Imposter Syndrome
Even after writing eleven books and winning several prestigious awards, Maya Angelou couldn't escape the nagging doubt that she hadn't really earned her accomplishments. She wasn't alone in this feeling; Albert Einstein described himself as an "involuntary swindler" whose work received more attention than it deserved.
While accomplishments at the level of Angelou and Einstein are rare, the feeling of fraudulence they experienced is pervasive. This psychological pattern, known as Imposter Syndrome, affects a vast range of people across different races, genders, and occupations.
Understanding the Phenomenon
Psychologist Pauline Rose Clance first identified this unwarranted sense of insecurity while treating undergraduate students who, despite high grades, believed their university acceptance was an admissions error. Together with her colleague Suzanne Imes, Clance coined the term "imposter phenomenon" (or imposter syndrome) to describe this internal experience of intellectual phoniness.
It is important to note that while it is called a "syndrome," it is not a disease or an abnormality. It is a nearly universal experience that is not necessarily tied to depression or low self-esteem.
Why Do We Feel Like Frauds?
The root of imposter syndrome often lies in a phenomenon called pluralistic ignorance. We each doubt ourselves privately, but because no one else voices their doubts, we believe we are the only ones thinking that way.
- The Skill Trap: Highly skilled individuals often assume that because a task is easy for them, it must be easy for everyone else. This leads to the belief that they don't deserve accolades over others.
- The Information Gap: We cannot see how hard our peers work, how difficult they find tasks, or how much they doubt themselves. We compare our internal messy reality with their polished external presentation.
- The Imposter Cycle: External insights suggest this often traps people in a cycle where they overwork to compensate for the fear of being discovered. When they succeed, they attribute it to luck rather than ability, reinforcing the feeling of being a fraud.
The Cost of Silence
Intense feelings of imposterism can paralyze potential. It prevents people from sharing great ideas or applying for jobs and programs where they would excel. It disproportionately affects underrepresented or disadvantaged groups, but the feeling is widespread.
Furthermore, how we handle these feelings matters. Research indicates that men and women may respond differently to the anxiety caused by imposter feelings; for instance, while men might perform poorly due to the anxiety of negative feedback, women often double down and work harder, yet still feel insecure about the result.
Strategies to Combat Imposter Syndrome
While we may never banish these feelings entirely, there are proven strategies to manage them and recognize your own competence.
- Talk About It: The most surefire way to combat imposter syndrome is to voice it. Many fears are dispelled simply by hearing that a mentor or peer feels the same way. Knowing there is a name for the feeling can be an immense relief.
- Collect Positive Evidence: Combat your doubts with data. One scientist mentioned in the video realized her competence only after documenting every lab failure and realizing most were due to equipment, not her skills.
- Adopt a New Mindset: You can approach the doubt in two ways. The "Western" mindset encourages you to challenge the self-doubt directly with facts. Alternatively, the "Eastern" mindset suggests acknowledging the feeling without letting it control you, viewing the doubt not as proof of incompetence, but as evidence that you are pushing your boundaries and growing.
- Separate Feelings from Facts: Remind yourself that feeling like an imposter does not make you one. Acknowledge the emotion, but recognize it as a reaction to a new challenge rather than a statement of your worth.
By having open conversations about professional challenges, we can build confidence in some simple truths: you have talent, you are capable, and you belong.
References:
Arbor, A. (2021, October 21). Reset Brain And Body.
Reset Brain and Body.
https://www.resetbrainandbody.com/blog/how-to-overcome-imposter-syndrome
balazius. (2025, September 14). Unmasking the
Imposter: Understanding Doubt Through Myths and Symbols. Glasp.
https://glasp.co/hatch/Y9Z5QWLHQZautJcSDk2UTW1S58Y2/p/warGRLTpAaamqNdVsHi8
Glasp. (2022, February 22). Jordan Peterson -
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome. Glasp. https://glasp.co/youtube/6lXopPeqiBM
Glasp. (2023, April 27). For those who’re
experiencing impostor syndrome. Glasp. https://glasp.co/youtube/z69ApasKTrc
How To Overcome Imposter Syndrome: 14 Tests &
Worksheets. (2020, November 26). PositivePsychology.com.
https://positivepsychology.com/imposter-syndrome-tests-worksheets/
McLean Hospital. (2023, June 2). Understanding and
Overcoming Impostor Syndrome | McLean Hospital. Www.mcleanhospital.org.
https://www.mcleanhospital.org/essential/impostor-syndrome
Powers, B., & Glasp. (2025, November 19). I
Interviewed 25 People About Impostor Syndrome. Here’s What They Said (and How
They Overcame It). Glasp.co; Glasp Newsletter.
https://read.glasp.co/p/i-interviewed-25-people-about-impostor
Reid, S. (2024, January 24). Imposter Syndrome:
Causes, Types, and Coping Tips. HelpGuide.org.
https://www.helpguide.org/mental-health/wellbeing/imposter-syndrome-causes-types-and-coping-tips
Sandeep Kelvadi. (2020, August 28). Imposter
Syndrome - What, Why and How. Sandeep Kelvadi.
https://www.sandeepkelvadi.com/psychology/imposter-syndrome/
Arbo