Tackling Imposter Syndrome with Coaching Platforms

Do you frequently find yourself pondering thoughts like these? For many high-achieving individuals, they occur frequently and bring a cascade of unhelpful emotions. These feelings of being a fraud or having one's shortcomings exposed, accompanied by anxiety, insecurity, and dread, are all characteristics of a phenomenon known as imposter syndrome. This blog article explores what imposter syndrome is, how to overcome it, and how a coaching platform and coaching for organizations can assist leaders, managers, and employees in addressing and conquering it.

What is Imposter Syndrome?

Imposter syndrome, coined by American psychologists Pauline Rose Clance and Suzanne Imes in 1978, is the persistent feeling of inadequacy and self-doubt despite external evidence of competence. It leads individuals to perceive themselves as frauds, doubting their abilities and feeling unworthy of success.

Causes of Imposter Syndrome

Imposter syndrome can stem from various sources, including family dynamics, societal pressures, a lack of sense of belonging, and certain personality traits. These factors contribute to a distorted self-perception and undermine confidence in one's achievements.

Types of Imposter Syndrome

Dr. Valerie Young, an American leading expert on impostor syndrome and co-founder of the Impostor Syndrome Institute. categorizes in her book "The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women: Why Capable People Suffer from Impostor Syndrome and How to Thrive in Spite of It?" impostor syndrome into various types, each with unique behavioral patterns:

• The Perfectionist: Always striving for flawlessness and fearing failure.
• The Superwoman/Man/Person: Taking on excessive responsibilities to prove their worth.
• The Natural Genius: Expecting to excel without effort, fearing any sign of failure.
• The Soloist: Avoiding help or collaboration to prove their competence.
• The Expert: Feeling the need to know everything before feeling worthy of recognition.

How Do You Know If You Have Imposter Syndrome?

Initially, imposter syndrome was thought to mainly affect high-achieving women. However, it’s now clear that it can affect anyone, regardless of their social status, job background, skill level, or degree of expertise. Even though imposter syndrome isn’t listed as a mental health disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR) published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), it’s quite common. According to “The Impostor Phenomenon" by Jaruwan Sakulku and James Alexander, published in the International Journal of Behavioral Science in 2011, about 70% of people experience at least one episode of imposter syndrome at some point in their lives.

Wondering If You Might Have Imposter Syndrome? Here Are Some Questions to Ask Yourself:

• Do you find yourself obsessing over even minor mistakes or imperfections in your work?
• Do you attribute your accomplishments more to luck or external circumstances rather than acknowledging your own abilities?
• Are you easily affected by constructive feedback, sometimes taking it personally?
• Do you fear that others will eventually discover you are not as competent as they perceive you to be?
• Do you tend to minimize your expertise, even in areas where you excel compared to your peers?

Here are some common signs of imposter syndrome:

• Inability to Realistically Assess Your Competence and Skills: You might have trouble accurately judging your abilities and feel incompetent despite your success.
• Attributing Success to External Factors: Instead of recognizing your hard work and talent, you might credit luck or other factors for your achievements.
• Berating Your Performance: You might constantly criticize yourself and focus on your perceived flaws.
• Fear of Not Living Up to Expectations: There might be a constant worry that you won’t meet the expectations set by yourself or others.
• Overachieving: Setting very high goals and pushing yourself excessively to achieve them.
• Sabotaging Your Own Success: Engaging in behaviors that hinder your progress due to fear of failure.
• Self-Doubt: Persistent feelings of inadequacy and uncertainty about your abilities.
• Setting Challenging Goals and Feeling Disappointed When Falling Short: Unrealistically high standards can lead to frequent feelings of failure and disappointment.

Impact of Imposter Syndrome

For some, imposter syndrome can fuel motivation to achieve, but this usually comes with constant anxiety. You might over-prepare or work much harder than necessary to ensure nobody finds out you feel like a fraud. This anxiety can eventually worsen and may lead to burn out and sometimes depression.

This cycle can create a pattern where you believe you succeeded only because of excessive preparation or luck. The problem is that doing well doesn’t change your belief that you’re a fraud. Instead, you might question, "What entitles me to be here?" The more you achieve, the stronger the feeling of being an imposter grows.

This thought process often links to social anxiety, especially if you received early feedback that you weren’t good in social or performance situations. Your core beliefs about yourself become so ingrained that they don’t change, even when there’s evidence to the contrary. So, if you do well, you might think it’s due to luck rather than your abilities.

People experiencing imposter syndrome tend not to talk about how they’re feeling and struggle in silence, similar to those with social anxiety disorder. Imposter syndrome erodes you from within, often without outwardly visible signs of struggle. Recognizing what’s going on and taking steps to address these feelings is crucial. Otherwise, feelings of incompetence may prevent you from pursuing professional goals that might actually be right for you, leading to more regret and negative self-talk.

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Dealing with imposter syndrome starts with being aware and using some practical strategies. At CoachBase, we’re here to help with:

SBNRR Technique: This simple approach—Stop, Breathe, Notice, Reflect, and Respond—can help you handle imposter syndrome calmly. Our coaches will guide you on how to use it effectively.

Mindfulness and Self-Compassion: We’ll help you practice ways to quiet that inner critic and build a kinder view of yourself. Our coaching focuses on building self-acceptance and resilience.

Seeking Feedback and Reframing: Getting feedback and learning to see setbacks as growth opportunities can boost your confidence. We’re here to support you in turning challenges into learning moments and celebrating your wins.

We’re committed to helping you overcome imposter syndrome and reach your full potential.

Imposter Syndrome in the Corporate Environment

Imposter syndrome can affect anyone in the corporate world, not just managers and leaders. The pressure to perform and meet high expectations can lead to self-doubt for employees at all levels. Many people worry that showing vulnerability might undermine their professional image.

At CoachBase, we recognize that these feelings are common and offer coaching to help employees at any levels dealing with imposter syndrome. Our personalized coaching approach provides practical tools and support to manage build the right level of confidence, enabling you to thrive in your role.  

How Professional Coaching Can Alleviate Impostor Syndrome?

A coaching platform like CoachBase offers tailored leadership coaching and executive coaching services to leaders, managers and employees to address imposter syndrome issues, providing a safe, confidential and 1:1 setting space with a professional Coach. The typical areas worked on are the following:

• Building Confidence
• Identifying Negative Thought Patterns
• Setting Realistic Expectations
• Developing Self-Compassion
• Providing Constructive Feedback
• Encouraging Positive Affirmations
• Promoting a Growth Mindset
• Creating Support Systems
• Enhancing Emotional Intelligence
• Developing Coping Strategies

Case Studies and Success Stories:

Real-workplace examples illustrate how individuals have overcome imposter syndrome through using CoachBase coaching platform and self-development:

Case Study 1: Maria, a senior executive in a multinational corporation, struggled with imposter syndrome despite her significant achievements. Through personalized coaching sessions, she learned to reframe self-doubt and embrace her strengths, leading to increased confidence and career satisfaction.

Case Study 2: John, a middle manager experiencing imposter syndrome, participated in team coaching sessions focused on enhancing collaboration and collective problem-solving. By fostering a supportive team environment, John gained reassurance in his abilities and contributed more effectively to organizational goals.

Going further by addressing bias and systemic Influences.

Biases and systemic factors exacerbate imposter syndrome, particularly affecting marginalized groups. Inclusive leadership and supportive workplace environments are crucial in mitigating these effects and promoting a culture of authenticity and belonging. At CoachBase, we offer coaching for organizations of all sizes covering a wide range of coaching services designed to address performance-hindering issues. Whether through face to face or online coaching sessions with employees, team or group coaching or corporate training, our goal to create a supportive workplace environment.

Wrapping Up

Imposter syndrome is a common yet often overlooked challenge, especially among high achievers. By understanding its causes, recognizing its signs, and applying effective strategies, individuals can move past self-doubt and find greater satisfaction in both their personal and professional lives. 

Professional coaching platforms like CoachBase offer coaching services designed to support individuals and organizations through this process. By addressing biases and fostering an inclusive environment, we help create workplaces where everyone feels valued and supported.