July 22, 2024
Imposter Syndrome and
The Power of Vulnerability
Have you ever been stressed about getting found out?
Do you worry that others might find out about the “real” you? Are you waiting for everyone to suddenly realize you might not be good enough to handle that new job, manage that big project, or be successful in your new role?
If these scenarios seem relatable, you are not alone.
The situation that you are experiencing is called Imposter Syndrome and is much more common than most people realize.
A recent study in the International Journal of Behavioral Science found that 70% of people will experience imposter syndrome at some point in their careers. The statistics are even higher for women, finding that we experience imposter syndrome 2.3 times more often than men.
On my journey, I have experienced imposter syndrome several times over the years. One such example is when I graduated from medical school and started my internship year caring for patients in the hospital. Even though I had been handed a diploma, that didn’t mean I felt my skills were good enough to care for sick patients. Yet there I was, working as a “real” doctor.
And I was.
Since beginning my doctorate studies, I had gained the knowledge, skills, competence, and a diploma to prove it. I just didn’t recognize my abilities right away.
The same type of self-doubt, anxiety, and negative self-talk also crept back into my life when I became a leader and manager. “What if they find out about the real me?” I asked myself.
“Would I be successful to make it in the new job? Did I have the right skills?”
Obviously, someone had thought so, or I would not have been trusted with all the new responsibilities and a leadership role. I just had to figure out what they already knew and where I needed to learn and grow.
So, what exactly is imposter syndrome?
Imposter syndrome occurs when a person feels like a fraud, either intellectually or professionally. We often consider it a sign of weakness and something to overcome. It manifests as feelings of not being confident, good enough, or competent enough.
But can imposter syndrome be helpful for becoming a better leader?
Dr. Basima Tewfik of the MIT Sloan School of Management believes it is. According to her research, featured in the Academy of Management Journal, imposter syndrome does not have to be a bad thing. It can cause others to perceive you as having better interpersonal skills and as a more effective person.
Imposter syndrome cultivates inner vulnerability, and people with it tend to focus on relationships while being more human-centered as leaders. This can enhance collaboration and cooperation in the workplace. By being vulnerable, we can develop better self-awareness, which is a very important leadership skill.
The fact is that imposter syndrome and vulnerability can make you a better leader as long as you can use them as tools for growth.
Take a moment to quiet the negative self-talk in your head and squelch those self-doubts by reflecting on all your accomplishments, hard work, ambitions, and drive it took for you to get where you are today.
Remember that someone can see your skills, knowledge, and talents. That is why you have that new role, big project, or higher level of responsibility. You just need to recognize it for yourself.
Be comfortable with being vulnerable, and stay open to opportunities to grow further and develop while having a willingness to challenge yourself.
Remember, leadership, like life, is a journey. To reach your highest potential, it’s vital to always keep learning and growing.
Stop trying to be perfect, over-preparing, or procrastinating to deal with imposter syndrome. Change your perspective and cultivate vulnerability and a growth mindset. This will lead to better self-awareness, empathy, and higher levels of trust in your team.
Today, begin to rethink your response to imposter syndrome and embrace the power of vulnerability.
Love and Light,
Jackie
Want to learn more about how you can leverage imposter syndrome and unleash the power of vulnerability? Schedule a free 15-minute consult with Dr Jackie Cawley on our website, www.deleaninstitute.com.
Sources:
Demirtas, Fulya, “The Vulnerability, Imposter Syndrome Through a UX Designer Lens,” July 14, 2023, www.bootcamp.uxdesign.com
Brown, Brene, “Daring Greatly,” April 2015, Avery
Christianson, Leah, Kwok, Navio, McShane, Margot, Pye, Hetty, “We Should All Have Imposter Syndrome,” May 20, 2024, Russell Reynolds, www.russellreynolds.com/en/insights
Friedman, Alexandra, “Overcoming Imposter Syndrome As an Emerging Leader,” Forbes, September 3, 2020, www.forbes.com/sites/forbescouchcouncil
