Acting as a coach and advisor occasionally results in my exposure to some non-business issues facing executives. These issues sometimes involve psychology and sociology. Not being trained in either of those fields limits my ability to get productively involved in these situations. But I certainly can write blog posts about them.
Since the beginning of this year I have run into several instances of impostor syndrome among startup executives.
Impostor syndrome – also known as impostorism – occurs among higher functioning individuals who harbor doubts about their skills, talents, or accomplishments. It causes them to have intermittent or persistent fears of being exposed as a "fraud". Despite ample evidence to the contrary about their competence, those experiencing impostor syndrome remain convinced that they are imposters, frauds or posers in one way or another.
Impostor syndrome manifests when an individual fails to internalize his or her accomplishments and instead, are left with self-doubt and fear of exposure. Even individuals holding lofty positions – such as directors on Boards, CEOs or executive leadership jobs – aren’t immune from impostor syndrome, and may exhibit symptoms to one extent or another. Individuals occupying other, less high-profile positions in organizations can struggle with this issue as well. Often, imposter syndrome is associated with career growth such as getting a promotion or taking on new responsibilities. It can even be associated with the maturity of a company or business situation – such as achieving financing round such as Series A or B, etc.
For a variety of reasons, jobs in the tech sector are highly desirable. So, it’s quite normal for people to covet jobs in startups. Some even envision themselves in a “dream job” such as CEO or CTO. Still the individual worries they do not measure up to expectations or believe their abilities won’t match those of their coworkers or classmates, or both. These feelings may fade as the individual settles in and gets familiar with the role. Sometimes, though, the issue can get progressively worse. This is especially true if the individual fails to receive support, validation, and encouragement from their supervisors, peers or even the marketplace.
I also believe that other factors, including the COVID pandemic, the supply chain challenges and insecurity in financial markets have created an atmosphere in which impostor syndrome may thrive. But in addition, crazy financial valuations and huge rounds of funding have also contributed to an atmosphere wherein impostor syndrome can flourish.
More significantly on personal level are factors involving work-life balance – such as those impacting those who work long-hours in startups; or have one or more children after working without them for years; or have aging parents; or simply have or want a life outside of work.
In early-stage and emerging companies, a frequent response to impostor syndrome by founders and executive leaders is over-involvement. Some refer to this as ‘founderitis’, but it’s more often called micro-management or perfectionism.
Whatever you call it, impostor syndrome is now in the mainstream. It’s referenced extensively on social media and in other online circles. Scientists, researchers, and academics recognize it as a legitimate behavioral health condition that impairs professional performance and development, and that contributes to burnout.
Some Data
Here is some recent data about imposter syndrome:
According to a study carried out by Blind – a workplace insights platform – 58% of tech workers experience imposter feelings.
A Twitter poll found 87% of people said they had experienced imposter syndrome.
A 2019 review by Trusted Source of 62 studies on imposter syndrome suggested that anywhere from 9 to 82% of people report having thoughts along the lines of Impostor syndrome
Dealing With It
The following is a short list of strategies that may help resolve feelings of impostorism or avoid it altogether, and in the process, improve personal productivity:
Challenge Your Self-Doubts
When thoughts of being an imposter surface, ask yourself whether those feelings square with objective reality and correlate with actual facts. In other words, examine the evidence to counter thoughts of being an imposter.
Avoid Comparison with Others
The current generation of first-time CEOs, executives, managers and staff use online resources for comparison or crowdsourced comparisons as sources of differentiation. In particular, today a LinkedIn profile or public bio, or some articles (especially with exec pics) appearing in industry trade media and financial publications are used as a relative metric of your own sense of success. Certainly do not use this online information to highlight your flaws or the inadequacies in your career path. Consider exploring ways to develop your abilities that are uniquely yours or important to you. Everyone has unique abilities. You are where you are because someone recognized your talents and your potential – and you’re meeting their expectations.
Acknowledge and Share the Impostor Syndrome Beast Within
Identify your feelings of impostorism and share them with a trusted friend, coach or mentor. Doing so and sharing your distress can help you get some positive outside context on the situation. Once you share imposter feelings, you’ll likely feel less overwhelmed.
Detour Away from the Impostor Syndrome Beast
Actively avoid giving into the feelings of impostorism by building new bridges that detour your thoughts away from the impostor syndrome beast. Reinforce established relationships with colleagues, co-workers, classmates and other contacts. In other words, build new or reinforce established bridges of mutual support.
Break the Back of the Impostor Syndrome Beast
This is a bold solution: Share feelings of impostorism with a peer or competitor who may be the source of the inadequacy that underlies these feelings. This is obviously very risky, but it is for many the singular way to come face-to-face these feelings of inadequacy and learn what’s behind them. In short, directly confronting your fear can be a great way to overcome it.
Recognize that Reviews will Not Provide Relief
This last strategy may be obvious but it’s necessary to point out. Impostorism will not disappear by way of a discussion with a board member, review by a manager or a meeting with the executive who placed the new responsibilities with you. Defeating the beast involves looking within, talking it out and working through the issues of insecurity or hang-ups around perfection.
Conclusion
Everyone suffers from self-doubt. It’s just a question of degree and how debilitating it is. The key point for people in the tech sector to understand is that they must maintain a realistic perspective of self. Stay tethered to reality-based assessments of who they are, what they are doing, and how to pursue healthy paths toward realizing professional growth and self-actualization.
If none of the above suggestions work, and you continue to struggle with imposter feelings, seek the help of a trained professional.
It’s important to remember two things: Success doesn’t require perfection and being kind to one-self – as opposed to being so self-judging – is the key to being comfortable to your level of success, whatever that may be.
Further Reading
You’re Not a Fraud. Here’s How to Recognize and Overcome Imposter Syndrome
https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/imposter-syndrome
Imposter Syndrome: How to Overcome It at Work
https://builtin.com/career-development/imposter-syndrome
Prevalence, Predictors, and Treatment of Impostor Syndrome: a Systematic Review https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7174434/