Imagine being a young, talented individual who has been rising in the ranks of your profession with praises for your hard work and intelligence. However, despite these achievements, there is an incessant voice in your head that tells you you're not good enough, the success isn't deserved, and soon everyone will find out you are a fraud. This feeling is known as imposter syndrome. An illustrious professional who navigated through this psychological pattern is Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook, highlighting that even the most successful individuals could encounter imposter syndrome.
Imposter Syndrome refers to a psychological pattern where an individual doubts their abilities or accomplishments and has a perpetual fear of being exposed as a 'fraud.’ Often, it is experienced by high-achieving individuals who find it hard to acknowledge their success.
Even as the COO of Facebook, Sheryl Sandberg confessed to experiencing imposter syndrome. She attributed her success to external factors like luck or help from others and found it hard to internalize or accept praises for personally earned achievements.
Embrace Feeling Like a Fraud: Sandberg preached that it's okay to feel insecure, as long as these feelings don't hold you back. Acknowledge the feelings but focus on the tasks at hand.
Seek Peer Support: Sandberg was a forthright advocate for finding comfort in companionship. She encouraged conversation about these feelings with peers, allowing for shared experiences and mutual support.
Celebrate Success: Sandberg implored individuals to embrace their achievements rather than downplay them. Recognize your accomplishments and take pride in them.
Develop Resilience: Sandberg championed resilience and perseverance as critical assets. She expressed the importance of not letting self-doubt prevent you from achieving your goals.
Imposter Syndrome, while common, can be an impediment to personal and professional growth. Taking a leaf from Sandberg's book, acknowledging the syndrome and addressing it actively can help suppress the self-doubt. This includes acknowledgement, seeking support, celebrating success and, most importantly, developing resilience. Despite how intimidating it seems, remember that even the highest-achieving professionals have faced this syndrome and successfully navigated through it.