How to End Imposter Syndrome in Your Workplace?

Imposter Syndrome has dire consequences on both your career and overall mental well-being. At least once in their career, all business professionals suffer from what is widely known as “imposter syndrome”. Imposter Syndrome often stems from comparing yourself with your peers and feeling inadequate. When you suffer from Imposter Syndrome, within your mind, you are holed up by crippling self-doubt and negative thoughts.

To overcome imposter syndrome at the workplace, it is very important to build self-confidence and develop trust in your abilities. The sooner you begin accepting yourself for who you are, the easier it will get. Without imposter syndrome weighing you down, you would be able to lead yourself and your team toward the set goals and celebrate the milestones achieved along the way with more joy.

To help get you there, here are some tips and suggestions through which you can combat imposter syndrome at the workplace and take charge of your career.

Take Control

Imposter Syndrome is closely connected to the belief that you do not have any control over your successes. In order to get rid of Imposter Syndrome, you have to take back control. List your topmost successes and identify which were due to your capabilities and which were because of “luck”. By logically segregating your successes, you would arrive at the conclusion that you have more control. Eventually, you will begin to manage it and regain confidence. You will also begin to see yourself as others see you—a powerful voice who deserves to be in the room. It will also help you stay focused and accomplish more.

Find a Mentor

It is natural to find yourself at some new point in your career where you judge both your capacity and your qualifications for the job. Having a mentor helps greatly in navigating the tricky corners of the labyrinth of career and life. A good mentor can offer strategic insights, encouragement, support, and constructive criticism. When you would fail to counter negative thoughts that imposter syndrome generates, having a mentor would help you realize your potential and strength. A mentor would help you know your true value and get to your rightful place in the world. In the absence of a mentor, you can always ask co-workers or the leadership for input on your performance. This way, you would be able to reaffirm your position and get out of self-defeating beliefs in the workplace.

Set Reasonable Expectations

In order to get rid of your imposter syndrome, you need to start setting reasonable expectations. You also need to give yourself some credit and stop thinking that things such as help, or luck are responsible for your success. You should also stop blaming yourself for your mistakes or failures. Failures are inherent to life, and all of us have to deal with them. At the same time, accept a compliment when it comes your way and try to draw strength and inspiration from it.

Fake It, Till You Make It

It is normal to encounter imposter syndrome, especially when you try to do something new. Therefore, we may often get paralyzed and refuse to act. When something like this happens, it is important to get back into action and do the exact same thing that you fear the most. Start in an environment where you feel safe and take baby steps. Change your story and try to fake it till you make it. If you feel out of place in your position and believe that you would be called out as a “fraud,” it should serve as a sign that you are in a great place. As a writer of your own self-doubt, change your imposter story by authoring a new one, where you assess your successes and renew your confidence every day. 

Focus on What to Give

Our limbic brain follows a simple rule: survival. It controls our flight or fights response when we feel threatened in some manner or are emotionally exposed. You can quiet your limbic brain by concentrating on what you can give in any given situation. Instead of worrying about your inadequacy, try to interrupt the pattern of negative thoughts and focus on what you can give to stay afloat. By directing your actions in a tangible, physical manner, you would be able to disrupt your insecurities with new energy and relish the resulting accomplishments with joy.

Millions of employees worldwide suffer from imposter syndrome. It is natural to feel inadequate occasionally; therefore, stop burdening yourself with feelings of self-doubt. Take ownership of your successes and stop gaslighting yourself with negative thought patterns. You have a power within you that you have not realized yet. It is time to start believing in yourself once again and act like that blue-eyed kid who feels that he is invincible.