How You Can Overcome Imposter Syndrome with Confidence
What is imposter syndrome?
Imposter syndrome is when you feel that you did not arrive to your accomplishments by your own merit. You feel that you are an “imposter” about the knowledge, talent or skills others perceive you to have. Alternatively, you may also feel you do not have the appropriate knowledge, talent, or skills to begin with and your accomplishments were “given” to you based on someone that may have felt sorry for you, elevated you for their own agenda, or believed in you in hope that you would arise to the occasion, if only given the opportunity. The onset of this feeling is often rooted in comparing one’s knowledge, talent, and skills one perceives to be inferior to one’s peers, often of a predominant social group. For example, Black or Latinx students may experience imposture syndrome in predominantly White education environments. This may also impact women in predominantly male environments. Furthermore, professionals from low-income backgrounds may feel imposture syndrome in environments amongst peers from higher socioeconomic status.
How does this impact professionals of color personally?
Though imposture syndrome may impact any number of identities, I found this experience to be quite prevalent among professionals of color, who often have well more than one other minority identity within a work environment, including gender, age, and socioeconomic status that would intensify the affects of imposter syndrome. I personally began to feel the weight of imposture syndrome when I arrived to my first leadership position in the workplace. Although I worked very hard to arrive at my “dream job”, I felt less competence to achieve the level of performance of my predominantly White and more established peers.
Imposter syndrome can cause a number of psychological concerns that impact one’s ability to perform one’s best in the workplace. The root sentiment arises from the pressure you now feel that you have to uphold a standard of performance that is not innate to your character, which could be found out at any moment, and thus not only compromise future opportunities, but loss of what you have already achieved. This pressure leads to additional stress, anxiety, or lack of motivation to meet expectations. These feelings can be exasperated by the number of communities of which you identify. For example, women of color in predominantly White male fields may have double the impact of imposture syndrome, as mentioned above.
How would this hinder your professional development?
You may feel too tired or exhausted to take on additional tasks, assignments, or other opportunities that would enhance your professional development
You may feel someone else is more deserving of the opportunities that someone offers you, and thus refer those opportunities to someone else
You may not put your maximum effort into your work, because you feel your effort will not be recognized or appreciated as compared to someone else
You may feel resentful, envious, or distrustful toward others in positions to support you, so you become isolated or otherwise block opportunities you would receive from other people
You will not pursue new or exciting opportunities at all, because you believe you could not possibly “win” or achieve that opportunity, this time. You feel your season of luck or pity is over
How does confidence beat talent, skills, and knowledge?
Confidence trumps knowledge, talent, and skills when it comes to professional opportunities. A confident person doesn’t necessarily feel that he or she has to have every requirement to complete a specific task, but the belief in oneself inspires one to do what is necessary to acquire it. This means opportunities are “made” not “given”, which then further increases one’s self-esteem. The combination of attitude and effort mean that great opportunities present themselves as a continuous cycle, independent of one’s initial knowledge, talent, or skill. Over time, the person places themselves at a consistent professional advantage, opening economic, social, and even cultural benefits. For example, I read a source that men often earn more money, because they negotiate for more money based on their higher level of confidence to be able to receive the amount of money they ask for, if not very close to it. Men will also apply for positions that earn them more money, because they do not feel they need to meet as many of the qualifications. While men will apply for a job if they feel they meet 40% of the requirements, women will often only apply if they meet 90% of the qualifications. These behaviors over time increase male earning potential in addition to systemic bias which contribute to the gender wage gap.
How can professionals and students of color grow or tap into their confidence to counteract the negative consequences of imposter syndrome?
Foster Your Faith –
Understand that regardless of how you arrived to this position, whether by your own merit or given to you by a person in power, that you arrived to that place for a reason. Your purpose has you in this place at this time for a specific purpose. As a result, your purpose in faith has something for you to contribute. Have faith in the good of what is happening to you at this point in your life.
Focus on the Gift –
Shift your focus from how you got to the position to what your knowledge, talent, and gifts are in their current form. They do not have to be perfect, but any background or perspective you bring unique to that environment are your important contributions to that space. Find a mentor that can help you strategize how to hone those gifts inside or outside the environment.
Fix Your Pace –
Realize that you do not have to take on everything all at one time. Your colleagues or classmates may have had different social advantages that afforded them the resources they contribute. They also may have been in the space long enough to know and experiment for themselves what their gifts offer to the workplace or classroom. Give yourself the time and patience to figure out your own process, and then take on additional projects or opportunities that fit you.
Find Your Support –
Stay alert to the people who with time will prove to be your biggest cheerleaders, confidants, and advocates. Resist the urge to be suspicious or skeptical. Give people the benefit of the doubt. Take your time in getting to know others, but do not put up impenetrable walls. Build your boundaries with Legos instead of cement and stone. You need affirmation from caring others to grow.
Familiarize Yourself with the New –
Take advantage of different opportunities for you to learn or improve skills and meet new people. If a project seems interesting to you, then offer to support or volunteer to take on the task. If an event seems interesting to you, then sign-up or request to attend. Accept when someone suggests you should apply for an opportunity. Comfort will only keep you stuck.
True confidence is developed over time. The suggestions mentioned above will help you to gradually build the confidence to get the most of your work or educational experience. Next thing you know, you will feel prepared to take on all the great opportunities destined for a glorious future. It’s your time to shine!