Imposter Syndrome: 4 Ways to overcome it

Video: The Unstoppable Rise of Corporate Insecurity

I recently stumbled across this video. It is part of a series called "The Future of Work" and it talks about the rise of corporate insecurity. While there are lots of causes of this insecurity, I want to focus on the underlying cause:

Impostor syndrome

Imposter syndrome is a term used to describe the feeling that you're not good enough at your job or in your field. It's common among high achievers, but it can also affect people who have just started their careers. The good news is that there are ways to overcome imposter syndrome—and they don't involve seeking therapy! Here are 4 simple steps you can take right now:

What is imposter syndrome?

In a simple definition, imposter syndrome is the feeling that you don’t deserve your accomplishments and that you’re not good enough for them. But what does this look like in practice? According to Harvard Business Review, it can be difficult for women to accept their success because they may have internalized negative feedback from other people. They may feel as though they’re not smart enough or talented enough, even if they know these feelings aren't accurate or reasonable. This can cause stress levels at work and in personal relationships because people with imposter syndrome don't always know how to handle praise or success well—and they often struggle with self-doubt when others give them positive feedback about their work.

Symptoms of imposter syndrome

Impostor Syndrome is a feeling of anxiety about your competence, believing that you're not good enough to be where you are. It's a common feeling among many people, including those who have achieved success in their careers or fields of study. The symptoms of impostor syndrome include:

• Fear of being discovered as a fraud - You might worry that others will find out about the mistakes you've made and think less of you for them (even if they don't).
• Feeling like you have to hide your mistakes from others - You may feel embarrassed or ashamed because they're so obvious to everyone else but not yourself.
• Being afraid to ask questions - This can lead people who suffer from this condition into situations where they feel like they're at risk for embarrassment because no one else knows how things work either!

How to overcome imposter syndrome – 4 steps

1. The first step to overcoming imposter syndrome is acknowledging that you have it. You may be in denial, or simply unaware of your own feelings of inadequacy and uncertainty.

2. The second step is understanding why you are experiencing imposter syndrome. What triggers it? How can you avoid triggering it? Will talking with others help or hurt the situation? What would happen if someone else had these issues, like a friend or family member?

3. Once an individual knows what causes their impostor syndrome episode and how best to handle themself during those episodes, they can take steps toward recovery from this disorder. This includes being honest about accomplishments rather than hiding them under a layer of humility – even if those accomplishments have nothing to do with work-related duties! It also means focusing on positive thoughts rather than negative ones when facing challenges or setbacks (i.e., “I did great job XYZ today!” vs “I suck at XYZ”)

4. The final step is to try and understand why you feel the way you do about yourself. What are your triggers? Is there anything that can be done to avoid these triggers in the future? Or, if not avoided, how can they be managed better once they occur?

Reality check

If you’re experiencing imposter syndrome, it can be helpful to talk to someone you trust and ask for feedback. You may also want to read about other people's experiences with imposter syndrome so that you can see how others have dealt with it in similar situations.

It's important not only for those who are struggling with imposter syndrome but also for those who don't experience it at all but still want to help their colleagues feel more confident when speaking up or asking questions during meetings or presentations.

Imposter syndrome can have negative effects on your work and personal life. Knowing the signs and understanding how to overcome it can make all the difference.

Imposter syndrome is a psychological phenomenon where someone doubts their accomplishments and has a persistent fear of being exposed as a fraud. It's one of the most common mental health issues faced by women, according to research from Harvard Business School professor Amy Edmondson, who found that about 1 in 5 women experience this condition at some point in their careers.

The feeling of being inadequate or incompetent may occur when you're asked for feedback or input on projects or assignments; this could happen even when others don't believe your skills are lacking at all! If you feel like there's something wrong with what you've done—even if everyone else seems happy with it—it could be related to impostor syndrome (and not just because they're jealous).

Conclusion

The most important thing is to recognize that imposter syndrome is a real phenomenon. It can have negative effects on your work and personal life, so it’s important to understand that this feeling isn't just in your head. You may also want to talk about how you're feeling with someone who can give you guidance on how best to cope with the situation.