Analysis: Successful, but still feel like a fraud? 70% of us have experienced imposter feelings at some stage of our life
By Hugh Kearns, Flinders University
What do Sheryl Sandberg, Meryl Streep and Gabriel García Márquez have in common? As well as being very successful in their fields, Facebook's chief operating officer, the Academy award winner and the Nobel Prize winner have all felt like frauds or imposters and that they don't have the skills or abilities that other people think they have.
The actor and comedian, Mike Myers, said he keeps waiting for the no-talent police to turn up, Former US first lady Michelle Obama told students in London in 2018 that "I still have a little impostor syndrome, it never goes away, that you're actually listening to me. It doesn't go away, that feeling that you shouldn't take me that seriously."
Many of us are waiting for that tap on the shoulder, for someone to come along and say "we need to have a chat". If you've ever had that feeling, well, that’s the imposter feeling. You’re in good company: lots of people experience it. A study found that about 70% of respondents experienced imposter feelings at some time in their lives, while several other studies have found that about 30% of people consistently feel like an imposter – the imposter syndrome.
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From RTÉ Radio 1's Today With Claire Byrne, Dr Harry Barry GP and Dr. Ann-Marie Creaven from University of Limerick on imposter syndrome
'Imposters' are to be found everywhere. They could be a student worrying if they are clever enough for the exam; a person getting ready for a job interview; a new parent dounting if they are fit to be a parent; someone who has just been promoted to a new challenging job or a sportsperson wondering if they will perform in the big game.
Most people will have imposter feelings from time to time. It’s pretty normal, actually. However, the strange thing about the imposter syndrome is that we have evidence that we are not imposters. We may have qualifications, an impressive track record or previous successes. But we still worry that they don’t count in some way. There’s that small voice niggling away in the back of our brains saying I was lucky the last time or I got lots of help, that’s why it worked out or they were just being nice to me or I’m not the person they think I am.
Beginnings and transitions are a very common time to experience imposter feelings. It might be starting a new job or a new project, beginning study, or learning a new skill when there is a lot to learn. You don’t know everything about the new task. This lack of knowledge can lead to doubts and worries; I’ll come across as stupid. I’ll keep making silly mistakes. I’ll ask really dumb questions. They’ll think I’m an idiot.
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From RTÉ 2fm's Dave Fanning Show, psychologist Allison Keating on imposter syndrome
Being different from the people around you can also lead to feeling like an imposter. This could include if you’re much younger or older than your colleagues, the first person in your family to go to university, if you have a disability, or come from a different background.
So, what can you do about it? Here are some suggestions:
(1) It's normal to sometimes doubt yourself
Realise that most people do, but this doesn’t mean you are an imposter. As American comedian Tina Fey said, "I’ve realized that almost everyone is a fraud, so I try not to feel too bad about it".
(2) Accept that feelings are not facts
Although you might feel like an imposter that does not mean you are an imposter. Many of us assume that if we feel something very strongly then it must be true. It helps to force yourself look at the evidence, the facts. If you are an imposter, then prove it.
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Ó RTÉ's Beo Ar Éigean, Siún, Sinéad agus Áine ag caint faoi coincheap an imposter syndrome
(3) Create a fact file or a brag file
This is a file that contains evidence of what you have achieved: awards; qualifications; feedback. When you are having one of your imposter moments you can dip into this file. This helps challenge some the self-doubts and worries.
(4) Mind your language
When someone gives you a compliment on some achievement, note how you discount it: It was nothing or I was just lucky. The next time just say thank you. No need to qualify or discount – just thank you
(5) Be brave and take action
The self-doubts associated with the imposter feelings and the syndrome can hold you back. At some point, you just have to be brave and jump in.
Although you experience imposter feelings on your own, you’re not on your own. You’re in good company. In fact, you’re in the majority. Bear this in mind the next time you are at a meeting or in a class. Have a good look round at your colleagues. They probably look knowledgeable and confident and without a care in the world. Just like you look to them. But most of them are having imposter feelings - just like you.
Hugh Kearns is a lecturer and researcher on the topic of high performance at Flinders University in Adelaide, South Australia.
The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent or reflect the views of RTÉ
