Have you suffered from the Impostor Syndrome and felt like –
- You’re not as good as your peers at work?
- Your success is just due to a stroke of good luck?
- You are never meeting the expectations of yourself and others?
What is Imposter Syndrome?
Identified by psychologists Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes in 1978, Imposter syndrome is the feeling or belief that you are not as competent as others may perceive you to be, despite consistent success. It is accompanied by the fear of being “discovered” as a fraud, someone who does not deserve the recognition they have gotten.
Did you know that research suggests that young leaders and female employees seem to struggle with impostor syndrome more than their older, male counterparts? As per an article on UK- based HR Magazine, female and younger leaders are more susceptible to imposter syndrome than others. Surveying 300 senior executives from a range of organisations, 54% of women reported experiencing imposter feeling more frequently or to a higher degree, as opposed to only 24% of men. The imposter syndrome has been recognised as a silent career killer for women.
Many workplaces lack adequate representation of women or those from marginalised communities in senior-level positions. This causes many to believe that they were only hired to fulfill a certain “diversity” quota, or that they have genuinely been less worthy of the same success. Stereotypes around women and leadership can seep deep into women’s psyche and convince them that they are not good leaders. It can keep them from demanding the treatment and compensation that they deserve, or taking any new initiatives as they may lack the confidence in their ability to lead and sustain it.
Also read: Is Impostor Syndrome, Or Feeling Like A Fraud, Gendered?
There are several reasons which shape the mental health and self image of female workers. Let’s watch this video to find out how we can combat this syndrome!
