Causes of, and Cures for, Imposter Syndrome

Imposter syndrome usually happens when intrusive thoughts become pervasive. They might start as rhetorical questions – “how did I get put into this position?” – but eventually become self-degrading statements – “I shouldn’t be trusted for this.” And when it gets to that point, it becomes especially hard to dig yourself out of that belief.

Imposter syndrome means that one begins to doubt their skills and accomplishments and internalizes a fear of being discovered as a “fraud.” No matter how false that belief might be, it becomes ingrained and can be debilitating when it comes to finding continued success. These aren’t fleeting feelings of self-doubt – which can actually be motivating if harnessed correctly – but rather a persistent mindset that, even though the person has accomplished a lot, they still don’t feel that they’re good enough.

What Causes Imposter Syndrome?

Sometimes, imposter syndrome can happen because the person sets extraordinarily high expectations for themselves, or has already achieved much in their career. However, most causes are outside of the person’s control. It can be social:

• A workplace where the employee is considered a minority – be it because of race, gender, sexuality, or any other reason – can lead that employee to question their abilities. Statistically, these people are questioned about their accomplishments at a higher rate. So, even if their abilities aren’t being questioned by others, that person might still feel like other people are doubtful of them.
• Gen Z and younger millennial workers have grown up with higher expectations and much more prevalent social comparison. These things can contribute to anxiety and insecurity, which greatly influences imposter syndrome.
• Social media can cause imposter syndrome as well. Social media just makes the aforementioned social comparison easier, and if we see someone “living the dream,” we can wonder why we haven’t attained the same status.

Or even related to the business environment:

• Workplace volatility, such as turnover or even promotions. New or constantly changing job responsibilities can make a person question whether they’re qualified to handle it.
• Workplace culture can trigger imposter syndrome as well. For example, if an introvert works with a lot of extroverted people. If those people don’t see enthusiasm or confidence, they might assume that the introvert doesn’t know what they’re doing. Even though their assumptions are incorrect, it can still make that person question whether everyone else is right.

Regardless of the cause, learning how to address these feelings – and not just trying to ignore them – is crucial. If ignored, they can limit job performance and career satisfaction, and even cause job burnout.
 

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How Can I Combat Imposter Syndrome?

This isn’t an exhaustive list, but there are many things you can do to combat feelings of imposter syndrome when they arise.

• Remind yourself of your successes. What education have you earned? What work have you accomplished? Whether big or small, each success builds upon itself. Remind yourself of all the hard work you’ve put forth.
• Be proud. Don’t be afraid to celebrate your wins or embrace compliments from others. Downplaying your accomplishments or self-deprecation can manifest into self-doubt.
• Ask for, and accept, help. Doubt and constructive criticism aren’t the same thing. If someone offers you feedback, try to remember they genuinely want to help. And asking for help is okay too. Not knowing something isn’t a sign of weakness.

Nothing will completely change overnight, but if you can make it a part of your routine to practice self-confidence, you can hopefully get to a point where you won’t have to remind yourself of your qualifications and capabilities.