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When will everyone discover that I'm a fraud?

Published over 1 year ago • 2 min read

When I first started teaching at the university, and later worked as a consultant, I would sometimes pause and ask myself: ‘When will I be found out? When will everyone finally see me for what I am - a fraud?’

Now to set the record straight, this was at a time when I had all the qualifications I needed to demonstrate that I was the man for the job. Yet sometimes, when I stood in class facing my students, I could not help but wonder: ‘When will they catch on to who I really am? When will they discover that I’m not competent enough?’

Similar thoughts would also creep up when I sat in large conference rooms or boardrooms with clients. I would sometimes think: ‘Who’s going to stand up any minute now, point their finger at me and shout: “He’s the imposter! Throw him out”.’

These scenarios constitute a typical case of what is known as Imposter Syndrome or Phenomenon which is defined as a psychological state in which a person doubts her or his talents, skills, or accomplishments and experiences an ongoing fear of being exposed as a phony or fraud.

Such fears were frequent when I first started my career as an academic and a consultant. Today, they sometimes revisit me when I experience challenge at work. However, I've managed to develop a few tricks over the years to mitigate their effect on my motivation and performance.

If you are starting a new degree, profession, or position and are experiencing similar thoughts or feelings, here are 3 tips to help you manage Imposter Syndrome and use it to your advantage:

Tip 1 – Remember that it's very common: I was quite surprised when I discovered that around 75% of people experience imposter syndrome. In fact, the American Psychological Association prefers to call it a phenomenon and not a syndrome because of how common it is among people. So knowing that you are not alone and in fact share these thoughts and feelings with 3 out of 4 people around you is a really comforting and empowering thought.

Tip 2 – Say yes to opportunities: people who experience imposter phenomenon may feel reluctant to take risks, whether in professional or personal settings. This is due to the belief that risk-taking may expose their ‘incompetence’. But less risk-taking means fewer opportunities for growth and learning. So, when faced with a new challenge or endeavor that promises to push you beyond your comfort zone, try saying YES! Remember, failure is not an exposure. Free yourself of the role of 'know it all', let go of perfectionism, don’t take yourself too seriously, and enjoy the learning that comes with new experience.

Tip 3 – Celebrate your success: both women and men experience imposter phenomenon, although it is more prevalent among women. Studies have shown that many high achieving women experience it. This could be the result of the extra pressure women undergo to prove themselves in the workplace. When asked about their success, some high-achieving women often attribute their accomplishments to luck or to the notion that people over-overestimated their ability. To combat imposter feelings, remember to take a step back every now and then, look at the big picture, take stock of your accomplishments, and celebrate your achievements.

So today, whenever I step out of my corridor and into a classroom, conference room, or boardroom, I remind myself that:

1. Probably 3 out of every 4 people in there are pretty much unsure about themselves, just like me!

2. If I mess up or make mistakes, this doesn’t mean I have been found out or exposed. I don’t know everything! And the only way for me to continue to learn and grow is to take small risks and embrace the surprises and opportunities that come along.

3. I have done well so far in my life. Luck may have played a partial role, but I also need to recognize and acknowledge the hard work I have invested to get to where I am today.

Here's a final thought. Between feeling like an imposter on the one hand, and playing by the motto 'fake it until you make it' on the other, there is a fine corridor in which you can take small risks, embrace mistakes, learn from experience, and grow into the next better version of yourself.

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Grapple.life

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