REWARD
Dr Sue Smith, CIPP education director EdD MA BEd FHEA FCMI Cmgr Assoc CIPD ACIPP, outlines the impact of imposter syndrome and how to navigate self-doubt in a success-driven world H ave you ever experienced that persistent feeling of self-doubt, the fear of being exposed as a fraud, despite a successful track record of your achievements?
undertaken with students who are pursuing post-secondary education regarding how they might experience imposter syndrome. For those professionals who are studying, this phenomenon could affect people on multiple fronts. Not only can the work-family conflict interfere with the family role due to engaging in the work role, but imposter syndrome can also be linked to work’s influence on family. Seeking social support is more common for females experiencing imposter syndrome but many people look for validation from colleagues and friends, asking, “Was that okay?” or “Did I do it correctly?”. Adopting maladaptive practices should be avoided. Responding by doing extra work to compensate, ignoring the feelings, or turning to alcohol / chocolate may not be appropriate coping strategies and can often provide only temporary relief. Seeking support To avoid or reduce the amount of pressure and emotional exhaustion, individuals should look for support from family, organisations and also from themselves. Seeking advice, suggestions and resources from peers, colleagues and friends who listen and express empathy, can be more constructive. Other suggestions include positive self-talk, regular exercise, and recognising success in all areas of their lives. So, how can we address these feelings of imposter syndrome in a practical way? Surviving (or even thriving) strategies can be adopted, even in a competitive and evaluative environment. First, recognise that this is an internal perception. People will approach goals (and therefore define success) differently based
on their perceived competence and fear of failure. Confidence levels and the belief in one’s own abilities can determine whether a person engages in or avoids activity. Recognising your own worth by acknowledging your achievements is really important, rather than downplaying them or attributing success to luck and dismissing your capabilities. Often a simple ‘thank you’ in response to a compliment is a good start to accepting what is evident and has been recognised. Actively quietening the negative self-talk or being proactive and engaging a positive and constructive narrative is something that one can become increasingly proficient in with practice. For some, using affirmations can be powerful; a positive sentence aimed to tap into the conscious and unconscious mind can motivate, challenge and push people to thrive. For others, a more logical and deductive route exists, challenging and rationalising the perceived assumptions. This is not suggesting that individuals should be perfect; far from it. Perfectionism is a utopia that cannot be achieved. Instead, strive for excellence! Goals should be set for stretching and encouraging growth. Mistakes should be allowed and acknowledged. They might just be one of the most beneficial and educational steps taken. Making mistakes and then reflecting on what has happened and why is crucial for development. Lessons learned from reflections should be reinvested into our own advancement. Embracing imperfections can be a powerful antidote to imposter syndrome, and perceiving vulnerability as a strength will lead to a culture of openness. n
Imposter phenomenon – also known as imposter syndrome – is an internal feeling of ‘intellectual phoniness’ often felt in high achievers who are unable to internalise their successful experiences, despite being regarded as competent and successful by others. One of the strongest indicators of imposter phenomenon is the persistent self- doubt around intelligence and ability. Other physical sensations may include feelings of anxiety, heightened stress, discomfort, panic, and persistent worrying. The impact of the phenomenon In some cases, the phenomenon can have a positive effect by motivating a person to work hard. However, the negative impacts are greater and have more serious implications; often associated with anxiety, depression and low self-esteem. In reality, imposter syndrome does not discriminate; it affects many everyday people, across all professions, genders and backgrounds, regardless of how they consider their mental health. Studies across multiple nationalities suggest that the phenomenon is not unique to a particular culture. Striving for happiness through the pursuit of perfection in this way can often lead to heightened feelings and emotions around feeling like a fraud. Nearly 70% of people will experience imposter syndrome at some point in their lives, according to a paper published in 2020 by Jensen and Deemer. Societal expectations and a strive for perfectionism may exacerbate the insecurities, manifesting in a constant critical internal dialogue. A study in 2015 found that many who juggle work and family may suffer from the experience due to the lack of perceived organisational support. Situational factors and work-related demands, such as long hours and work overload can aggravate the emotional journey. This can have detrimental long-term effects for both individuals and organisations, leading to a person experiencing emotional exhaustion, burnout and work-family conflict as they try to juggle the demands from both areas. Many studies have been
Strategies to combat imposter phenomenon 1. Recognise self-worth.
2. Be kinder when speaking about, and to, ourselves. 3. Ask for support from family, friends and bosses. 4. Strive for excellence, not perfection. 5. Embrace imperfections; they are what make us unique and different. 6. Take credit for personal success and achievements and don’t attribute them to luck or external factors. 7. Build a care network with supportive people. 8. Create a culture of openness; discuss imposter syndrome and ways to combat it.
9. Use rationale and logic to dismiss the inaccuracies of any insecurities. 10. Embrace mistakes and use them constructively to learn and grow. 11. Set personal goals for achievement and avoid comparisons to others.
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| Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward |
Issue 103 | September 2024
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