It is important to identify and understand the signs of impostor syndrome early in one\u2019s career, to avoid losing confidence and to become an empowered, valued and productive team member.<\/p>\n
\u201cAccording to a study conducted by UK career development agency, as much as a third of millennials suffer from Imposter Syndrome at work,\u201d said Dr Gillian Mooney, from The Independent Institute of Education.<\/p>
She said locally the situation is likely to be much the same, with a large number of young graduates who will be able to identify with a persistent fear of being \u201cfound out\u201d or exposed as a \u201cfraud\u201d in the workplace.<\/p>\n
\u201cImpostor syndrome is commonly reported by recent graduates who are starting to formally work for the first time.<\/p>
\u201cWhile Impostor Syndrome is not a formal psychological diagnosis, the concept has been used since 1978 to describe people who have an ongoing fear of being uncovered as being a fraud, or persistently feeling that they are \u2018phony\u2019. So there is good news for those who have been experiencing these confidence-sapping feelings in the workplace.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are many millions of people around the world who feel the same way, so you are not alone; and there are some solid ways in which you can rectify the situation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr Mooney added that a further characteristic of those \u2018suffering\u2019 from Impostor Syndrome is that they tend to struggle with internalising their achievements.<\/p>\n
By taking the following action you can tackle \u2018Imposter Syndrome\u2019:<\/p>\n
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Acknowledge what you are dealing with<\/strong><\/p>\n When these destructive thoughts and feelings emerge, recognise them as such. It will be easier to manage these feelings and thoughts once you know what they are.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Change your mental programming <\/strong><\/p>\n Think about whether or not there is any real evidence for your feelings of inadequacy. Are all these feelings and thoughts just in your head? Actively rephrase your thoughts. Substitute \u2018I don\u2019t know anything\u2019 for \u2018I don\u2019t know everything, but that is to be expected because I am still learning\u2019. Nobody is ever expected to know it all.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n