It’s wonderful — and very flattering — to be recruited as a star and have a new employer roll out the red carpet for you. Similarly, it’s nice to get a big promotion within an organisation and have people expect great things of you. But what happens if you arrive in a new role and start to doubt yourself and your abilities? How do you deal with impostor syndrome, especially when those around you have elevated expectations of you?
Get real
Those who find themselves in this position often start to believe that they should have all the answers. Don’t. This is ridiculous and wholly unrealistic. Nobody is omniscient, and not knowing everything doesn’t make you a failure. Remember too that it’s natural to be a bit nervous in a new environment. Try to convey confidence, but be willing to ask questions when you don’t know. People will not think less of you for it.
Look at your past
Impostor syndrome involves the idea that you don’t deserve the position you’re in. So remind yourself why you are there. First, you were recruited or promoted to do this job because you’re talented and capable. Next, look back at your track record. Look at your accomplishments, your experience, your education, and your skills. You have earned your position, and your impressive CV is the reason why. There is no reason your career path shouldn’t continue successfully.
Put yourself in the best possible position
Do everything you can to combat nerves. Preparation can make you feel more confident. If you’re going to a meeting, read up on the topic beforehand. Arrive at meetings five minutes early. If you’re meeting new people, look at their LinkedIn profiles (and their companies’ if applicable). All of these things will be practically useful and give you a psychological boost.
Recognise that impostor syndrome isn’t all bad
In her 2022 paper, The Impostor Phenomenon Revisited: Examining the Relationship Between Workplace Impostor Thoughts and Interpersonal Effectiveness at Work, Basima Tewfik, an assistant professor at MIT Sloan School of Management in the US, says that her research suggests impostor thoughts often have upsides. Those who have these thoughts tend to compensate by being good team players with strong interpersonal skills. “I do not find that this interpersonal benefit comes at the expense of competence-related outcomes,” Tewfik explained.
Embrace not having all the answers
If we knew everything, we would never learn anything. By allowing yourself to admit you don’t know it all, you open your mind to other sources of knowledge and fresh points of view. It’s also quite liberating, as constantly having to be right can be very stressful. So say, “I don’t know”, and start asking questions and learning. If you’re a leader and manage others, this has additional benefits. Leaders who admit they’re not infallible are often more effective — and what is more, they empower those who work for them.
Let go of perfectionism
Many tasks only need to be done to a “good enough level”. Striving for 100% and fixating on what you haven’t done is a waste of time and demotivating. What is more, your colleagues and manager probably don’t care about any of this — to the point where they may not even notice it. So don’t sweat the small stuff and focus instead on what really matters.
‘Fake it till you make it’
Confidence is an odd thing. Because it is self-reinforcing, faking it really can work. You do this by imagining that you are in control and that you can do it. Think about success, when you have succeeded, and picture what success in your present task will look like. Visualisation of success has long been a way that elite athletes train. Similarly, a recent study on the “facial feedback hypothesis” found that artificially adopting a smile can boost happiness, even if the effect is somewhat limited.
Share your feelings
Many individuals who feel like impostors become isolated and marginalised by their fear of failure. This can be particularly tough if you’re new. If you have a trusted colleague, it’s a good idea to share with them. They may well turn round and say, “Everyone else thinks you’re great”, or they might say they feel exactly the same way as you. But even if they reply that you need to work on some areas, sharing lessens the feelings of isolation. If you can’t share with a colleague, talk to a friend or family member. They will not know your work situation as well, but they can be a useful source of support, and they will allow you to unburden yourself. They will also remind you that you are valued and respected in other areas and that your job does not define you.
Celebrate success
Those who suffer from impostor syndrome often dismiss their own successes. They are modest to a fault and become embarrassed, dislike praise, and seek to downplay their achievements. This is a mistake. You don’t need to brag or boast, but you should acknowledge when you do well and thank others when they congratulate you. Not diminishing your achievements will help you remember the success, which in turn will help you believe that you are valuable and boost your confidence.
Accept failure
A big part of impostor syndrome is often a paralysing fear of failure. But failure isn’t all bad. We often learn the most when we fail — and failing then bouncing backs builds resilience. Failing often shows us that “disasters” are nowhere near as bad as we’ve built them up to be. So, learn to acknowledge that things don’t always go right. Take failure in your stride, say you’ll learn from it, and share what you’ve learned. Remember too that a willingness to take risks is a big part of success.
Visit the Global Career Hub from AICPA & CIMA for help with finding a job or recruiting.
Rhymer Rigby is an FM magazine contributor and author of The Careerist: Over 100 Ways to Get Ahead at Work. To comment on this article or to suggest an idea for another article, contact Oliver Rowe at Oliver.Rowe@aicpa-cima.com.
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“3 Ways to Defeat Imposter Syndrome — and Build Executive Presence”, Journal of Accountancy, 10 May 2021
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