Beating the Impostor Syndrome. Portia Mount

a lack of confidence, and anxiety. These feelings often manifest as procrastination, risk aversion, and workaholism. Imagined impostors are also reluctant to ask questions for fear of appearing unintelligent. Such constraints negatively affect job performance and satisfaction for leaders at all levels, from individual contributors to members of an organization’s executive team.

       Furthermore, negative and self-defeating thoughts can keep even the most highly respected leaders from developing their skills and talents. These missed career opportunities diminish contributions for those leaders, their teams, their organizations, and their communities.

       The Impostor Syndrome can also lead to overwhelming negative stress, which plays out in a number of ways, such as sleeplessness and a weakened immune system. Additionally, the intense fear and stress experienced by imagined impostors create blurred work-life boundaries because those affected feel they must work 24/7 to keep their faux incompetence from being exposed. They believe there is no choice: work must take precedence over all else.

How IMPOSTOR SYNDROME Affects OTHERS

       Let’s begin with an example of the impact of the Impostor Syndrome on the people you lead. Clare is the executive vice president of a large, successful company and has nine direct reports. In a recent culture survey conducted by the company, her direct reports described their working environment as “disempowering,” “demotivating,” and “lacking in trust.” These descriptors were so dramatically different from the results of other corporate functions that Clare’s organization brought in consultants to help Clare and her peers figure out what was going on.