Imposter Syndrome

Definition

Imposter Syndrome or Imposter Phenomenon according to Google’s AI function is the a psychological experience involving chronic self-doubt and the persistent, internalised fear of being exposed as a "fraud". Despite clear evidence of success and competence, individuals with this phenomenon attribute their achievements to luck or timing rather than their own abilities.

It was first coined in the 1978 by psychologists Clare and Imes and was found to be prevalent amongst high achieving women, although that is not to say that it is a uniquely female experience. Men also suffer from imposter syndrome.

Types of Imposter Syndrome

In 2019, 5 types of imposter syndrome where further identified:

1. The perfectionist - The belief that competence is defined by perfection and anything less than is considered a failure. The focus is on what could have been done better

2. Natural Genius - Competence is measured how easily any achievement/success comes to them. Hard work and perseverance is viewed negatively as success should have been easier.

3. Superman/Superwomen - Competence is the ability to do many things at once and be successful at all of them. Falling short in one area is considered a failure.

4. Expert - Competence is based on volume of knowledge and skill possessed. Being exposed as inexperience and lacking knowledge is considered a failure.

5. Soloist - Competence is measured by being successful on their own. Asking for help is considered a failure.

   
   

If you’re reading this thinking that this is starting to feel like a strange personality quiz that you used to find in the back of teen vogue then you’re definitely not alone.

A couple of years ago I managed to blag myself on to a JCMT course. The JCMT or Jonathon Conville Memorial Trust is an organisation which funds young people to spend time with a mountain guide in order to gain experience in mountaineering, a hobby which otherwise is reserved for wealthy thrill seekers. It was a relatively straightforward application process where I had to fill in a janky google form about my previous experience and what I hoped to gain from the experience. 6 months later I found myself in a campsite full of enthusiastic and privileged Brits in Argentière at the top of the Chamonix valley.

My career at the time felt precarious and I felt insignificant in my role. I was an Outdoor instructor at a relatively big centre. My peers were majority boys in their early to mid-twenties who could seemingly achieve just by rolling out of bed. In comparison I was a nervous and stressed 25 year old who would force herself to lead a climb only to feel violently ill at the top. I thought by getting on to this course, spending 3 days in the Chamonix valley learning how to cross glaciers and scale pitches in crampons would provide me with the self-esteem and kudos needed to give my career some sort of meaning.

I didn’t expect to find myself crying in a Super-U on the phone to my family as they all celebrated a wedding that I had decided not to attend in pursuit of perfectionism. The overwhelming feeling of insignificance and lack of preparedness was almost enough for be to bail on the whole thing. The night before was spent watching family guy on a cracked phone screen and trying to avoid anyone who might be on the same course. The following three days, while an amazing experience, was spent trying to make sure no one found out that I didn’t know what I was doing.

At this point, I’ve failed to mention that I’d had copious amount of training in climbing and skiing, I’d lived in both the Alps and the Canadian rockies. I was competent and confident in the mountains. Somehow I’d neglected to believe that all this experience made me deserving of these opportunities. Instead I should be at home doing another team building session while my male counterparts got to dig themselves out of crevasses.

Combating Imposter Syndrome

You can’t google Imposter Syndrome without burnout, anxiety and depression also being mentioned. All of which me and everyone else has experienced or will experience at some point in their life. 1 in 5 adults in the UK experience common mental health conditions like anxiety and depression in any given week.

While I’m not here to solve the big problems, tackling Imposter Syndrome is somewhat simple:

• Acknowledge feelings

• Discuss your feelings with a trusted colleague or mentor & ask for truthful and objective feedback.

• Seek counseiling for strategies to deal with anxiety, worry and fear

• Reinforce your knowledge base - teach others!

• Set reasonable goals and expectations.

• Celebrate successes, regardless of the significance.

If you are in the room, you deserve to be there.

Later that year, I was back in the Chamonix valley where I spent nearly 3 weeks on the Tour Du Mont Blanc as an assistant guide. I found myself in rooms that I definitely shouldn’t have been in and no one really expected me to be there either. However it was an overwhelmingly positive experience. I wasn’t trying to be anyone. I hadn’t seen the trip as a fix all solution to my insecurities. It was just something fun to do.

While it isn’t always possible to completely mitigate against Imposter Syndrome, especially while embarking on a big and new adventure. There is a little bit of solace in that you’re not the only one and if you’re there its probably because you’re supposed to be.