Fraud Alert: How to Silence Your Inner Imposter
Let’s be honest. Women have been told they're not good enough for their entire lives. They're expected to juggle countless roles, maintain impossible standards, break glass ceilings that still hover, and all while earning less than men who hold similar roles.
It doesn’t take a communications genius to understand that if someone hears a message enough times, they're likely to internalize it and eventually believe it. Even highly skilled and experienced PR pros can often fall into this trap.
It’s no wonder that a recent survey by PushFar found four out of five PR and marketing professionals—the majority of whom happen to be women—have experienced imposter syndrome in the workplace. Characterized by persistent feelings of inadequacy, fraud or self-doubt when it comes to one’s successes and accomplishments, imposter syndrome is often associated with high-performing individuals.
Even 20-plus years into a successful PR career, I admit that I still struggle with imposter phenomenon, as it’s also called. The weird thing is, I would never talk to my friends, colleagues or clients in the same critical, judgmental and unforgiving voice that lives inside my head. I would not repeatedly question whether they truly deserve the accolades they received, the promotion they asked for, the speaking opportunity they were accepted for, or the raise they got. And, I certainly wouldn’t question whether they were good enough when all evidence suggests they are actually freaking incredible.
Breaking the Imposter Syndrome Cycle
Imposter syndrome is highly personal. Those who struggle with it may even sabotage their careers by obsessing over unimportant details, withdrawing from others, or burning out. If you, too, are a communications professional who experiences imposter phenomenon, the good news is that you have the power to break the cycle of being so hard on yourself.
First, start by asking yourself those journalistic “who, what, when, where, why and how” questions we all know so well. Get curious and reflect upon your own answers to chart your unique course to confidence.
Who are the people that trigger imposterism for me?
What do my reputation and track record of results suggest about my ability to be successful?
When do I feel most inadequate?
Where can I seek another perspective?
Why do I give others more credit than I give myself?
How can my mentors and colleagues be helpful and/or hold me accountable?
Then, as themes emerge in your answers, consider digging deeper with nudges like:
What’s at stake for me?
How does that make me feel?
What’s behind that?
How does that belief/habit/mindset serve me?
What else comes to mind?
Finally, sit with your thoughts and identify the root cause of the interference, or whatever is in the way of achieving your full potential. Just as you would seek to influence key audiences in your work, set SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound) goals to help change your mindset.
Find more support by enlisting a trusted mentor, executive coach or therapist to hold up a more realistic mirror to see how accomplished you truly are. Only when you reclaim your own narrative can you authentically reframe your inner-monologue from “I’m not good enough” to “I am confident in my talent, skills and experience to succeed.” Doing so will free you from self-limiting beliefs and transform you into the internal champion you never knew you needed—and most definitely deserve.
Originally published in PR News.