How Imposter Syndrome Affects Women in the Workplace and 4 Ways to Overcome It
What is Imposter Syndrome?
Submitted by Carly Slagel, Cohort 8
What if someone told you that you weren’t good enough, and for a moment, you believed them? Would you accept it, or would a voice inside you rise up, ready to prove them wrong?
Now, what if that voice of doubt wasn’t coming from someone else, but from within? "I can't do this.", "No one will like what I produce.", "I'm not going to get a call back for this job application". Sound familiar?
These are the words of imposter syndrome, the silent critic that keeps you from embracing your true potential.
Imposter syndrome is a pervasive issue that affects many professionals, regardless of their level of success or expertise. Its impact on women in the workplace is particularly significant. Despite their achievements, many women experience self-doubt, often attributing their successes to luck rather than their own abilities.
Imposter syndrome is defined as a psychological pattern where individuals doubt their accomplishments for fear of being exposed as "frauds". People suffering from this condition frequently feel that they do not deserve their success and worry that others will eventually uncover their perceived inadequacies.
If you have experienced imposter syndrome in your professional life (or personal life, let’s be honest) it’s ok because you’re not alone! We have tools to bring us back to our center and remember our self-worth.
Why Imposter Syndrome Hits Women Harder
Organizations and social structures are not set up for women to succeed and there’s a lack of equity, often leaving women feeling marginalized or under-recognized. You may feel imposter syndrome simply because the system wasn’t made for you - it was made for men.
Limited access to mentorship opportunities, networking groups, and a lack of female representation at senior levels of organizations reinforce feelings of not belonging for women in male-dominated fields. These structural biases create an environment where women feel out of place or even question their qualifications.
Tips to Combat Imposter Syndrome:
Build An Allyship Network
In a professional environment, when you attend a team meeting and need to bring something up, strategize with another woman ally and help uplift each other in the meeting. This shows up as complimenting an idea your fellow women have thought up.
It may sound like, “that’s a great idea, it could benefit the situation by X example” inserted into the conversation immediately after the idea is presented or later by looping back to the idea again. In this situation, someone else may be highlighting your work and not giving appropriate credit so approach this by looping back to the idea genius in the room by saying something like “I’m glad you’re reiterating what [persons name] said earlier. I agree, it’s a great idea, maybe we could collaborate“.
Highlighting your ideas will also give you and other women visibility to leaders and strength in strategy which will positively impact your political and bureaucratic stance within the organization. You do not have to be in a management role to lead!
Highlight and Share Credit
Give women credit! If someone gives you an idea that is a catalyst for something greater - give them credit. Without that puzzle piece, you’d still be stuck where you were. You would probably appreciate the recognition too, right? So why not share that and build a positive relationship? Uplift one another and help dismantle internalized patriarchal norms that prevent women from flourishing professionally. Allyship is important and sometimes our peers are mentors too!
Celebrate Success - Yours and Others
Women do not need to compete with other women! If you’re comparing yourself to others around you and competing with other women you’re probably not leaving room for celebrating accomplishments and therefore when it’s your turn you won’t be celebrated.
At Young & Empowered Women, we lead with the quote, “Your light doesn’t dim when you ignite someone else’s flame.” There is plenty of room for each of us to shine!
Seek Out Mentors and Support
Cheer each other on, and celebrate your wins! You definitely deserve it. Uplevel your emotional intelligence, and lean into the powerful effects of community. If you’re struggling with this, maybe it’s time to seek professional support via a mentor or friendly therapist who can help you work through some internal conflict.
Recognize and acknowledge yourself, challenge negative thoughts, support other women via community, look into finding a mentor, consider a professional therapist for support, and continuously learn.
Repeat this phrase: I am worthy. I. Am. Worthy. I AM WORTHY!
Resources:
Professional Groups
Young & Empowered Women provides professional development, mentorship and networking opportunities which include ongoing conversations about combating imposter syndrome. Learn more about joining Y&E at www.yewomen.org.
Books
Brene Brown “Dare to lead”
Valerie Young “The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women”
“It’s not what you say out of your mouth that determines your life, it’s what you whisper to yourself that has the most power” Robert T. Kiyosaki - Author of “Rich Dad, Poor Dad”
Virtual Resources
“Your body language may shape who you are” TED Talk with Amy Cuddy
Podcasts
Women at Work, Harvard Business Review
The Confidence Gap with Katty Kay
