Imposter Syndrome Fallout

Imposter Syndrome can be paralyzing. When plagued by self-doubt, most people choose one of two options – and neither one is good.

Option 1: Stay safe. The dialogue sounds like this: “I can probably keep doing my current job, but I don’t know enough for that new assignment/project/promotion. It’s too much of a risk to try it.”

Option 2: Overwork. “I’ll say yes to everything and find the energy to work long hours to make it all happen. If I say no, they won’t like/respect/promote me.”

While there’s lots of points in between, these options share one thing: You don’t believe your innate talent, ability, and intelligence are sufficient to advance your career.

And this can cause some real problems.

First, stress. You can’t just focus on work – which can be stressful enough! Instead, you’ve got an overarching feeling of tension. You’re waiting to be “found out.” You believe everything you do will be judged, so you triple check to make sure your already proofread report is really perfect. And that, my friend, is a layer of extra anxiety that none of us need.

Extra anxiety and stress can lead to depression. It can cause us to overindulge in cookies and wine. (Make mine Oatmeal Raisin and a buttery Chardonnay, please.) And all that extra double checking and obsessing most likely means fewer trips to the gym and forgotten hot bubble baths – both of which are necessary for ongoing self-care.

And it turns out all that worrying lowers job satisfaction. People with Imposter Syndrome typically report they’re less happy on the job. They’re less positive and supportive colleagues, and not efficient workers. (Imagine how much time you’d have if you weren’t insisting everything you do be absolutely perfect!)

Because we think Imposter Thoughts are a “dirty little secret”, we don’t talk about them much. And that makes us lonely and isolated. It’s hard to get close to co-workers when you’re covertly worried they’re going to find out you’re a fraud.

You’re also less likely to share ideas. People with Imposter Syndrome may not contribute to meetings because they haven’t had sufficient time to research a thought or insight. You and your work group lose the creativity that comes from fully engaged members bouncing ideas off one another synergistically.

Finally, you may ignore new opportunities. Some people with Imposter Syndrome stick to doing what they know. You might believe you need to know how to do everything in a new job before you apply. Some people (I’m in this club) use procrastination to self-sabotage – because if you’ve done something at the last minute, you have an excuse for why it’s not your best work. Then you’re relieved when you’re not asked to do anything like that again.

Have you experienced any of these outcomes of Imposter Syndrome? What has self-doubt kept you from doing professionally? Come to our Facebook group (<link>), share your story, and learn from those of others. I look forward to learning more about you.

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