Imposter syndrome is “a psychological phenomenon where someone persistently feels like a fraud, disbelieves in the legitimacy of their own success and has a fear of being exposed…characterized by increasing levels of self-doubt and negative self-perception,” according to the Cleveland Clinic.
The name is misleading because imposter syndrome is not a formal medical diagnosis, experts say. It’s more accurate to think of it as a manifestation of anxiety, although the reality is a bit more complicated than that.
In any case, imposter syndrome is incredibly common.
A meta-analysis of 62 large-sample scientific studies found that up to 82% of people suffer from some form of imposter syndrome. In other words, the inadequacy you feel at work and in your social life is not at all unusual. It’s the norm.
The knowledge that your imposter syndrome puts you in good company might not be all that comforting. No one likes feeling “less than” or that they’re not in full control of their lives.
Fortunately, there’s some reassurance to be found in the strategies others have employed — successfully — to get over their own bouts of self-doubt.
Don’t Be Afraid to Admit You Don’t Know the Answer
It’s scary, sure, but good things can happen when you admit you don’t know something — and then ask the next question.
That’s what Internet entrepreneur Sky Dayton did back in the early 1990s.
“I heard about this thing called the Internet. I thought, that sounds kind of interesting. The first thing I did is I actually picked up the phone and dialed 411, and I said, I’d like the number for the Internet, please,” he recalls. “And the operator is like, ‘What?’ I said, just search any company with the word Internet in the name. Blank. Nothing. I thought, Wow, this is interesting. What is this thing anyway?”
Spoiler alert: Dayton went on to build EarthLink, an early and wildly popular Internet service provider that helped millions of Americans get online. That earnest question paved the way.
Remind Yourself That No One Else Has All the Answers Either
When Dayton asked his question, few others could answer it. There’s a lesson here: You may know more than you realize, or conversely, others may know less than you realize.
That should be reassuring on a personal level. You’re not at such a great disadvantage as you presume. Your knowledge, skill and expertise are valuable, perhaps uniquely so.
Seek Feedback and Reinforcement From Peers and Loved Ones
We all need some amount of encouragement. Some more than others. At the same time, being told only what you want to hear is no way to overcome your imposter syndrome. If anything, it could entrench it.
So seek feedback from people you know will be honest with you: your spouse, close friends, trusted confidantes at work. Ask what you can do to improve and expect honest answers in return. Then — most important — put that advice into practice.
Take On More Responsibility (Slowly But Surely)
Breaking out of your professional comfort zone can help you grow into your capabilities. One fairly obvious way to do this is to ask for more responsibility at work — but beware of asking for too much all at once, says leadership expert Heather MacArthur.
“It’s folly to assume others will pitch you new responsibilities if you’re dropping the ball in your current role,” MacArthur says.
Work your way up slowly but surely, mastering new responsibilities as you go. You’ll gain confidence and demonstrate your ability — your “non-imposterness” — in the process.
Set Realistic, Timely Goals
Shooting for the moon usually doesn’t land you among the stars. That is to say, unrealistic personal goals serve no one, least of all the one setting them.
To start, set your sights a bit lower. Set realistic, achievable and short-term goals. Work toward them. If and when you reach them, set your sights a bit higher. Rinse and repeat. Call it the “rise and grind” approach to overcoming imposter syndrome.
Final Thoughts
You don’t have all the answers. True — but no one else does either.
It’s all too easy to feel overlooked or even invisible in a large organization, and even within a small team. Yes — but you can always ask for more responsibility.
Pursuing long-range goals can feel so overwhelming that giving up seems like the only reasonable choice. Sure — but anyone can set more reasonable, easily achieved goals. Even you.
Like any state of mind, imposter syndrome is multifaceted. You can’t just “flip a switch” and get over it. Reaching a more productive, less anxious mindset takes time, not to mention a whole lot of introspection.
It’s possible, though. Just ask those who’ve done it. When you join them, don’t forget to repay the favor.
Founder Dinis Guarda
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