7 Ways to Combat Imposter Syndrome

Think you’re a phony? You aren’t — you just have imposter syndrome!

Imagine the following scenario.

You are applying for a new job in your chosen career field. You have intellectual and hands-on experience with a variety of roles and tasks within that field, including leadership roles. You have a master’s degree and extracurricular experience that further demonstrates your competency in the role you are applying for. You have the interpersonal skills and personality the hiring manager is looking for. You come to the interview prepared with solid answers to anticipated questions and thought-provoking questions to ask the interviewer. Because you knock it out of the park, you are offered and accepted the role at the new company.

And yet, you wonder why they chose you — because, in your mind, you are not good enough or experienced enough to do the job well.

Sound familiar?

If it does, you might suffer from imposter syndrome and aren’t alone.

WebMD states that “imposter syndrome is when you doubt your skills and successes. You feel you’re not as talented or worthy as others believe, and you’re scared that one day, people will realize that.”

This concept was first coined by psychologists Pauline Rose Clance and Suzanne Imes in 1978. According to recent studies, up to 82% of people have experienced imposter syndrome at some point in their lives.

This means you are not alone!

Below are just a few reasons why imposter syndrome creeps up even amongst the most qualified individuals.

Lack of Experience

One surefire reason people question their abilities is if they have a real or perceived lack of experience in something. Perhaps you are new to your field or haven’t had a certain role before. A lack of experience does not mean you are incapable, but it can cause you to doubt your ability if you haven’t had room to prove your abilities to yourself yet.

Little to No Training From Supervisors

Another reason you may experience imposter syndrome is if you were mostly self-taught. A fundraising group on LinkedIn was recently polled, asking respondents if they felt supervisors had adequately trained them for their fundraising roles. Eighty percent of those who responded felt that they either did not receive proper training or only did in some circumstances.

Some pointed out that their knowledge came from passion, from personally seeking out learning materials to previous professional experiences.

Baggage From Other Jobs

You may experience imposter syndrome if you bring negative experiences from previous jobs. Say you had a micromanaging supervisor in the past who required you to get everything approved by them. This may have caused you to subconsciously believe you can’t make good decisions or do good work without oversight.

Or you may have had a hands-off boss who provided no feedback, leaving you to teach yourself. This could leave you questioning if you learned “the right” things or if you are completely off-base.

Not Knowing Your Worth

Ultimately, imposter syndrome comes down to not knowing or believing your worth. If you are not confident in who you are and what you bring to the table, imposter syndrome is sure to follow.

Now for the good news! There are ways you can cope with these feelings and propel yourself toward greater self-confidence and long-term professional success.

How to Combat Imposter Syndrome

Here are just a few ways to combat imposter syndrome.

1. Seek out mentors and networking opportunities. You might look to LinkedIn or a local philanthropy group for connections. Your supervisor or colleagues may also have some suggestions. Creating connections will boost your confidence and help you feel connected to your field.
2. Take advantage of resources. There are so many great publications, webinars and classes at your fingertips. Explore free and paid-for services that will keep you on the cutting edge. When you equip yourself with knowledge, you will not only feel more confident in yourself but also keep up to date with current best practices in your field.
3. List out your skills. You have more transferable skills than you realize. Have you spent time in customer service and now you are a frontline fundraiser? That’s a transferable skill!
4. Ask for constructive feedback. This can be from supervisors, coworkers or anyone whose opinion you trust and value. Their feedback may just surprise you.
5. Look for quick, simple wins to boost your confidence. Meet with a loyal donor or volunteer and get their feedback or call a donor to thank them for their loyalty and partnership. Don’t dismiss opportunities that encourage outreach and make you feel valued.
6. Create your self-worth narrative. Write out everything that makes you who you are and post it somewhere visible. Combat negative self-talk with positive truths.
7. Be prepared to fail… and succeed. We all fail, but it doesn’t mean we are a failure. Pick yourself up, review where other choices could have been made, and try again. You’ve got this.

The preceding blog was provided by an individual unaffiliated with NonProfit PRO. The views expressed within do not directly reflect the thoughts or opinions of NonProfit PRO.