Impostor Syndrome Unmasked
Today's society is an eternal obstacle race for both men and women. Gender prejudices and stereotypes reinforce outdated social structures and ways of thinking. Women, in particular, especially when it comes to their working careers, often encounter these obstacles in both their material and mental forms. One of the most complicated mental obstacles is the so-called impostor syndrome, which makes people doubt their abilities and achievements, going so far as to negatively affect their careers.
Thom Browne SS14, Photography by Lea Colombo.
The Feeling of Being an Impostor
Admitting that you suffer from symptoms related to impostor syndrome can be very complicated. Initially, the doubts are simply fleeting thoughts that creep slowly, unnoticed, into everyday life. You pay no attention to them, remove them from your mind, and move on. Over time, however, real, constant doubts arise, and one begins to question one's abilities: "Was it good enough?", "Could I have or should I have done more?", "What happens if everyone notices that I have no idea what I'm doing here?". Once you get into this vortex of thoughts, it is not at all easy to reverse the course, because you always downplay your abilities, experience, and achievements, going so far as to believe that you are not up to the mark and cannot do any kind of work. The problem is that, in most cases, the truth is exactly the opposite.
Although several studies indicate that impostor syndrome affects all demographics, women seem to be its favored victims. But what exactly is impostor syndrome, and is it true that women suffer from it more than men?
Is Impostor Syndrome More Common in Women Than in Men?
Psychologists Pauline R. Clance and Suzanne Imes initially discussed the phenomenon of impostor syndrome in a paper titled "Impostor Syndrome in Successful Women: Dynamics and Therapeutic Interventions" published in the late 1970s. Their research indicates that impostor syndrome induces an internal sense of intellectual dishonesty that prompts people to minimize their own abilities and credit other people for their successes and accomplishments rather than their own skills. Initially, Clance and Imes assumed that ambitious women were the only ones who experience impostor syndrome. Actually, a number of researches indicate that women are more likely than males to report feeling like impostors. 75% of the 750 accomplished female CEOs surveyed in a 2020 KPMG study admitted to having experienced impostor syndrome at least once in their professional lives. 85% even think that most women working in huge U.S. corporate systems suffer from impostor syndrome. Additionally, according to 74% of respondents, male coworkers in comparable roles have considerably fewer inner worries.
Research indicates that impostor syndrome can afflict people of both sexes and in all demographic groups. But the question that needs to be addressed is whether impostor syndrome isn't an illness that was brought about by a society that still overwhelmingly favors men. All societal levels are still permeated with gender preconceptions, which hinder women's self-confidence. Phrases like "women are not good with numbers or in scientific subjects" or "women are unsuitable for leadership roles because of their emotionality" are heard by many women from an early age and become dogmas that can later materialize as impostor syndrome. Additionally, they frequently attribute women's intelligence solely to their physical attributes, instantly reducing them to their appearance.
Of course, both men and women might have internal concerns about their talents even in the absence of other societal influences. But another term that is often associated with women without considering the context that gives rise to this relationship is impostor syndrome. Furthermore, because women are more inclined to see errors in themselves, the majority of them would experience impostor syndrome, which provides a great "diagnosis" for their symptoms. Men tend to blame external factors for their failures or mistakes, while women tend to look within and believe they lack knowledge or skills. This is highlighted in the study "The Stereotype that Girls Lack Talent: A Worldwide Survey" by Clotilde Napp and Thomas Breda.
Dr. Pauline R. Clance, Georgia State University Psychology Department, 1985. Via Georgia State University, University Library.
How a Career Is Harmed by Impostor Syndrome
Consequently, it is likely to be true that self-doubt impedes one's ability to advance. The issue gets delicate when these internal doubts directly affect one's profession, as they frequently do with women. The gender pay gap and other economic and social inequities force women to continue to accept lower wages in our society. The average hourly wage for women in the European Union decreased by 12.7% in 2021. Due to the gender pension gap, women in Germany may earn up to 59.6% less in pension income than men, and in Italy, men receive 32.9% more. As a result, they cannot afford to even momentarily doubt themselves. In spite of this, a lot of women experience impostor syndrome during their professional lives, which hurts their chances of advancing financially and in their jobs. Even though impostor syndrome is not a recognized condition, psychological side effects including anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem can result from this excessive display of self-doubt. Anxiety states often make it difficult for a person to concentrate, and depressions seriously weaken a person's spirit and power, which negatively affects performance. This can quickly lead to a vicious cycle of deep-seated internal doubts combined with performance-impairing mental illness. In addition to being treated with less respect and losing opportunities easily, someone with low self-esteem may also lack confidence in themselves. Even in the absence of psychological side effects, the impostor syndrome alone has the capacity to "hinder" advancement in the economy and job. Fearing they are not up to the challenge or that they would be exposed as cheaters, a lot of people choose to stay in their current professional path rather than even attempting to apply for more prominent and well-paying professions. Because of this, women do not see increases in pay while their male coworkers—who could or might not be better qualified for those responsibilities than their female counterparts—do so by occupying those positions.
Collaborative street art installation by Nicole Nikolich aiming to highlight the gender pay gap. Via “Streets Dept”, 2019.
How You Can Get Rid of Inner Doubts and Impostor Syndrome
Getting rid of impostor syndrome completely is not easy, but these tips could definitely help. First, it may be helpful to take an inventory of your talents, professional experiences, knowledge, and skills so as to convince yourself that you are definitely qualified for your job or a particular role. In this way, you might realize how low the chances are that someone might accuse you of being a fraud. In this sense, mentors and co-workers can also help you bring out your skills and qualities: don't hesitate to ask them for honest and sincere feedback about the way you work, your communication, or the implementation of your projects. Books such as "How Women Rise: Break the 12 Habits Holding You Back" by Marshall Goldsmith and Sally Helgesen can also help, as they are helpful in breaking out of old mental patterns. In the aforementioned book, the two authors describe twelve habits that often hold women back during their careers, for example, "the perfectionism trap", "the expectation that suddenly others will notice and appreciate our work", "downplaying ourselves", or "being reluctant to pin down our successes". Of course, not all habits correspond to your behavior in the workplace. However, there are several elements that can have an effect on one's perception and can feed the inner doubts and feeling typical of impostor syndrome. In any case, this book aims to help you reconsider your view of career and success and, at best, get rid of the impostor syndrome.
