Imposter Syndrome: How to Recognize and OvercomeThat Little Voice in Your Head

Author

Michelle Loving, CCEP, Director of Conference Services, University of the Ozarks, Clarksville, Arkansas

You are not alone, we have all heard it, that little voice in our head. The one that tells us we are not good enough, not smart enough, not focused enough. The one that wakes you up at 4:00 am to remind you of all the things you have done wrong in your life. It is the voice of our fears and uncertainties, and it can be debilitating to our careers and personal lives.

​While we may not be able to get rid of that voice entirely there are things that we can do to change the narrative and improve our mental wellbeing. Before we can adjust our mental thoughts we must first understand what Imposter Syndrome is and how it manifests.

What is Imposter Syndrome:
Imposter syndrome affects many professionals across many different industries, but it can be prominent in roles that require adaptability, creativity, or constant public visibility. Careers in higher education and event planning can be prime breeding grounds for imposter syndrome.

Imposter Syndrome was first coined by psychologists Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes who noticed highly successful women reported feelings of unworthiness despite their academic and professional success. Imposter syndrome is a psychological pattern sometimes found in successful professionals who feel their talents, skills, or accomplishments are not genuine. They often feel like a fraud despite evidence to the contrary. In many cases they dismiss their success as luck, timing, or deception. Although the original term was based on professional women, current studies indicate that imposter syndrome can be found in diverse demographics. Imposter syndrome does not discriminate based on gender, ethnicity, race, age, or social influences.

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