Impostor Syndrome and Its Effects On Women
Written by Francesca Keller Sarmiento, WIN Staff
A 2020 study by KPMG found that 75% of professional women identified having experienced impostor syndrome at various points during their careers. But, what is Impostor syndrome? It’s the idea that you’ve only succeeded due to luck, feeling like a fraud, or doubting your abilities. Symptoms of impostor syndrome include lack of self-confidence, depression, and frustration in the inability to meet self-imposed standards of success. As psychologist Susan Albers explains, “You have this fear that the people around you are going to figure out that you don’t know what you’re talking about and expose you as a fraud.”
The term was coined in 1978 by researchers Pauline Rose Clance and Suzanne Imes. Clance and Imes theorized that only women were affected by impostor phenomenon, stating that men “tend to own success as attributable to a quality inherent in themselves, women are more likely either to project the cause of success outward to an external cause (luck) or to a temporary internal quality (effort) that they do not equate with inherent ability.” Since then, research has shown that impostor syndrome can be experienced by both men and women, and Clance and Imes published a later paper recognizing that everyone (regardless of gender) could be affected by this phenomenon.
Although no one is safe from the wiles of impostor syndrome, a number of societal and cultural norms make it easier for women to fall into its traps. Laura Newinski, KPMG’s U.S. Deputy Chair, and COO, explained that women may experience impostor syndrome more than men due to many factors, chief among them differences in how girls and boys are raised. The survey KPMG conducted found that from childhood, boys are encouraged to lead and demonstrate more self-confidence than girls.
In her book, “The Secret Thoughts of a Successful Woman,” Valerie Young states, “women don’t give themselves enough credit for what they can do. From the twenty-one-year-old senior just coming out of school to the professional who’s been working for ten or twenty years.” The scariest thing about impostor syndrome is it can happen at any time, age and professional status do not matter. In fact, many women feel more isolated and less self-assured the higher they climb the corporate ladder. 56 percent of executive women have feared that those around them will not believe they are as capable as they are expected to be. With fewer women at the top of the corporate ladder, there is not only pressure to be successful to show that the company made the right decision for the position but also for other women to follow.
Certain work environments challenge our sense of self-worth. Sometimes impostor syndrome rears its ugly head for those who do not have personal examples of corporate success, which is especially true for those who are first-generation college students. Signs that you are experiencing impostor syndrome include: self-doubt, attributing success to external factors, sabotaging your own success, or setting unrealistic expectations or goals for yourself. These symptoms are usually accompanied by their ill-favored friend: anxiety.
Navigating your way out of these intrusive impostor syndrome thoughts can be difficult if you’re not sure where to start. But luckily, this self-perpetuating conundrum can be overcome. Pushing back on impostor syndrome can be as simple as reframing your mindset. To better equip you for overcoming these feelings, here are our top three recommendations for dealing with impostor syndrome.
Acknowledge your thoughts. Put these intrusive thoughts into perspective. The next time you have a thought like “They made the wrong decision hiring me, I don’t belong here.” or “I’m letting everyone down”, observe the thought instead of engaging with it. Psychologist Audry Ervin recommends asking yourself, “Does this (that thought) help or hinder me?” Be mindful of these thoughts when they start appearing.
Develop a new script. Reframe your way of thinking. Instead of latching on to the thought, “Wait until they find out I have no idea what I’m doing,” reframe your state of mind. Override that initial negative reaction with “Everyone who starts something new feels off-base in the beginning. I may not have all the answers now, but I am smart enough to figure them out.” Take a moment to see a situation as an opportunity for growth. Growth is uncomfortable. It can make us feel insecure and inadequate. But it’s at these times we can push to stretch ourselves further.
Hire a coach. It’s important to have a support system. If you do not have a leader on your team that can serve as a mentor for you, or perhaps you’re looking to grow in a capacity that those around you cannot address, it might be time to look at hiring a career coach. A professional WIN coach can help you become more self-aware of your strengths and weaknesses and help you learn how to confidently express your thoughts and ideas.
Courage comes from taking risks. It’s important to remember that we can all feel self-conscious or doubtful at times. When you reframe the way you think about yourself, negotiate past the intrusive thoughts, and find the proper mentors to help guide you, you’re allowing yourself the opportunity for your confidence to build. Breaking through impostor syndrome does not happen overnight. And there is always room for improvement.
If you’re interested in learning more about impostor syndrome, how to identify it, and strategies to overcome it, we’re hosting a free workshop on Friday, May 28th. We also invite you to learn more about WIN and our women’s leadership and negotiation initiatives.
