I struggle with this one a lot. I think the concept of "imposter syndrome" is a very real thing. I've talked highly-qualified colleagues and family members through it. However, I have also seen people claiming imposter syndrome when they are actually sensing a very real skills deficit that could be addressed. They're just so terrified of being seen as incompetent that they're afraid to ask for help.
I think it comes back to just about anything else in the field of psychology. How is it affecting your life? Is it causing you to freeze up, withdraw, get defensive, or give up? Or is it causing you to move toward positive improvement in healthy ways?
I've developed a kind of flow chart to address this feeling when it comes up in my own life. If I feel like I have somehow "snuck" my way into a job/position that I'm not qualified for, can I take concrete steps to improve my skills in the areas where I feel a deficit? Is adding that to my schedule realistic and healthy? If so, I work on the skills.
On the other hand, if I can't identify what/how I need to improve (or if I'm already working on skills and still feel overwhelmed), maybe I really did get myself into a position that I'm not prepared for! At that point, it's a question of whether there actually is a more qualified person available (maybe I'm the best they could find!), and whether anyone is actually harmed by mediocre work done by the most qualified person available. Sometimes, this is the point where you realize that contacting a mentor for advice is a good idea.
If that doesn't bring me to a clear understanding of where the feeling is coming from and how to best address it, that becomes an issue to bring up for processing in therapy. Because it definitely could just be garden-variety anxiety. :)
"However, I have also seen people claiming imposter syndrome when they are actually sensing a very real skills deficit that could be addressed. They're just so terrified of being seen as incompetent that they're afraid to ask for help."
I have been the person realizing they have a skills deficit and when I asked for help, I got no support and then was asked to leave the job. The fear is real.
I totally get that! I have been there too. I just have realized that the fear doesn't ultimately fix anything. If it's that kind of environment, chances are good that anyone who values collaboration is not going to do well there anyway. But it's hard to convince the monkey mind of that!
I struggle with this one a lot. I think the concept of "imposter syndrome" is a very real thing. I've talked highly-qualified colleagues and family members through it. However, I have also seen people claiming imposter syndrome when they are actually sensing a very real skills deficit that could be addressed. They're just so terrified of being seen as incompetent that they're afraid to ask for help.
I think it comes back to just about anything else in the field of psychology. How is it affecting your life? Is it causing you to freeze up, withdraw, get defensive, or give up? Or is it causing you to move toward positive improvement in healthy ways?
I've developed a kind of flow chart to address this feeling when it comes up in my own life. If I feel like I have somehow "snuck" my way into a job/position that I'm not qualified for, can I take concrete steps to improve my skills in the areas where I feel a deficit? Is adding that to my schedule realistic and healthy? If so, I work on the skills.
On the other hand, if I can't identify what/how I need to improve (or if I'm already working on skills and still feel overwhelmed), maybe I really did get myself into a position that I'm not prepared for! At that point, it's a question of whether there actually is a more qualified person available (maybe I'm the best they could find!), and whether anyone is actually harmed by mediocre work done by the most qualified person available. Sometimes, this is the point where you realize that contacting a mentor for advice is a good idea.
If that doesn't bring me to a clear understanding of where the feeling is coming from and how to best address it, that becomes an issue to bring up for processing in therapy. Because it definitely could just be garden-variety anxiety. :)
Totally agree 💯 %‼️
"However, I have also seen people claiming imposter syndrome when they are actually sensing a very real skills deficit that could be addressed. They're just so terrified of being seen as incompetent that they're afraid to ask for help."
I have been the person realizing they have a skills deficit and when I asked for help, I got no support and then was asked to leave the job. The fear is real.
I totally get that! I have been there too. I just have realized that the fear doesn't ultimately fix anything. If it's that kind of environment, chances are good that anyone who values collaboration is not going to do well there anyway. But it's hard to convince the monkey mind of that!