Advice on avoiding imposter syndrome

Barrie Sample, personal and team development trainer at the PCC, shares his ideas on minimising imposter syndrome

‘Imposter syndrome’ refers to someone’s belief that they attained a prestigious position and employment not because of their abilities, but rather as a result of an error, or a fortuitous break. According to a 2019 HRnews survey, 85% of employees in the UK feel inadequate despite having at least three years of experience.

I recently joined the PCC and, as I was observing sessions and listening to delegates in my first few weeks, I noticed a familiar theme. People often question their skills for the jobs they’re already doing – and they were often more doubtful at times of personal or organisational stress.

Here are some ideas to help you minimise some of these intrusive thoughts.

• Accentuate the positive – we all enjoy success in our personal and professional lives. Make a note of all your accomplishments, no matter how small, and think about what’s gone well and share those successes with the people around you.

• Talk to others – emotions related to imposter syndrome are common at work. Be aware that you are not alone, and try sharing your feelings with your colleagues. (A problem shared is a problem halved.)

• Separate feelings from facts – you’ll occasionally feel foolish – we all do occasionally – but recognising thatfeeling doesn’t necessarily mean you are foolish.

• Develop a new script – when you are in a circumstance that makes you feel like an imposter, become conscious of your inner dialogue. This is your internal script. Instead of thinking, ‘Wait until they find out I have no idea what I’m doing’, remember that everyone who starts something new feels off-base in the beginning. You may not know all the answers, but you’re intelligent enough to find them.

• Visualise success – follow the lead of elite athletes. Spend some time in advance of a presentation or meeting visualising yourself delivering a persuasive speech or politely asking a question. It will reducethe tension associated with performance and is always preferable to visualising an imminent catastrophe!

Remember that everything requires time, especially changing mind patterns and habits, and these methods will become more natural the more you practice. If you would like more detail to combat imposter syndrome, why not attend a workshop. This is just one of the workshops we offer https://www.pccevents.co.uk/calendar.