The Potential Costs of Imposter Syndrome in Executive Decision-Making

Impostor Syndrome is a mental and emotional experience of feeling unprepared or undeserving of the position you’re in. It happens very commonly to high-achieving individuals, entrepreneurs, celebrities, executives, people who have witnessed their dreams come to fruition only to doubt that they really deserve it.

There are two things you should know about Impostor Syndrome. One, it happens to almost everyone. And two, it’s a useless feeling. Are there things you don’t know? Sure. Will you make mistakes? Most certainly. Being paralyzed by these two facts gets you nowhere. It slows you down, clouds your thinking, and leads to unnecessary mistakes.

In this article, we take a look at how executives can break through Impostor Syndrome and lead efficiently.

Overview

Back in the days before Neil Gaiman was a figure of some controversy, he famously told what is perhaps one of the best-known examples of Impostor Syndrome. He told the story of an event for high-achieving individuals, of which he was in attendance and very uncomfortable. He reported feeling as though he, just a writer, did not belong in the company he was in.

He wound up striking conversation with someone at the event who felt similarly. They bonded over a shared first name. Then Neil, he was conversing with, said something to this effect: I don’t belong with these people. They all went out and built something. I just went where they sent me. To which Neil Gaiman said, well, that’s true, but you were the first person to ever walk on the moon. That has to count for something.

Impostor Syndrome can happen to anyone, even people who have been established in their success for some time. It’s a natural consequence of being human. We all feel self-conscious about our flaws, and at some level, unsure of ourselves. The key to breaking through is to remember that you earned your position, and more importantly, to keep in mind that the people who are counting on you need decisiveness over perfection.

In the next section, we take a look at what happens when you let yourself become paralyzed by decision fatigue.

What are the Risks?

If self-doubt happens to everyone, why is imposter syndrome even a bad thing? While experiencing fluctuating confidence levels is almost inevitable, imposter syndrome refers to a slightly more escalated experience of doubt. Symptoms can include:

• over-preparation to the point of procrastination
• self-doubt that stifles innovation
• a fear of taking risks that neutralizes the purpose of your position

Essentially, when suffering from imposter syndrome, it’s common to feel so ill at ease that you can’t do the job you were hired to do.

How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome

There are a few common methods of handling feelings of self-doubt. These include:

• Talking about your experiences- Just naming the emotion you’re experiencing can strip it of its power, particularly if you’re speaking with someone who’s been in a similar position. If you have a mentor, this is a great time to tap into their understanding and knowledge. You’ll probably find that they’ve been in your position before and have come out the other side.
• Document success- Keep a log of your accomplishments as evidence of your experiences. In other words, have a document of proof handy for when you need it.
• Accept imperfection- Adjust your standard to reflect something that is achievable. In other words, recognize that you make mistakes, accept them as part of the process, and prioritize momentum over perfection.

Then there’s the fake it till you make it school of thought. In other words, if you doubt that you’re qualifying for the position you have, accept it, work hard, stay in the position you’ve been given, and earn it.

Develop a Strong Set of Credentials

Finally, it can also help to develop a set of credentials that you’re not only proud of but confident in.

For example, if you are interested in becoming an administrator in an education setting, getting an EDD is a great way to stay up to date on the most recent and relevant pedagogy.

It’s also a great way to build a supportive network of individuals who are in the same position as you.

Education certainly cannot completely solve the problem of self-doubt. It can provide you with an extremely strong foundation upon which you can build additional skills and achievements.

Imposter Syndrome Can Reoccur

Remember that no matter how far along you get in your career, no matter how much you prepare, no matter how hard you work, imposter syndrome may reoccur. You’ll have new experiences, new challenges, new responsibilities, possibly promotions, any one of which can cause you to question your position. Even the odd professional setback may occur, making you wonder about your overall ability to do the job.

Self-doubt is healthy and natural, but can become a problem if it goes unaddressed. If you’re really worried about your self-confidence, consider taking advantage of mental health services. Many businesses offer them for free for employees. Otherwise, they should be available to some extent within your insurance plan.

You won’t need to commit to indefinite therapeutic help. Sometimes all it takes is a few conversations with a qualified professional to develop the skills and understanding necessary to thrive both emotionally and professionally.