Imposter syndrome is when we doubt our own skills, abilities and successes in an irrational way. It causes us to dread that people will discover our lack of skills and expose us to be imposters. It is called a syndrome specifically when this view is irrational or highly inaccurate.
One can have imposter syndrome in one setting and not have it in another. For instance, one may see themselves as an accomplished expert in their field but feel that same expertise in a board setting or public setting is grossly inadequate.
It is therefore important to make sure to confront and correct these inaccurate views so that your true ability can thrive unhindered.
I have learnt to do so in the following manner. If I realise I may have imposter syndrome in a specific area, I immediately determine that I can no longer rely on my own opinion about my own abilities in that area.
To put it another way, I purposefully “outsource” that function to a person I trust, and I rely on their views more than my own until I gradually build an accurate and healthy view.
You need to identify and purposefully give a mentor, friend or even a boss the right to speak into that area. More importantly you need to trust and do based on their opinion.
This is to begin counterbalancing this warped view. However, I must also make sure I am indeed skilled or competent enough.
Imposter syndrome is not a syndrome if that feeling of inadequacy is correct and warranted when compared to the expected levels of competence.
Lastly, you must actively and forcefully do that very thing that you think you are incapable of doing. If you can do it well, then it will diminish the imposter syndrome. But if you were incapable, then you know where to improve.
The point is to convert this weakness of imposter syndrome into a strength that guides your growth.
