Unlock the benefits of imposter syndrome

I once worked with the founder of a rapidly growing startup who used to feel out of place and insecure when networking with industry veterans. She often found herself in rooms filled with more seasoned professionals, grappling with self-doubt and questioning her ability to hold her own in conversations. Despite her success, she felt like she didn’t belong and struggled with imposter syndrome.

In our discussions, I encouraged her to shift her perspective – to view networking not as a platform for proving herself but as a chance to learn. With time and practice, she began asking insightful questions and engaging in discussions with an attitude of curiosity. Gradually, she started to genuinely enjoy networking and found herself forming strong connections and unlocking new opportunities. As she embraced a different approach, she found that she could overcome those feelings of self-doubt.

At some point in our lives, most of us grapple with the gnawing sensation of being a fraud – a deep-seated belief that we are fooling others about our capabilities. This pervasive experience, known as imposter syndrome, often casts a shadow over us and can cripple our self-confidence. However, new research suggests that it has surprising benefits and can, in fact, be turned into an advantage.

Imposter syndrome is the nagging feeling that you don’t really know what you’re doing, combined with the fear of being found out as a fraud.  It has been seen as an impediment, something to be overcome and vanquished. It cuts across countries and cultures, with some experts estimating that at least 70% of people experience this feeling. Imposter thinking tends to spike during crucial moments such as when you start a new job, take on a different role, are faced with a big challenge or are thrust out of your comfort zone.

Interestingly, success isn’t an antidote. In fact, being a high achiever makes you more likely to grapple with imposter syndrome. There may be a few reasons for this. Firstly, high achievers are more conscious of their flaws, limitations and knowledge gaps. As Aristotle said, “The more you know, the more you know you don’t know”! Then, there’s the fact that success brings you in close and constant contact with other top performers. Your peer group is composed of the best and brightest, which can cause you to question your own abilities.

The imposter edge

"There is a belief that imposter syndrome is detrimental to job performance, but there is no evidence to support this view to date. On the other hand, there is emerging evidence that feelings of fraudulence may actually elevate performance."

In one study, doctors-in-training with imposter syndrome were found to be better at asking questions, showing empathy and sharing information with patients. In another, job candidates primed for imposter thoughts demonstrated stronger interpersonal skills. As Basima A. Tewfik, an assistant professor at MIT Sloan who has run multiple such studies, explains:

Research shows that experiencing [imposter syndrome] can make you more adept at relationships, which is a key ingredient in career success… Essentially, imposter thoughts make you more “other oriented” — more attuned to other people’s perceptions and feelings — which makes you more likable.

Anecdotal evidence also suggests that imposter syndrome makes us more open to new possibilities and supercharges our learning journey. Questioning our own knowledge and skills paves the way to educating ourselves, seeking guidance, and considering ideas that may run contrary to our assumptions.

The right amount of imposter thinking could also play a role in motivating us to do our best work. This is similar to the notion of ‘healthy stress’. Up to a point, an increase in stress leads to an increase in performance — a phenomenon known as Yerkes-Dodson Law. While the concept of ‘healthy imposter syndrome’ hasn’t arrived yet, it could certainly be on the horizon!

The other side of the coin

The Dunning-Kruger Effect is often called the opposite of imposter syndrome. This is a cognitive bias in which people with limited knowledge and skills in a particular domain greatly overestimate their competence level. When people confidently apply their abilities to issues they’re ill-equipped to handle, the results can be disastrous.

The other opposite of imposter thinking is complacency. This, too, is a risky place to be. Uncritical satisfaction with our achievements sounds like the death knell for personal growth and innovation. It also leads to poor judgment and mistakes, eventually snowballing into full-blown crises.

Fakery vs. authenticity

Going against our long-held inclinations and behaviours can make us feel inauthentic, thereby triggering imposter syndrome. This is why some people prefer to stick with their familiar “this is who I am” work style, no matter the circumstances.

However, as London Business School professor Herminia Ibarra points out in her Harvard Business Review article, few modern-day jobs have the luxury of status quo. Most of us (especially those on the leadership track) will need to move out of our comfort zones multiple times in our careers, whether due to personal advancement or company/industry shifts.

In such a scenario, imposter syndrome is a necessary side-effect of progress. You feel like a fake because, well, you are! At least at the beginning. This is because, as Ibarra notes:

Learning, by definition, starts with unnatural and often superficial behaviors that can make us feel calculating instead of genuine and spontaneous. But the only way to avoid being pigeonholed and ultimately become better leaders is to do the things that a rigidly authentic sense of self would keep us from doing.

Self-doubt & entrepreneurship

In his enlightening (and highly entertaining) TED Talk, Mike Cannon-Brookes, the co-founder and co-CEO of software company Atlassian, takes us into the imposter mind of many an entrepreneur, recounting his self-doubting journey over the years. Even after garnering big wins, receiving multiple accolades and gaining global recognition, Cannon-Brookes continued to feel like a fraud. In the end, he shares a vital lesson:

I knew well that I was an imposter. I knew I was miles out of my depth. But instead of freezing, I tried to learn as much as I could, motivated by my fear of generally looking like an idiot, and tried to turn that into some sort of a force for good.

This nugget of practical wisdom offered by Cannon-Brookes is a great starting point for those who want to lean into their feelings of inadequacy and leverage them for success.

Harnessing imposter syndrome

Here are five suggestions to help you turn your imposter thoughts into an advantage:

1. Embrace your imposter-hood.

Even the most successful people experience feelings of phoniness and many have admitted as much, including Nobel Laureates! Albert Einstein saw himself as an “involuntary swindler”, while Maya Angelou was convinced that “one day soon, the jig would be up”. So remember, if you feel like a fraud sometimes, you’re in excellent company. Instead of struggling to banish these uncomfortable thoughts, accept them and start working with

2. Let self-scepticism spur you on.

To compensate for their self-doubt, many self-reported imposters become lifelong learners. When you let go of the negativity associated with imposter feelings and instead lean into them, you enter a state of ‘confident humility’. You’re well aware that there’s plenty you don’t know — but at the same time, you believe in your ability to learn.

Sidestepping the dangers of both hubris and complacency, this growth-oriented mindset redirects your energy towards closing the perceived knowledge and competence gap. By keeping your ego in check, imposter syndrome also primes you to question your assumptions and explore new horizons.

3. ‘Fake it’ till you own it.

If a career advancement or change pushes you out of your comfort zone into behaviours that feel unfamiliar and phony, strive for what Ibarra calls ‘adaptive authenticity’. This calls for a playful, fluid mindset:

Think of leadership development as trying on possible selves rather than working on yourself — which, let’s face it, sounds like drudgery. When we adopt a playful attitude, we’re more open to possibilities. It’s OK to be inconsistent from one day to the next. That’s not being a fake; it’s how we experiment to figure out what’s right for the new challenges and circumstances we face.

Ibarra recommends drawing on work styles and tactics from diverse role models. Try out different elements that appeal to you and ‘fake it’ until they feel comfortable and become part of your own authentic self. (Do keep in mind that ‘faking it’ here refers to coming off as confident, credible and competent — not pretending to have technical skills or knowledge that you lack.)

4. Sharpen your communication game.

Feeling out of your depth during a meeting or conversation? Instead of getting stuck in your head, channel your doubts constructively into the interaction. Ask questions to elicit more information. Solicit other people’s opinions and ideas. Share the facts you do Strong interpersonal skills are a natural benefit of imposter syndrome. Harness them actively to give your career a lasting boost.

5. Manage your imposter self.

Keep your imposter feelings at a healthy level. Occasionally thinking “I don’t know what I’m doing and someone’s going to figure it out” is different from constantly obsessing “I’m a failure, I don’t deserve my success, I’m terrified of being exposed”. Be aware of the difference. If dread becomes your regular state of mind, it’s time to seriously work on bringing your imposter syndrome into check.

Some feelings of inadequacy are normal, especially during moments of career progression or change. Instead of trying to stamp out imposter syndrome when it arises, or becoming overly anxious about it, work on channelling your self-doubt in constructive ways. Making friends with your inner fraud can enhance learning, communication and innovation — all of which come together to deliver greater success.