The Remedy For Imposter Syndrome In The Workplace

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Hi, friends 👋🏼👋🏼 So today, we are going to be chatting about imposter syndrome in the workplace. What it is, how to squash it – the whole shebang.

And if you have zero idea what in the world I'm talking about right now, imposter syndrome is pretty much those feelings of "I do not belong here!" and/or "I cannot do this!" you may feel when first starting a new job.

And as a survivor of imposter syndrome myself, I can confirm: feeling like a fraud at work makes working a real fuckin’ drag.

Luckily, if you're suffering from imposter syndrome at your job, your condition isn't chronic. When treated accordingly, you'll find that imposter syndrome is actually an acute ailment – and the prognosis is great.

So maybe you're reading this post because you're actively suffering from a crippling bout of imposter syndrome and need help getting through it. Or maybe you're reading this because you're a planner who's about to start a new job, and you're anticipating some imposter syndrome of your own when you begin your new gig. (And if that's the case, good on you for being so proactive.)

Or maybe you're my mom or boyfriend – who will just faithfully read literally whatever I post.

Whatever your motivation for clicking into this post, I encourage you to read on. Because once you remedy imposter syndrome in the workplace, you’ll be free to crush it in the workplace once more, without those nagging "what the actual f did I do??” thoughts infecting your day-to-day life.

What even is "imposter syndrome in the workplace"?

By definition (thanks to our friends over at the National Institutes of Health), imposter syndrome is “self-doubt of intellect, skills, or accomplishments among high-achieving individuals.”

Or in other words, you feel like a phony.

And although imposter syndrome can exist in all aspects of life (❤️❤️), workplace imposter syndrome, specifically, is exceptionally widespread.

In fact, according to the Harvard Business Review, “nearly 70% of people have entertained impostor thoughts at least at one point in their careers.”

That’s a whole lotta freakin’ people.

So it's okay if you’re feeling like a fraud on the job (right now or in the future). Hopefully, you can take some solace in knowing that you aren’t alone.

Because misery loves company, right?

But here's some good news for ya. By following the tips I’m about to share, you’ll be able to squash imposter syndrome right in its... cubicle. (Yes, bad joke, I know).

And the, you can get back to what matters most: being the absolute rockstar employee you know you are. 💅🏼

Diagnosing imposter syndrome in the workplace

So if and when you're suffering from imposter syndrome, you'll probably know. After all, there are some pretty obvious signs and symptoms.

But if you're reading this post because you're still trying to determine whether or not you're currently suffering from imposter syndrome, let’s take a moment to self-diagnose and chat through the clearest signs and symptoms.

Symptom #1. You’re constantly wondering “WTF did I do???”

The most tell-tale sign you’re suffering from imposter syndrome is that you’re constantly wondering things like “WTF did I do???” – and/or any of the following:

“Why did I leave my job??”
Why did I take this new one??”
“Why did I think I could do this??”
“Am I CRAZY???”

And you won't wonder these things just once or twice. Rather, it'll be a running dialogue in your head – just a constant barrage of self-doubt questions.

So if you've got ever-present thoughts like these that you just can't kick, let's go ahead and put one tally in the "you've got imposter syndrome" column.

Symptom #2. A general feeling of inadequacy.

In addition to wondering “WTF did I do??”, you may also also feel like – no matter what! – you just cannot do this job.

Whether it’s because you think you lack the intelligence to do the job, or the skillset, or the personality, or the competence, or the whatever… Those feelings of inadequacy will be real.

For example, when I started my new position, I constantly doubted my ability to fulfill my job duties for those first few weeks. It was just so much to learn, so much to know, so much to remember, so much to do. And I vividly remember feeling like I would never figure it out.

But that was just the imposter syndrome talking – because it wasn't true. In time, I figured things out and pulled my shit together... and those fictional inadequacies descended right back to the depths of hell, where they belonged…

Symptom #3. Feeling lost or out of place.

The final key symptom is that you'll likely feel lost or out of place.

Physically lost, mentally lost, spiritually lost, whatever. If you're suffering from imposter syndrome in the workplace, you'll likely feel as though you have zero idea what is going on... at all times.

And not just like, "Where's the bathroom" lost? (Although I distinctly remember finding the bathroom feeling like such an insurmountable obstacle on my first day at my current job.)

When you're suffering from imposter syndrome, you'll likely feel like you just have no idea where anything is – physically (such as conference rooms, office supplies, and printers) or digitally (such as files, local networks, and VPNs).

And this sense of “SOS, I can’t find X!” just adds so much freakin’ fuel to that “you’re an imposter!” fire.

Curing imposter syndrome in the workplace

There's no denying that imposter syndrome sucks. But luckily, it isn’t incurable.

So if you’ve self-diagnosed yourself with imposter syndrome in the workplace, here are some actionable tips and remedies to cure it.

First, remember why you got the job. At the end of the day, you were the best candidate.

Sure, nepotism exists. And sometimes people get jobs simply because they know the right person. There’s no denying that.

But at the end of the day, companies will never go with an objectively- and excessively-incompetent candidate simply because they know the right person.

(Well, never say never. But if this is common practice, maybe that ain’t the company for you, friend.)

For that reason, the first natural remedy is to simply remind yourself that you were the best candidate for the position.

After all, there's something empowering in knowing that you were chosen for a job because something about you gave everyone around you the impression that you’d be able to fulfill the job duties.

So the next time you’re sipping on that self-doubt/self-pity cocktail, pause for a sec, set down the metaphorical drink, and remind yourself that you were the best candidate for the role.

Next, use those self-affirmations, queen.

Okay, I know that positive self-talk is corny as fuck (I can feel your eyes rolling at the screen). But there’s no denying that self-affirmations work.

After I finished onboarding at my new job – and was off galavanting through the cyber world of Zoom calls – I was constantly hyping myself up before customer calls with positive self-affirmations.

And you know what? It worked. Because if you tell yourself enough times that something is true, you’ll eventually start to believe it.

(How else do you think Trump supporters became so delusional??)

But if you’re not a naturally self-hyping individual – and you’re in need of some ideas – here were some of my favorite self-hype mantras:

“You are a bad bitch.”
“You’re being crazy.”
And my personal favorite: “If [insert unnamed former boss’s name here] was capable of doing that job, I’m more than capable of doing this.”

💡 Pro Tip: Put your affirmations on a sticky note and stick them to your laptop. It may seem silly, but the visual reminders that you’re actually a 🪨⭐ works wonders.

Although I’d advise against libeling your former supervisor.

Finally, you’ve just gotta power through it.

Unfortunately, you won’t be able to cure your imposter syndrome overnight. That’s why, at the end of the day, you're just gonna have to power through it.

In other words: Fake it 'til ya make it, right?

But I guarantee that with enough time and determination, you’ll come to realize that you really are qualified enough, able-minded enough, competent enough, whatever enough to do the job you’ve been offered.

And once that mental switch flips, whew. It’ll be game over for imposter syndrome, baby.

You'll be right back to your happy and healthy non-imposter self, absolutely ready to carpe diem all over your work days once again.

A positive prognosis

Imposter syndrome in the workplace sucks. I get it. But the good news is that it’s not a permanent state of well-being.

Or rather… unwell-being.

But once you squash imposter syndrome in its stinky little tracks, you’ll be able to get right back to living your best ~professional~ life once again.

So now, I’m wondering: Have you experienced imposter syndrome in the workplace before? If so, what are your best tips for overcoming it? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.