You’re one of the top executives in your organization. You’ve spent years or decades becoming a master of your craft and a reputable leader in your field. You’ve earned the respect of your peers, the admiration of those you lead, the trust of your board, and you have numerous accolades to prove it. Yet, a persistent undercurrent of doubt whispers in your ear: You’re a fraud. You don’t deserve it. And soon, everyone will realize what an imposter you are.
This is imposter syndrome, a phenomenon that affects people at all levels, from entry-level employees to top-tier executives. It’s that nagging feeling that your achievements are undeserved and that sooner or later, you’ll be exposed as an imposter. Ironically, it’s incredibly common among high-achieving individuals.
In this blog, we’ll explore why imposter syndrome is so common among successful executives and, more importantly, how you can overcome it. We’ll examine the unique pressures leaders face that fuel self-doubt and provide practical strategies to silence your inner critic.
Understanding Imposter Syndrome
Imposter syndrome, sometimes known as the imposter phenomenon, is a psychological pattern in which individuals doubt their accomplishments and have a persistent fear of being exposed as a fraud. The term was first coined in 1978 by psychologists Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes, who studied high-achieving women and found that despite their academic and professional success, they often felt undeserving of their accomplishments.
Common symptoms of imposter syndrome include:
- Self-Doubt: A constant feeling of inadequacy, regardless of success.
- Overworking: Pushing oneself to work harder to prove worthiness.
- Attributing Success to Luck: Believing achievements are due to luck rather than skill.
- Fearing of Failure: Intense fear of being exposed as incompetent.
- Discounting Praise: Dismissing positive feedback and compliments.
- Feeling Fraudulent: The sense that you’ve tricked people into believing you are capable, even if you’ve done nothing deceptive.
These symptoms can manifest in various ways in professional life, such as avoiding new challenges, reluctance to speak up in meetings, and anxiety over performance reviews.
A notable example of a high-achieving executive that experiences imposter syndrome is Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook and author of Lean In. Despite her enormous success and being second-in-command to Mark Zuckerberg at Facebook, Sandberg has publicly discussed experiencing imposter syndrome and feeling like she didn’t deserve her achievements. In her book, she shares that even when receiving job offers, she doubted her capabilities and was convinced she had somehow fooled people into believing she was more competent than she felt. She stated:
“Every time I didn’t embarrass myself — or even excelled — I believed that I had fooled everyone yet again. One day soon, the jig would be up.”
A 2020 KPMG survey of 750 female executives found that this sentiment was very prevalent: 75% had experienced imposter syndrome at some point in their careers, and 81% felt they put more pressure on themselves not to fail compared to men.
But the imposter phenomenon doesn’t discriminate—anyone, regardless of their success, gender, race, or any other identifying factor, can experience it. The syndrome is especially prevalent among those who outwardly appear the most successful.
The Paradox of Success
Success, particularly at high levels, can come with an unexpected psychological cost. This paradox, where the most accomplished individuals frequently feel the most fraudulent, stems from several intertwined factors.
High Stakes
For high achievers, the stakes are extraordinarily high. Their positions come with immense visibility and significant responsibilities, and often, the livelihoods of many people depend on their decisions. This constant pressure creates a fertile ground for self-doubt.
The higher the stakes, the greater the fear of making mistakes, leading to a persistent sense of inadequacy. Executives are continually faced with complex problems and critical decisions, which can exacerbate feelings of being out of their depth. This intense pressure can cause even the most successful individuals to question their competence.
Perfectionism
Perfectionism is closely linked to imposter syndrome, especially among high achievers. Many executives set exceptionally high standards for themselves and strive for flawlessness in their work. This relentless pursuit of perfection can be both a driving force and a detriment.
When perfection becomes the only acceptable outcome, even minor errors or setbacks can feel like monumental failures. This all-or-nothing mindset fuels the imposter phenomenon, as executives may feel that anything less than perfection confirms their deepest fears of inadequacy. Research has shown that perfectionism correlates strongly with imposter syndrome, highlighting how self-imposed high standards can lead to chronic self-doubt.
Comparison
Constant comparison to peers and predecessors is another significant factor fueling the imposter phenomenon. High achievers often measure their success against that of their colleagues, mentors, or previous leaders. This comparison can be particularly harsh in competitive environments where the achievements of others are highly visible. Seeing peers excel can trigger a sense of inadequacy, even if one’s own accomplishments are equally impressive.
Additionally, the legacy of predecessors can create an overwhelming benchmark. Executives might feel they are living in the shadows of those who came before them, struggling to match or surpass their achievements. This continuous comparison can lead to a persistent feeling of never being quite good enough, no matter how successful they are.
Understanding and addressing the elements that frequently contribute to imposter syndrome can help mitigate the impact and foster a healthier, more confident professional life.
Identifying the Triggers
Imposter syndrome can exist as a persistent undercurrent of self-doubt and criticism, or it can manifest suddenly and intensely following a particular trigger. Understanding where the feelings of inadequacy come from can help a leader or executive challenge them.
Here are a few common situations that trigger the imposter phenomenon:
New Challenges
Taking on new roles or responsibilities can trigger imposter syndrome. When high achievers step into unfamiliar territory, they are often confronted with a steep learning curve, a desire to prove themselves, and heightened expectations. This scenario can lead to feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt, as they question their ability to meet these new demands.
Feedback and Criticism
For those prone to imposter syndrome, feedback—no matter how constructive and well-intentioned—often confirms their deepest fears: that they are not good enough. The issue lies in the mindset; constructive criticism is internalized as a personal failing rather than seen as a valuable opportunity for growth. This negative interpretation of feedback can create a cycle of self-doubt, where each piece of advice or critique reinforces their belief that they are inadequate.
Shifting one’s perspective on feedback is crucial. Viewing feedback as a tool for improvement, rather than evidence of incompetence, can help break this cycle and foster a healthier, more productive response to criticism.
Work Culture
The culture within a workplace can also play a critical role in exacerbating feelings of inadequacy. Highly competitive environments, where success is relentlessly pursued and failure is stigmatized, can intensify imposter syndrome. In such settings, leaders may feel constant pressure to perform at their best, fearing that any misstep will expose their perceived incompetence. Additionally, workplaces that lack supportive mentorship and recognition can leave individuals feeling isolated and undervalued.
By recognizing these triggers, individuals and organizations can take proactive steps to address the imposter phenomenon.
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: Strategies and Tools
Overcoming imposter syndrome requires effort, time, and a willingness to confront your own thought patterns. It’s impossible to “cure” the phenomenon overnight, and the negative feelings may intensify before they get better. But overall, addressing imposter syndrome is a worthwhile endeavor to improve both your personal sense of worth and your ability to lead.
Here are some ways you can start to tackle imposter syndrome and build lasting confidence.
Invest in Executive Coaching
Executive coaching can be particularly beneficial in managing imposter syndrome, as coaches are trained to help individuals identify and challenge their negative beliefs or behaviors, set realistic goals, and develop evidence-based strategies for success. By working with someone invested in your growth, you can better be held accountable for your progress, have support in navigating challenges, and gain an outside perspective that is often crucial for personal development.
Coaches provide a structured environment where you can explore your thoughts and feelings, receive constructive feedback, and develop practical skills to enhance your leadership abilities and overall performance.
Here are some ways an executive coach can help you beat imposter syndrome:
Shift Your Mindset
A growth mindset, as defined by psychologist Carol Dweck, involves seeing failures as opportunities for growth rather than as evidence of inadequacy. By reframing mistakes as learning experiences, individuals can reduce the fear of failure that fuels imposter syndrome. An executive coach can be instrumental in helping you recognize elements of your mindset that are hindering your progress and providing a framework for you to reframe these thoughts constructively.
For example, instead of thinking, “I made a mistake because I’m a failure,” a coach can help you reframe to, “I made a mistake, but now I know how to improve.” Shifting your perspective, even if it feels forced at first, disrupts the negative thought pattern, diminishing its power. This practice eventually helps you better recognize when a negative thought pattern is unhelpful or untrue, allowing you to respond more constructively and with greater resilience.
Validate Your Achievements
Practicing self-validation is a helpful tool for recognizing and celebrating one’s achievements, which can help lessen the impact of imposter syndrome. An executive coach can assist you in this process by guiding you through specific exercises designed to reinforce your self-worth and counteract negative thoughts.
One effective exercise is keeping a journal to document successes, positive feedback, and moments of pride. Reviewing these entries regularly can help reinforce self-worth and counteract negative thoughts.
Another effective exercise is to list personal accomplishments and reflect on the skills and effort that made them possible. By acknowledging and validating their own achievements, individuals can build a stronger sense of self-confidence and reduce feelings of being a fraud.
Set Realistic Goals
Setting small, realistic goals is a helpful strategy for tackling imposter syndrome. An executive coach can assist you in breaking down big tasks into smaller, manageable steps. This approach makes daunting projects feel achievable and lets you celebrate progress along the way. Recognizing and celebrating these small victories is crucial—it boosts your confidence and provides a sense of accomplishment.
Instead of striving for perfection, aim for steady improvement, understanding that setbacks are part of the process and an opportunity to learn. This shift in mindset helps alleviate the pressure to be flawless. An executive coach can guide you in setting specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals. This framework ensures your objectives are clear and reachable, keeping you motivated and focused.
It is also important to regularly review and adjust your goals. This practice not only keeps your goals aligned with your evolving priorities but also reinforces the idea that flexibility is a strength, not a weakness. By setting realistic goals with the help of an executive coach, you create a balanced path to success, reducing the overwhelm and self-doubt that feed imposter syndrome.
Get Professional Help for Mental Health Concerns
Beyond executive coaching, therapy may be a helpful avenue for addressing imposter syndrome. If imposter syndrome is significantly affecting your daily life and performance, seeking professional mental health support can be extremely beneficial in addressing the underlying anxiety tied to the syndrome. A therapist can assist you in exploring the root causes of your feelings, developing coping strategies, and managing anxiety. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), in particular, is effective at challenging and reframing negative thought patterns. Professional help provides a safe space to discuss your fears and receive personalized guidance on overcoming imposter syndrome.
By adopting these strategies, you can effectively overcome imposter syndrome to lead with confidence.
Reclaim Your Confidence: A Path Forward
In this blog, we explored the paradox of success and why high-achieving executives are particularly vulnerable to imposter syndrome. Though imposter syndrome can feel like a formidable opponent, understanding it is the first step towards loosening its hold.
To all executives grappling with imposter syndrome, you are not alone. Many successful leaders have faced the same struggle and have overcome it. Embrace your journey, acknowledge your achievements, and be kind to yourself. Your contributions are valuable, and your success is well-deserved. Building confidence takes time, but each step forward is a testament to your strength and capability.
If you’re ready to lead with confidence, reach out to Arden Coaching. Our experienced coaches are dedicated to helping you build resilience and achieve your professional goals. Contact us today to start your journey toward greater confidence and success.