If yes, the chances are that you are dealing with what is termed as “imposter syndrome”.
Career-Boosting Courses for Early-Stage Professionals
| Offering College | Course | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Indian School of Business | ISB Professional Certificate in Product Management | Visit |
| IIT Delhi | IITD Certificate Programme in Data Science & Machine Learning | Visit |
| IIM Lucknow | IIML Executive Programme in FinTech, Banking & Applied Risk Management | Visit |
This is especially true for early career professionals. Despite gaining genuine success, imposter syndrome might make them feel unworthy of their achievements. Over a period of time, this hinders their progress and impacts their efficiency by continuously causing stress. However, when recognised and addressed timely, individuals can easily overcome this situation and regain their confidence.
Imposter syndrome: What is it and why is it common among early career professionals?
Lalitha M Shetty, Vice President-Human Resources, Omega Healthcare — a provider of technology-enabled RCM, real-world data, pharma access, and payer risk solutions — defines imposter syndrome as a psychological pattern characterised by people doubting their achievements and having a recurring, frequently internalised fear of being discovered as a fraud or inadequate.
While elaborating on its prevalence among those who have just embarked on their career journey, she says as a result of moving from academics to the workforce, they are under a lot of pressure to succeed. Their inexperience results in a considerable lack of confidence compared to their more seasoned colleagues. And this further makes them feel inadequate and they constantly fear that their incompetence will be exposed, she adds.
Pallavi Jha, MD and Chairperson, Walchand PeopleFirst Limited and Dale Carnegie Training India, a workforce solutions provider, expresses a similar opinion: “Impostor syndrome refers to a psychological phenomenon experienced by high-achieving individuals who struggle to internalise their accomplishments despite evident success.”She points out that renowned figures like Michelle Obama and Sheryl Sandberg have openly discussed grappling with these feelings and attributing their success more to luck or oversight than their own abilities.Like Shetty, she also says that while transitioning from academic settings to professional environments, freshers usually confront a misalignment between their own idealised perceptions of their chosen profession and the realities of daily practices. In addition, these discrepancies over a period of time fuel feelings of inadequacy and fraudulence.
A glimpse at the signs and the immediate need to address them
Imposter syndrome can manifest in many forms, says Shetty, hence, it’s crucial that its typical signs and symptoms are noticed and addressed at the workplace. Persistent self-doubt in the face of obvious success, fear of failing, turning in work that is less than perfect, and a constant comparison to others which results in underestimating one’s own abilities in the process are some of the common indicators, according to her.
Talking about the urgency to address this, she says an untreated case of imposter syndrome can have a serious negative effect on a person’s mental health and well-being, raising stress levels, causing burnout and decreasing job satisfaction.
Jha says attributing successes to external factors such as luck or assistance from others while internalising setbacks as evidence of personal incompetence and failure is a prominent sign of this syndrome. She further emphasises that other than individual psychology, contextual factors contribute to shaping individuals’ perceptions of themselves.
Social factors like gender and ethnicity often influence career opportunities, representation and compensation. “Minority groups often encounter institutional barriers that exacerbate feelings of ‘impostorism’, as they may lack representation, face discrimination, and receive less recognition for their contributions,” she adds.
Strategies to overcome this situation and improve efficiency
Overcoming imposter syndrome can be challenging and might demand consistent time and effort. However, with a few effective strategies in place, one can undoubtedly deal with its effects and experience growth and success on the professional front.
Firstly, Shetty suggests seeking seasoned coworkers or business veterans for mentorship as mentors can help individuals overcome obstacles and boost their self-confidence by reassuring them, sharing their own experiences, and giving constructive criticism. Next, to combat feelings of inadequacy and move toward your goals, she advises dividing difficult tasks into manageable steps and celebrating advancements, no matter how small, along the way.
Another highly beneficial strategy recommended by her is to invest in professional development as over time, it can instil a sense of competence and self-assurance. This can be achieved through workshops, online courses, or networking events.
Jha says cultivating a growth mindset allows individuals to perceive challenges as learning opportunities and fosters personal development. Also, it’s equally important to recognise the validity of praise from organisations and leaders, typically rooted in genuine merit. This sense of acknowledgment serves as a vital reality check for those struggling with impostor syndrome, affirming the authenticity of their accomplishments. Moreover, it’s necessary to not discount recognition from colleagues, supervisors, or the organisation as a whole, she adds.