By: Jaimie Glatt
Have you ever felt like you were the “Only One” in the room? In this moment, did you feel stereotyped and caged by your age, gender, race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability? Competition and toxic achievement can lead to high levels of anxiety, self-doubt and a psychological phenomenon defined as Imposter Syndrome. VeryWellMind.com defines Imposter Syndrome as an internal experience of believing that you are not as competent as others perceive you to be. No matter how you differ, you can find freedom in being yourself.
The ignoring of my comments as the youngest and only black woman in executive meetings, the strange looks at my hair by my white counterparts, and the selective invites to particular professional development opportunities were just a few examples where the self-doubt set in more deeply in my subconscious over 4 years. While I acknowledged the imposter, it was not until my body started to experience physical symptoms that I recognized the impact Imposter Syndrome has on the body.
In a Ted Talk, ethnographer and leadership expert, Simon Sinek describes the impact of poor connection and the impact of broken trust in the workplace. These chemicals can play a vital role in Imposter Syndrome. He describes the happiness breakdown in chemicals:
Serotonin- Confidence Booster, that comes with pride and recognition in the workplace.
Oxytocin- Intense feeling that someone has your back. This chemical prevents addiction and increases creativity.
Cortisol- Simon described this as a “Feeling of stress and anxiety, and first stage of fight or flight, and a feeling when you do not feel safe or feel you belong. Cortisol shuts off the immune system and is not supposed to be in your body all of the time. It is supposed to go in and out. It makes one hyper tuned for danger and increases the heart rate like crazy to keep us alive.”
Have you been working at your job with high levels of cortisol? Does feeling nervous, increased heart rate, sweating, breathing rapidly and worry feel like a new normal? According to Mayo Clinic, you could be experiencing signs of anxiety, which is a risk factor of Imposter Syndrome.
It’s important that you know that although you may feel ostracized right now in your current environment, you are a part of a larger community. Surprisingly, according to Medical News Today, “Psychologists first described the syndrome in 1978. According to a 2020 review, 9%–82% of people experience impostor syndrome.
Now that you know what Imposter Syndrome here are a three tips for combating Imposter Syndrome.
Challenge negative thoughts by celebrating current achievements. Whether we are talking about the accomplishing of a goal, completion of a project or simply breaking a habit, it’s important that current achievements are celebrated.
Recall past successes. It’s difficult when we are in the midst of struggle to remember that we have overcome challenges in the past and know how to do hard things. It’s important to take stock regularly so that when a challenge arises it’s easier to remember past triumphs.
Participate in some form of cognitive-behavioral therapy. While no one is saying that therapy is a must, it’s often the key to unlocking blocks and creating lasting change.
Imposter Syndrome doesn’t have to keep you from succeeding and thriving and experiencing freedom in your workplace. You can experience the joy (Serotonin) and peace (Oxytocin) not only in your workplace but in your personal life as well. We are the experts of our own experience, and in speaking up and connecting in community, we not only free ourselves, but we free someone else who feels caged in their experience.