A lack of coaching, training, and resource allocation is making many employees, particularly CEOs and senior executives, prone to imposter syndrome, a new global report said.
Generally, organisations are not providing enough support to help workforces succeed in their jobs, according to global consulting firm Korn Ferry’s Workforce 2024 report.
Korn Ferry surveyed 10,000 professionals across career levels in the US, UK, Brazil, Middle East, Australia, and India.
“[Seventy-one per cent] of American CEOs admit they struggle with imposter syndrome,” the report said. However, the problem is global; 58% of both CEOs and senior executives surveyed say they have imposter syndrome.
Employees who feel unsupported are also less likely to feel confident at work, the report said, as 47% who report experiencing imposter syndrome also say they feel “stretched beyond their abilities”.
Training initiatives are not being distributed equally. Workers over the age of 55 feel they are not provided the same career development opportunities as younger counterparts.
“When it comes to [artificial intelligence] and other technological advances, more than half of people under 55 are excited about the potential of how it might change the way they work,” the report said. But only 60% feel as supported as their colleagues when it comes to learning and development.
These findings suggest that companies aren’t investing in the right kind of leadership coaching and training, the report said, or that they’re promoting people without giving them the tools they need to succeed.
Companies that struggle with proper upskilling are less likely to retain talent, the report noted. According to professionals surveyed, the top three drivers that would encourage them to quit their jobs were low compensation, lack of career advancement opportunities, and lack of job security.
“People are keen to learn new skills to help them do their jobs better,” the report said. “In fact, 67% would even stay in a job they hated if it offered them opportunities to progress and upskill quickly.”
— To comment on this article or to suggest an idea for another article, contact Steph Brown at Stephanie.Brown@aicpa-cima.com.
