10 ways to stop imposter syndrome for yourself and your employees

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First things first, you have to recognise and identify the warning signs. It’s also crucial to have psychological support in place.

When you start a new job, or achieve a new position in your career, have you ever doubted your ability/competencies in handling your role? You are not alone, as over 60% of workers in the UK have the same experience.

Dubbed ‘Imposter Syndrome’, Solopress’ latest research found that people in Manchester seem to have the greatest concern among surveyed cities in the UK.

*While the survey was conducted in the UK, HRO believes the results remain relevant to our readership in Asia.

Using Google search volume data to calculate the average monthly searches for imposter syndrome per 10,000 people in the 30 most populous UK cities, there were 22 average searches per 10,000 Mancunians every month, followed by those living in Leeds (15), Birmingham (13) and London (13).

The top 10 UK Cities that experience the most imposter syndrome

Chantal Gautier, Senior Lecturer in Psychology at The University of Westminster, suggested that the “most diverse and multicultural cities seem to be imposter syndrome hotspots”.

“One contributing factor is the intricate interplay between local demographics and socio-economic circumstances. Cities with higher imposter syndrome rates might exhibit a greater representation of women and minority groups in their labour force,” she said.

“It’s worth mentioning that London, Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds double as prominent University cities and research shows that imposter syndrome is not only confined to the professional realm, but students too, are susceptible to its effects, particularly those from minority backgrounds.”

Interestingly, three port cities known for heavy industry experience the least imposter syndrome, which are Newport (less than 1 search per 10,000 people a month), Blackpool (2 searches) and Sunderland (3 searches), implying that imposter syndrome may be less common in manufacturing and logistics sectors where workers can see the physical result of their efforts, unlike in office work where the outcomes are often more abstract.

To allow yourself, as well as your employees, to be your best selves at work, it is crucial to overcome imposter syndrome and Gautier has shared the following tips:

Helping yourself

Recognise that you’re experiencing imposter syndrome
This will help you to identify negative thinking traps. Once you realise that imposter syndrome has caused you to become stuck in an unhelpful cycle of thoughts, you can use cognitive behavioural therapy techniques to help challenge those negative thoughts and turn your mood around.

Learn to ask for what you need
Asking for support is actually a sign of strength. Break the silence and seek out support as soon as you can to avoid a build-up of work and worry.

Be kind and compassionate to yourself
Remind yourself of successes and wins. Keep a list of your achievements and nice things and compliments people have said about you and your work – dig it out when imposter syndrome sets in.

Focus on self-validation versus external validation
When praise from others isn’t forthcoming, it can be time to look inside for some encouragement. Set realistic goals that challenge you and reward yourself for completing them.

Reframe negative self-talk
No one’s perfect, and mistakes do not equal failure. Try to regard learning experiences as growth, rather than a shortfall or skill deficit.

Supporting your employees

Create psychologically safe working climates
Colleagues will be more likely to open up about their vulnerabilities in a space where judgement is suspended in favour of a nurturing environment. Encourage conversations at all levels – people who struggle with imposter syndrome will benefit greatly from social interaction.

Encourage healthy work/life balances
Work is a big part of many people’s lives, but it should always be balanced with the individual’s need for rest and relaxation. Feelings of inadequacy spawned from imposter syndrome can lead to a vicious cycle in which individuals overwork, miss out on rest and struggle to perform.

Celebrate successes and avoid a blame culture
Foster environments that encourage growth, and succession planning. Don’t blame or punish people when they make mistakes.

Adopt mentoring and coaching practices
One-to-one guidance from more experienced colleagues can help those new to the workforce to feel supported.

Spotting imposter syndrome
Keep an eye on colleagues who seem to be struggling or show signs of anxiety. Look for warning signs such as withdrawal from team interactions, a tendency to overwork, or habitual procrastination. Recognising these red flags can be the first step in offering support and addressing the issue.

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