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Imposter syndrome can be defined as the feeling of being insufficient or inadequate at something. Despite obvious success, it is a feeling that can continue to persist, according to a Harvard Business Review (HBR) article. People suffering from imposter syndrome will often have an overwhelming feeling of self-doubt, as well as a sense of fraudulence that overrides any proof of capability or success.
2019 research released by a team from Brigham Young University (BYU) found that 20% of individuals suffer from imposter syndrome. The Daily Mail reported that although ‘imposters’ don’t feel capable in their professional ability, they are still able to perform well when in the workplace. While it is possible that a lot of employees may experience this feeling from time to time, a recent article from BBC Worklife explained that imposter syndrome impacts some groups of people more than others.
Brian Daniel Norton, a Psychotherapist and Executive Coach in New York said in an interview with BBC Worklife that women, and women of colour - particularly Black women - as well as the LGBT+ community are most at risk of suffering from imposter syndrome.“When you experience systemic oppression or are directly or indirectly told your whole life that you are less-than or undeserving of success and you begin to achieve things in a way that goes against a long-standing narrative in the mind, imposter syndrome will occur,” Norton added.
Wellbeing | Imposter syndrome is growing among professionals
One reason for this, according to the article, is due to corporate culture and gender inequality in the workplace. For example, 2019 research from the US firm Lean In found that for every 100 men brought into the workplace and promoted to management, only 72 women experienced the same thing. In addition, the gender imbalance in managerial roles was another factor; men hold 62% of manager-level positions, while women hold just 38%.
