I’ve been thinking a lot about how impostor syndrome doesn't just appear out of nowhere. Instead, it grows from seeds planted long before we enter the workforce.
To understand what I mean, I want you to stop what you're doing and picture yourself back in your seventh-grade algebra class.
Imagine sitting in that familiar uncomfortable seat attached to your desk and listening as your teacher explains how to solve a single-variable equation. Particularly if you identify as female, there's a good chance you absorbed the information, then set out to adhere to the dictated approach in your homework assignment.
You learned one way of doing it.
You were told that there is one right answer.
You knew the steps to take to get the grade you wanted.
Because of how school is structured, a rubric or syllabus clearly defines success. All you had to do to control the outcome of your work was apply what you learned and seek help when necessary. You were more likely to be praised for finding the "right" answer and less likely to be commended for creativity—especially in more quantitative disciplines. And the feedback you got was clear, usually in the form of a grade.
A meta-analysis of over 300 studies involving a million+ students worldwide indicates that girls typically outperform boys in academic settings. There are many theories for why this trend exists, including a mix of developmental factors and social conditioning. And I'd argue that in an academic setting, this approach usually does lead to success—in the form of:
Achievement
Validation
People-pleasing
Yet after spending years perfecting this “work hard and make people happy” approach, many women find themselves stuck in self-doubt at work.
The trouble comes when we bring strategies that once led to success into the workplace, expecting them to continue serving us well. That built-in desire to get it “right” causes the brain to snap into a head-down, work-hard mode like the one we perfected over years of schooling. While busy plodding away with little gain, we watch peers (often male peers) seem to advance easily—all because the rules have changed.
The misguided belief that there is one “right” way to do things triggers impostor syndrome and makes us question ourselves. We assume that others have access to a manual or rule book that we don't have. This fear leads us to believe we're destined to get it wrong, which keeps us playing small.
The truth is that there is no longer one right answer. In fact, questioning the apparent answer is the surest path to innovation, especially in knowledge work environments. We simply can't stay competitive if we don't innovate. But we can't innovate if we remain trapped in our thinking.
So, what do we do when our old strategies get in the way of our new goals?
If you have found yourself paralyzed with the fear of not "getting it right" at work, take comfort that you aren't alone. I struggled with Impostor Syndrome for years before learning to name and address these challenges and unlock my full potential.
Pushing past these barriers and advancing to the next level is possible. But doing so requires transforming the way you think about things like . . .
Achievement
It was much easier to feel confident about our path and realize success when we had firm markers like grades and rankings. In the world of work, achievement can often feel more nebulous. It's crucial to communicate with your supervisor and get clarity around expectations. Once you understand what success looks like and how it’s defined at your organization and for your role, you can begin constructing a map to get there.
People-Pleasing
Trade people-pleasing for relationship building. You cannot achieve quality work in a vacuum. Instead of simply churning out work, you need to build strategic relationships and contextualize the value of your work through authentic self-promotion.
Validation
Unlike in school, your supervisor and peers are looking for you to manage up, bring ideas to the table, and approach your work proactively. Your voice suddenly matters, and that liberates you to put your own stamp on things. Instead of seeking validation by carrying out marching orders, you must earn that validation through innovation, risk-taking, and creativity.
By adjusting our approach, we can grow in confidence, visibility, and influence, minimizing the paralyzing effects of impostor syndrome and reaching new levels of success.
Are you ready to take a concrete step toward kicking impostor syndrome to the curb?