Yahoo Finance Infographic: 'Impostor syndrome' at work and how to get over it
‘Impostor syndrome’ is a real phenomenon that affects an estimated 70 per cent of people globally at some point in their lives, according to the Journal of Behavioural Science.
It’s the nagging, persistent self-doubt of your own achievements, and the fear of being called out as a fraud.
It afflicts those at the top of their game, too: Atlassian co-founder Mike Cannon-Brookes felt like an impostor for 15 years, according to a Business Insider report.
“Have you ever felt out of your depth? Like a fraud? And just kind of guessed-slash-bullshitted your way through the situation – petrified that at any time someone was going to call you out?” he asked the crowd at a TedXSydney event two years ago.
“I felt that way for 15 years,” he said.
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Those working in the creative arts, environment and agriculture, information research, legal, or media and internet industries have it worst, with 73 per cent or more of employees working in these sectors experiencing self-doubt.
Not only that, but it affects men and women differently in the workplace too, and the anxiety and stress it causes can lead to burn-out and depression.
In an infographic courtesy of Instant Offices, this is what impostor syndrome is – and how to beat it:
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