Three ways to overcome imposter syndrome

BY HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW  JULY 12 2016

One of the greatest barriers to moving outside your comfort zone is the fear that you are a poser — that you are not worthy, that you could not possibly be qualified to do whatever you are aiming to do. It is a common fear: impostor syndrome. Here are three things you can do to overcome these feelings of inadequacy.

1. Recognise the benefits of being a novice: You might not realise it, but there are great benefits to being new in your field. When you are not steeped in the conventional wisdom of a given profession, you can approach problems in ways others have not thought of.

2. Adopt a learning mindset: Focus more on what you are learning than on how you are performing. With a performance mindset, which people suffering from impostor syndrome often have, you tend to see your feelings of inadequacy or the mistakes you make as evidence of your underlying limitations. This mindset only fuels the concerns you have about being unfit for your job. Instead, work to cultivate a learning mindset. From this perspective, your limitations are an inevitable part of the learning process rather than more evidence of your failings.

3. Understand the power of perspective: People who experience impostor syndrome often feel as if they are the only ones feeling this way, but the reality is very different. According to a recent survey by Vantage Hill Partners, being found incompetent is the number one fear of executives worldwide. So if you are feeling like an impostor, chances are that others in your situation feel exactly the same way.