Within the realm of personal and professional development, imposter syndrome can sneak in when you least expect it. Self-doubt can be pervasive for any working professional, lurking in the shadows even when you are experiencing achievement or success within your career.
Imposter syndrome was first identified in the late 1970s and is characterized by feelings of inadequacy and a persistent fear of being exposed as a fraud. Imposter syndrome can creep into someone’s professional life despite years of career success and accolades.
Shiela Mie Legaspi, president of virtual assistant company Cyberbacker, has dealt with imposter syndrome herself and helps her employees how to break through feelings of inadequacy to find purpose and passion within their work lives. “Everyone should have an equal opportunity for growth, whether in their personal lives or their professional career,” she says. “I see it as my role to help people grow into their careers and embrace their success.”
Understanding imposter syndrome
Imposter syndrome can often be found in high-achieving individuals, something to which Legaspi can relate. “I started with Cyberbacker as a virtual assistant,” she shares. “In 2018, I was promoted to Director of Operations and became President in 2019. I had persistence, unwillingness to give up, and I surrounded myself with great people.”
Legaspi credits the support of her team and Cyberbacker CEO Craig Goodliffe with helping her take her rightful place as head of the company and lead them to scaling and creating over 3,200 jobs worldwide. However, many people who grapple with imposter syndrome have a hard time not seeing their good fortune or promotions as simple luck, and may attribute their success to external factors instead of their own abilities or perseverance.
Reframing negative thoughts
“To recognize imposter syndrome, you have to know where it comes from,” Legaspi remarks. “You have to challenge those limiting beliefs you have about yourself and learn to tell yourself that you deserve the success you have received.”
Those struggling with imposter syndrome may need to focus on reframing their negative thought patterns. This can be done using cognitive restructuring techniques, or replacing dysfunctional thought patterns with functional thoughts.
For example, when one begins to believe that they have happened upon a high-level position through luck and they will be eventually found out as a fraud, they can replace those thoughts with positive affirmations about their skill and expertise. “Positive self-talk helps people cultivate a growth mindset, instead of creating a reduced effort due to imposter syndrome,” Legaspi explains.
Building self-confidence
Legaspi and her team are very focused on employee happiness and recognizing high-achieving employees for their efforts. “Everyone wants their effort to be recognized, especially by their boss,” she says. “It’s all a part of helping employees build confidence, but the one experiencing the imposter syndrome should also work on building self-confidence.”
According to Legaspi, accomplishments and successes should be genuinely celebrated both at work and at home. Goals and expectations should be realistic, and people should create strategic plans for reaching those goals.
People should also not shy away from constructive feedback and validation from managers. Although receiving feedback can be difficult for someone who is mired in imposter syndrome, acting on that feedback can help people build confidence in their careers.
Be kind to yourself
“Work can be difficult sometimes, so it’s important to practice self-kindness and compassion,” says Legaspi. When one is a high-achiever, it can be easy to be very hard on oneself. A single work mistake can lead someone to feel as if they are going to be fired or that they should not be in the position they are in.
“By embracing a little bit of imperfection and vulnerability at work, you can develop a more supportive inner dialogue that can help them weather stressful situations that would otherwise make them feel like a fraud,” Legaspi adds.
Seek support and connection
“It’s important to build a strong network of mentors and allies,” says Legaspi. “Even as they reach higher levels at their jobs, employees should feel comfortable coming to leaders and mentors with questions, concerns, or direction.”
To this extent, Legaspi mentions it can help to have people with whom you can share experiences and challenges. You may find that others feel the same way you do, and it can be a way to calm your fears that you are out of your depth at work.
Take action and move forward in your career
“If you have strategies in place for tackling imposter syndrome, learning new skills, and moving up in your job, you should implement those strategies consistently,” says Legaspi. “Reflect on your progress, acknowledge setbacks, and continue to grow and evolve beyond imposter syndrome.”
Everyone, at one time or another, may feel like they don’t know what they’re doing, like they don’t deserve a high-level appointment, or that they are an “imposter.” Overcoming this common “affliction” is a journey in self-care, self-discovery, and reaching out for support. By understanding where imposter syndrome comes from, we can challenge those negative thought patterns and liberate ourselves from their grip.
