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According to a recent survey conducted by Moovijob.com, 80% of workers in Luxembourg have already experienced impostor syndrome at work.
"Legitimacy does not depend on a person’s age or seniority within an organisation, but on their skills, the work they put in and the value they bring."
What is impostor syndrome?
It is the feeling of not belonging, of feeling that you do not deserve your success, or that you are less competent than others.
It can be linked to the feeling of having responsibilities that are too great for your level of expertise, or a salary that is too high in relation to the work you do. It can also stem from comparing yourself with your colleagues, when you feel less qualified than they are.
How does impostor syndrome manifest itself?
Impostor syndrome often occurs in a professional context, particularly at the beginning of a career, when you have little experience and feel that you do not belong. This is what one respondent to our survey experienced, having only recently started working in communications:
"Going straight from studying to a position with real responsibilities creates a sudden shift. I am expected to deliver professional results, while I still feel as though I am in a learning phase."
Indeed, as education and studies become increasingly lengthy, it can be difficult to make the transition into the world of work, particularly if you have not had the opportunity to complete many practical internships. After spending many years studying a particular field, you may feel that you have acquired all the skills needed to work in that profession. Yet, in reality, things are often very different. So, when you cannot do everything straight away, it is common to feel that you do not belong.
Age also plays an important role in our sense of legitimacy. It can sometimes be difficult to feel that you belong when you are the youngest person in the room, although being older does not necessarily mean being more competent. One person who took part in our survey found themselves in this situation:
"I remember important meetings where I was often the youngest person around the table. There were times when I wondered whether I really belonged there. One situation particularly stayed with me: during an internal meeting, someone asked me who I needed to check a point with, even though it was within my remit and I was actually responsible for the department concerned. At the time, it reinforced the feeling that I constantly had to prove my legitimacy."
Sometimes, you may also feel overqualified or overpaid for your position, particularly when starting a new job. The responsibilities outlined during the recruitment process may turn out to be much simpler once you actually take up the role. One respondent to our survey found themselves in this situation:
"The position presented during the interview process seemed to be a high-impact, strategic management role with extensive project ownership. Because of the scope that had been presented, I negotiated a salary that reflected these high expectations, even though it was below my previous salary range, because the responsibilities of the role were particularly attractive. However, once I started the job, the reality turned out to be far more basic and static than what had been presented to me. My impostor syndrome started when I felt that I was being overpaid and had a job title that was too prestigious compared with a reality that, for the time being, required far less of me than what I had been recruited for."
How can you overcome impostor syndrome?
The first way to fight impostor syndrome is to recognise your skills and achievements. You need to know what you are capable of and acknowledge your accomplishments on a daily basis. If it can be difficult to internalise these naturally, you can also write them down and, for example, review the tasks you have completed at the end of each week.
Above all, it is also important to remember that you are not less legitimate than someone else simply because you have less experience, as one person we contacted following our survey explains:
"Legitimacy does not depend on a person’s age or seniority within an organisation, but on their skills, the work they put in and the value they bring."
Sometimes, the best way to overcome impostor syndrome is also to be able to rely on someone else and to have a strong support network around you. Receiving positive feedback, praise or thanks from colleagues or managers can help you feel that you belong and realise that your work is valued and recognised. This is the case for one respondent to our survey:
"I do not hesitate to ask my manager lots of questions, including about things that may seem obvious. I am lucky that she is supportive and sees this as a sign of thoroughness rather than a lack of competence. It helps me accept that asking questions is part of learning, not a failure."
Indeed, talking about how you feel can also significantly reduce the effects of impostor syndrome. Firstly, talking about it helps you realise that you are not alone and that many people experience it, including people who may appear highly competent or confident.
Similarly, taking a step back and looking at the situation from an outside perspective can help put things into perspective. People tend to be harder on themselves than they are on others. This is the approach used by Axelle, who works in marketing:
"For my part, I try to discipline myself by forcing myself to think positively and always try to look on the bright side. Taking a step back can also help. I always ask myself what I would say if it were a friend who was putting themselves down like that."
Impostor syndrome is a complex feeling, yet it is very common. It is not easy to feel that you are good enough or to have confidence in your abilities, but remember that you are trusted for good reasons and that you are not where you are by chance.
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