How to tackle the imposter syndrome

NEW DELHI: Do you feel like a fraud? That you don’t belong? That they will soon discover your lie? Such feelings are unusually common even among the best or the most successful. This phenomenon is called the “Imposter Syndrome” and famous people including Neil Armstrong, Tom Hanks and Michelle Obama have suffered from it.


As a professional you will succumb at some point in your career if not for extended periods. Your goal is not to avoid the

imposter syndrome

but to succeed despite it. Begin by recognising it.

Performance anxiety
Children who have not been acknowledged for their abilities or have not been expected to succeed often grow up into overanxious professionals, workaholics and perfectionists. To escape this trap, accept that no one is perfect.

Know that it is ok to feel like an imposter in some situations like when you have just taken on new responsibilities. Practice rewarding yourself when you make progress and accept

performance compliments

from others with a “Thank you”.

Fear of failure
Children who have had high expectations of them and have succeeded early in life may grow up carrying a heavy burden of expectations and may actively avoid situations where they may fail. Geniuses, experts, eldest of siblings and more successful men tend to be in this category. Identify and label your emotions. Then speak with people you trust and share your feelings.

Undue deference
In India, it is not unusual to have education and initial career choices made by elders or even by the peer group. Your imposter syndrome may thus be rooted in a lack of confidence. Since you devalue your own thoughts and instincts, you are unable to trust your team or people around you. Once you recognise this, start separating feelings from facts.

Don’t fight feelings, simply let them pass. Next, accept validation from others. Finally, display confidence in your own decisions till successes make you confident.

Social strategy
Are you using it as a social strategy? This is the fake imposter syndrome where to avoid criticism you indulge in self-deprecation and thus build an exit strategy in preparation for future failure. This arises from self-doubt where you are not sure of your next success.

Before you unknowingly work towards failure, recognise what you are doing. Also, stop comparing yourself with others in order to reduce the pressure of continuous success.

Mask of intelligence
Are you in a profession where you are required to seem intelligent all the time? While you are trying to look smart, you intimidate people, have poor relationships, and a non-existent support system.

Sometimes, you may feel that getting unmasked as an imposter will bring you a lot of relief. Avoid this negative context by getting grounded in a realistic self-assessment of your abilities. Then reduce the pressure to look intelligent by reminding yourself of Henry Ford’s statement: “Failure is only the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently”.

Wrong social group
Do you prefer operating solo or are you stuck in the wrong social group? Being alone or in a poor professional network can cause you to be anxious of minor setbacks and feel like an imposter. You need a constant reality check. Seek support from mentors and refuse to go alone on your journey. Reach out beyond your peer group to reduce needless anxiety and to stay rooted as a professional.

(The writer is founder and CEO at QuezX.com and HeadHonchos.com)