Sarah Louden, MHA, MBA, Founder and CEO of Total Health.
“Where is your boss?” a doctor asked me.
“It’s me; I’m the director,” I responded.
“Yeah, but who is your boss, like the CEO or owner?” he continued, in seeming bewilderment.
“It’s me,” I answered, drawing on all the patience I could muster.
I remember this conversation clearly. I was at a conference my company held, and a male doctor had an issue with the Black woman speaker we had set to present, saying we should “pay more attention to people’s accents” because he couldn’t “understand anything this woman said.”
The speaker’s accent was quite understandable, both to me and those around me, and, even more importantly, she was incredibly brilliant.
The doctor was visibly upset that I was the owner and director and continued to attempt to berate me, as he did our speaker: “You’re not even an MD. You don’t even work at an academic institution. You don’t look old enough to own anything. Who supports this financially?”
I just calmly answered, trying to put service over ego and maintain my own integrity.
The Modern Understanding Of Imposter Syndrome
While I don’t doubt myself, there have been times, such as the one above, over the years when I wondered if I was somehow passing myself off as someone I am not. Who gave me permission to lead?
Impostor syndrome can manifest in self-doubt, insecurity and a persistent feeling of inadequacy, and it can overshadow our accomplishments and abilities. It brings with it an intense fear of failure that can tend to stand in our way or lead to self-sabotage.
But when your confidence prevails, you stop your mind from wandering and comparing and let go of the idea of perfectionism, the finish line becomes clear, as does the path to getting there.
So, what exactly is “imposter syndrome” to begin with?
Psychologists Pauline Rose Clance, PhD, and Suzanne Imes, PhD, identified imposter syndrome in a breakthrough 1978 study which they, at the time, referred to as “imposter phenomenon.” Imposter syndrome is loosely described as a condition in which you doubt your abilities and feel like a fraud.
Disproportionately affecting high-achieving women who find it difficult to accept their accomplishments, those experiencing this syndrome question whether they’re deserving of the accolades, position or status they have rightly earned.
Imposter Syndrome At A Glance
As to prevalence, Psychology Today notes, “Around 25 to 30 percent of high achievers may suffer from imposter syndrome. And around 70 percent of adults may experience impostorism at least once in their lifetime.” The syndrome is more prevalent in women than in men, and, within that group, it is more prevalent in women of color.
According to a study released by KPMG, “A majority of executive women across a range of industries identified having experienced feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt, or imposter syndrome, at certain points in their careers.”
They found that 75% of executive women have experienced imposter syndrome at specific points in their career, and 74% of executive women believe their male counterparts do not experience feelings of self-doubt as much as female leaders.
The KPMG study also noted that 47% of executive women reported that their feelings of self-doubt come from not ever truly expecting to attain their current level of success. Nearly 60% have been afraid that they won’t be able to live up to expectations or that those surrounding them won’t believe they are as capable as anticipated.
Yet, fortunately, I have found that there are many ways to uproot and overcome imposter syndrome.
Uncovering, Rejecting And Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
Here are five tips to help you overcome imposter syndrome.
1. Seek out the advice of a mentor or trusted advisor.
When doubting your ability to assume a new role, sometimes it takes the wisdom of others to remind you of your capabilities or pose questions to help you properly evaluate an opportunity. A little guidance and reassurance can go a long way, especially from someone who’s been in your shoes.
2. Establish a truth team.
Surround yourself with people who know you—who understand your goals, values and purpose. This is your inner circle. They aren’t afraid to tell you when you are out of alignment with who you are. Lean into their support, motivation and encouragement.
3. Reflect on your journey.
It’s important to take the time to self-reflect. Sit quietly for a moment and remember where you started, how hard you’ve worked to get to where you are, to earn the seat you occupy and how you have also lifted others along their journey. Take pride in what you’ve achieved, and let yourself dream about where you still want to go.
4. Celebrate your accomplishments and find purpose in your defeats.
Try to not take yourself and success so seriously. We have made “winning” our goal when experiencing and learning are so much more important. Celebrate that you actually went for it, that you tried, when most people only imagined.
5. Embrace a mantra.
Find a poem, lyric, quote or any phrase that holds meaning to you. One that will remind you of your power, so that it rises about your doubts and fears. My go-to is, “I am enough.” When I say it out loud, it hushes my inner critics and helps get my mindset back on a positive track.
Drs. Clance and Imes noted that as they worked to overcome imposter syndrom, many high-achieving women were able to begin feeling the following:
“I am intelligent. I have learned and achieved a tremendous amount. It is all right for me to believe in my own intellectual abilities and strengths.”
You may want to use this as your mantra. They note that once we believe this truth, a woman can begin “to be free of the burden of believing she is [not legitimate] and can more fully participate in the joys, zest and power of her accomplishments.”
Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
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