IDEAS INTO ACTION
BEATING THE IMPOSTOR SYNDROME
IDEAS INTO ACTION SERIES
Aimed at managers and executives who are concerned with their own and others development, each book in this series gives specific advice on how to complete a developmental task or solve a leadership problem.
LEAD CONTRIBUTORS
Portia Mount and Susan Tardanico
SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR
Rie Ingold
CONTRIBUTOR
Sophia Zhao
DIRECTOR OF ASSESSMENTS, TOOLS, AND PUBLICATIONS
Sylvester Taylor
MANAGER, PUBLICATION DEVELOPMENT
Peter Scisco
EDITOR
Stephen Rush
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Shaun Martin
DESIGN, LAYOUT, AND COVER DESIGN
Ed Morgan, navybluedesign.com
RIGHTS AND PERMISSIONS
Kelly Lombardino
Copyright ©2014 Center for Creative Leadership.
All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Printed in the United States of America.
CCL No. 00464
ISBN No. 978-1-60491-529-7
Center for Creative Leadershipwww.ccl.org
IDEAS INTO ACTION
BEATING THE IMPOSTOR SYNDROME
Portia Mount
Susan Tardanico
IDEAS INTO ACTION SERIES
This series of books draws on the practical knowledge that the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) has generated since its inception in 1970. The purpose of the series is to provide leaders with specific advice on how to complete a developmental task or solve a leadership challenge. CCL’s researchers and educators work together to understand and generate practical responses to the ever-changing circumstances of leadership and organizational challenges. Our proven and cutting edge ideas serve leaders and organizations around the world, who put those ideas into action every day. We believe you will find the Ideas Into Action series of books an important addition to your leadership toolkit.
CONTENTS
How Impostor Syndrome Affects You
How Impostor Syndrome Affects Others
Step 2: Challenge Your Limiting Beliefs
Step 3: Get Clear on Your Strengths
In Brief
The Impostor Syndrome is a well-researched, well-documented phenomenon that occurs when successful and intelligent professionals feel they do not deserve their accomplishments and that they have faked their way to success. This syndrome can cause negative stress, fear, anxiety, loss of confidence, and can eventually lead to derailment. However, by overcoming inaccurate beliefs about yourself and your abilities, you can overcome the Impostor Syndrome and enjoy a more fulfilling career.
First, you should focus on the facts of your success, and document what skills and techniques you possess helped you achieve those successes. Next, you should identify and challenge your limiting beliefs. These beliefs may hold you back from really owning your accomplishments, because they give you an inaccurate picture of what success actually looks like. Then, you should get clear on the strengths you possess, instead of just focusing on your weaknesses, and take the time to maximize and showcase those strengths. Finally, you should talk to others to help obtain a clearer picture of your skills and your accomplishments. Additional perspectives can help you see the flaws in your own perspective, and give you the information you need in order to accurately view yourself as competent.
By completing these four steps, you can overcome the debilitating nature of the Impostor Syndrome, and truly embrace your accomplishments and abilities.
AreYOUan IMPOSTOR?
Career experts and mental health professionals call it the “Impostor Syndrome.” Successful and intelligent leaders who have earned promotions, accolades, and recognition from their bosses, their peers, and their teams feel, deep down, like frauds. They worry that it’s only a matter of time before they are found out and their colleagues question their abilities.
Leaders who exhibit the Impostor Syndrome share many traits. They are typically ambitious, high-achieving individuals who believe they have not earned success. They frequently
