“I feel like a fraud.”
What do you think and how do you feel when you hear a person say this?
In particular if it’s a woman.
I hear Imposter Syndrome.
Whilst this is synonymous with women, some men do experience Imposter Syndrome.
Clients self-diagnose Imposter Syndrome and they’re probably correct.
Many women explain that they’re experiencing the feelings of:
🥺Flaws
🥺Failure
🥺Fear
🥺Frustration
They give clues by saying:
🔦I fluked it.
🔦I’ll be found out.
🔦I feel like a fraud.
Tips include:
Set realistic expectations
Seek out belonging
Keep evidence of achievements
Adopt a mindset – a non-imposter mindset
Stop your overthinking and you’ll stop feeling it.
Above all, work on your courage and confidence to reframe your thinking and language.
Dr. Valerie Young author of The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women identified five types of Imposterism.
Knowing which of these five you lean towards, enables a solution approach.
During my Mentoring services, we often explore Imposter Syndrome. I explore the five competence areas related to the types of Imposter Syndrome.
As a Leader, normalise it, talk about it as 70% of people experience it.
How have you experienced Imposter Syndrome?