What is Impostor Syndrome
The Impostor Syndrome, is a psychological conflict in which the person is unable to accept and admit his achievements and praise, because he believes that all his success is due to luck or help from others. It usually hits the person at times when his competence and intelligence are put to the test and makes him literally feel like an imposter, undeserving of his merits.
Because it is a syndrome, it is the coming together of different symptoms, not knowing exactly what causes it and it can become something more serious. According to psychologist Valerie Young, this phenomenon also usually appears in times of transition and/or when one is faced with a new challenge, which is usually accompanied by a load of anxiety and insecurity.
Who might have Impostor Syndrome
Anyone can be affected by Impostor Syndrome, at any age and/or in any position, and it is estimated that 70% of the population has experienced it. However, groups that have experienced some kind of social exclusion are more vulnerable due to criticism from childhood on their capabilities.
Women are also at greater risk of feeling like impostors, since they are discouraged as they are considered to be the “weaker sex”. Even the phenomenon of the Impostor Syndrome was first identified in the 1970s, when competent women felt like frauds.
Impostor syndrome in technology professionals
Thinking about the area of technology, boys are encouraged from a young age to be interested in cars and technology, while girls are encouraged to take care of the house and the family – we can see this through childhood games.
People who feel like impostors elaborate a series of defense mechanisms to deal with the feeling of insecurity and inadequacy:
- Self-deprecation;
- Fear of exposure;
- Procrastination;
- Self-sabotage;
- Exaggerated effort – like an obsession to show results that justify success and eliminate any kind of doubt regarding your ability.
Valerie Young says that these people have unsustainable and very high expectations of their competence.
How to get rid of impostor syndrome?
- Make a list of your accomplishments, skills, and successes;
- Ask for continuous feedbacks and see that your results are seen;
- Make good use of possible failures;
- Allow yourself to keep learning;
- Accept that everyone has his or her vulnerabilities.
