Feeling like a fraud? You’re not alone: The Imposter Syndrome
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Sophie was a hard-working, driven and exceptional project manager. She had worked her way up through the ranks and was now managing million-pound contracts and projects that needed to be delivered on time. She had recently had another promotion due to her performance being above that of her colleagues, and she never failed to deliver.
To everyone around her, Sophie was an all-round team player, well-liked, and what she did seemed effortless to others.
The only problem was that Sophie felt this was largely due to luck, and she was constantly anxious that someone would find out. She felt that she should not be there. I’ve had a crippling fear of failure. Underlying all of this was a degree of perfectionism that the Times was bordering on pathological.
Sophie, of course, was suffering from something up to 70% of the population will suffer from at some point in their lives, which is imposter syndrome.
What is Imposter Syndrome?
Imposter syndrome is a phenomenon experienced by many individuals, particularly high achievers, who cannot internalise their accomplishments and instead feel like frauds despite evidence of their competence. It is characterised by a persistent fear of being exposed as a “fake” or “imposter”. It can cause individuals to doubt their abilities and achievements, leading to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem.
While imposter syndrome is not an officially recognised mental health disorder, it is a common experience that can significantly impact an individual’s professional and personal life. It can lead to stress, anxiety, and depression and even cause individuals to avoid taking on new challenges or pursuing new opportunities for fear of being exposed as a fraud.
Imposter syndrome can manifest in many ways and affect individuals in various professions and fields. It is not limited to any particular gender, age, or background and can affect anyone who experiences feelings of self-doubt and inadequacy.
In recent years, imposter syndrome has gained increased attention and recognition as a significant issue affecting individuals in the workplace and beyond. As a result, there has been a growing focus on understanding the…
