Unmasking the Imposter: How to Navigate Imposter Syndrome | By Kadijatu Conteh

Last month, I had the opportunity to attend a webinar on Imposter Syndrome as part of Apprentice Week. This is something I’ve been struggling with a lot since I started working at the office so the session proved to be useful, The turnout rate was surprisingly high, with individuals from different departments across the company, all of whom shared their experiences with imposter syndrome, which only goes to show how common this issue is. including myself. Reflecting on the insights and discussions from that webinar is what has inspired me to delve deeper into the topic.

What is Imposter Syndrome?
Imposter Syndrome is a phenomenon characterised by feelings of being a fraud, coupled with persistent self-doubt regarding one's achievements and abilities. Paradoxically, this is very prevalent amongst high achievers and people in high positions of power who excel in their fields. These individuals believe themselves to be incompetent and not good enough despite the tangible evidence to suggest otherwise. 

Imposter syndrome is very common with 70% of the general population experiencing it at some point. There doesn't seem to be a clear gender disparity in the prevalence of Imposter Syndrome; rather, it manifests differently based on gender norms and societal expectations. For instance, women often grapple with Imposter Syndrome in relation to performance, feeling constant pressure to prove themselves in the workplace. This pressure can lead them to believe that they must consistently outperform their peers to validate their skills and contributions. On the other hand, men may experience Imposter Syndrome stemming from a fear of failure or not meeting expectations. The fear of falling short of perceived standards can create a sense of inadequacy.

Do you have Imposter Syndrome?
If you experience any of the following, you might be dealing with imposter syndrome:

• Doubt your abilities and feel like you don't measure up
• Brush off your achievements as mere luck or outside help, rather than acknowledging your hard work 
• Hold yourself to impossibly high standards, striving for perfection in everything you do
• Push yourself to go above and beyond, even when it's not sustainable (which can lead to burnout)
• Undermine your success, fearing that you'll be exposed as a fraud
• Live in a state of perpetual anxiety, worried that you'll never be good enough

The 5 Types of Imposter Syndrome

The Perfectionist: These individuals feel like they need to do everything perfectly and believe that anything less than perfection equates to failure. This constant pursuit of perfection can hold them back a lot, especially in the workplace. This is one that I personally struggle with a lot.
The Natural Genius: Those who identify with this type expect themselves to grasp new concepts on the first try. So when they’re faced with challenges or setbacks, they interpret them as evidence of inherent inadequacy rather than as normal aspects of the learning process.
The Soloist: Those who identify with this type believe they must achieve success entirely on their own, without seeking support or assistance from others, otherwise it doesn’t count. This self-reliant mindset can lead them to burnout trying to meet the unrealistic expectations they’ve set for themselves
The Expert: Those who identify with this type feel like they must possess comprehensive knowledge and expertise in their field. Any gaps in their understanding are perceived as proof of their incompetence which fuels the feeling of being a fraud.
The Superhero: Those who identify with this type feel the need to always outperform their peers and achieve superhuman levels of success, in every aspect of their lives. These individuals put a lot of pressure on themselves to perform exceptionally well, and believe that they have to always go above and beyond what is expected of them to prove their worth and competence, which can often lead to burnout.

How to overcome it?
How you go about overcoming imposter syndrome depends on the type of imposter(s) you struggle with. 

• To overcome the Perfectionist imposter, you need to accept that "good enough" is good enough and that perfection is an illusion. Allow yourself to make mistakes and see them as part of the learning process. Learn to have self-compassion when you do make mistakes because we all make mistakes. It’s also good to set yourself realistic goals and focus on progress instead of perfection.
• To overcome the Natural Genius imposter, you need to understand that becoming good at anything takes a lot of time, practice and effort. No matter how much of a natural talent you are, you’re not going to master anything without putting in a lot of practice. You need to learn to embrace the learning process including setbacks that arise as this will allow you to grow. 
• To overcome the Soloist imposter, you need to learn that it’s okay to ask for help from others. There’s no shame in recognising that you don’t know something and asking someone who knows more. It’s okay to seek out support when you need it.
• To overcome the Expert imposter, you need to understand and accept that nobody knows everything, especially in this fast-paced world where everything is constantly changing. You’re not going to know everything but you also don’t need to. Allow yourself to learn from others because there will always be people who know more. 
• To overcome the Superhero imposter, you need to learn to set healthy boundaries both in your personal and professional life. Delegate tasks where possible and seek support to prevent burnout and cultivate a more balanced approach to work and life.

Imposter syndrome is a very tricky issue to navigate and can become very detrimental to our growth (physically and professionally). It can significantly impact our mental health and overall well-being if not addressed. This is why it’s important to actively challenge self-doubt to bridge the gap between perceived abilities and the reality.

Kadijatu is a Software Engineering apprentice at Multiverse based in Bristol, UK, and is writing for The Apprentice Lens. Here's more about her:
Hi, I'm Kadija. I'm a Software Engineer Apprentice. I’m inspired to write for the Apprentice Lens by my desire to connect with other apprentices and fellow professionals through my writing. I hope to develop my writing skills, overcome my fear of sharing my writing with others and improve my confidence.