To wonder how many other women suffer with imposter syndrome at work?!

DropYourSword · 23/02/2022 14:10

I thought I had imposter syndrome.

Then I read somewhere... "What if it's not imposter syndrome. What if you actually just aren't any good". Ah fuck!

GeodesicDome · 23/02/2022 14:14

I used to have occasional twinges of imposter syndrome when I was much younger, but to be quite honest, the more decades you spend working with senior, well-paid people who are absolutely useless the less you'll be affected.

Have a look at the burnout threads. People just don't care whether you're a superstar at your job. They just want a warm body to take on some of the load. None of it matters.

BattenbergdowntheHatches · 23/02/2022 14:14

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CooDeGrass · 23/02/2022 14:16

Same DropYourSword, same!!!

That realisation led to me feeling ever since rather as though everyone else legitimately has imposter syndrome, whereas I am somehow not entitled to claim it…

Sparklybanana · 23/02/2022 14:18

Um yep. Although I think that perhaps it's not imposter syndrome, I just shouldn't have been employed to do this role. Other people know a lot more than I do and it's made worse by having a rubbish recall. Bah! I love the job, it pays well so il stay until they figure it out.

nearlyspringyay · 23/02/2022 14:27

I don't think it's just for women, many men in my form struggle when they step up.

nearlyspringyay · 23/02/2022 14:27

Struggle as in thinking they're good enough, not actually struggling in the role

MistyFrequencies · 23/02/2022 14:32

Yes I have it. Regularly complimented over the years about how good I am at my job and I always think "if you only knew". Sure someone's going to catch me out soon. Senior professional job last 20yrs.

Winnerwinnerveggiedinner · 23/02/2022 14:33

Lovely to hear these thoughts! I’ve recently secured a promotion and worrying whether it was just good luck. I have heard that whatever your level there will be clueless people. Just hope I’m not one of them!

Isonthecase · 23/02/2022 14:36

Yep! I was chatting to a board member at a FTSE 100 company who said she had it and just went...Oh. We're in good company ☺️

MorningStarling · 23/02/2022 14:37

The secret is to realise that nobody knows what they're doing. Sometimes it's obvious, sometimes people hide it well. The ones who really are imposters are the people who genuinely believe their position is warranted. Either they're deluded or have zero ambition.

When I first started work someone told me you get promoted to your level of incompetence. If you're good at your job you gain more responsibilities until you begin to crack under the strain, then that's where you stay.

Bookworm20 · 23/02/2022 14:41

Yes, I've realised recently that this is likely what I have. same as you, I'm completely qualified to do my job and possibly know more than some of the men there, but I always always doubt myself. I have to actually tell myself sometimes that i'm being silly and i've every right to this job and doing it fine. But the minute i'm unsure of something, or something a little more difficult arises - there it is again. self doubt, am I really the right person for this, am i qualified enough? Do I DESERVE it?

Orangelover · 23/02/2022 14:41

I've got it right now OP. I'm on a training programme for a senior job and am gradually taking on more responsibility. It's all stuff I've done before in one way or another but now I've got a different uniform and title I'm having to try really hard not to panic and remember I know what I'm doing. I'm really disappointed in myself and keep having to give myself a talking to

Sexnotgender · 23/02/2022 14:47

Yup!! Despite the fact I get amazing feedback consistently I’m always waiting to be found out.

BackwardsPrawn · 23/02/2022 14:53

Yes. I have spent my entire career thinking everyone I have ever worked with has been 'taken in' by me whenever they have said I've been any good. Like it's all been one big, mostly involuntary, scam I've been pulling.

Before, as a teenager, I was always told I was pretty and I was always convinced it was merely that I'd done my hair and make up so well it make this sow's ear look like a silk purse.

Before that I was told I was clever at school and, yup, remember as a child being worried about being 'found out' that I wasn't - that I was just lucky when I guessed right answers.

Looking back I can see that was rubbish but, it appears as though I have felt like an imposter all my life. What a shame we all feel like that.

irregularegular · 23/02/2022 14:55

I think most people feel like this. Including a lot of men!

VirginMedium · 23/02/2022 14:56

I used to, very badly, for many years. I am 50 this year and I think for the last 6 months I can honestly say not a twinge. sorry, I can't tell you what changed though or how it happened. just time I think

VirginMedium · 23/02/2022 14:58

plus, the money side of it...they are paying for your years of experience and accumulated knowledged and qualifications, so all the years that you were under paid

MedusasBadHairDay · 23/02/2022 14:58

I do a technical role, and I absolutely cannot shake the idea that I'm out of my depth. I know factually I've actually been able to do more than my job spec actually asks for, but I cannot shake the feeling that I'm about to be found out. That I'm on borrowed time and a fraud.

I even ended up in tears a few weeks back because I got myself so wound up about it. It's so stupid, and the worst part is I know it's stupid.

VirginMedium · 23/02/2022 15:00

@irregularegular

hink most people feel like this. Including a lot of men!

I know quite a few men that SHOULD feel like this. not many that do 😁

JuergenSchwarzwald · 23/02/2022 15:03

@DropYourSword

I thought I had imposter syndrome.

Then I read somewhere... "What if it's not imposter syndrome. What if you actually just aren't any good". Ah fuck!

Yes this

However, OP, if you've been successful in your career to date, and always had good feedback, you are good enough and you will be fine.

weaselwords · 23/02/2022 15:04

I have found my people! I have a terrible case of this. I’m having coaching to try to get over it. I take on far too much to try to prove that I’m awesome and get exhausted and overwhelmed a lot of the time.

Mollyforgot · 23/02/2022 15:09

It's definitely not just women. I have a male family member who has a very impressive job and he says he often sits in meetings and thinks crap they are expecting me to know what to do! You wouldn't know it by the impression he gives off- he seems so self assured- but it's just an act.

iCouldSleepForAYear · 23/02/2022 15:09

@Twices

I’ve recently secured a very senior role in my specialism with a new employer. Being offered an amazing salary, great opportunities and it’s really something I should be proud of. Instead, I’m plagued with thoughts such as ‘what if I sounded better than I actually am in my interview and they’ll be disappointed when I start?’, ‘what if they realise I actually don’t know what the hell I’m doing and I don’t pass my probation’, ‘what if I can’t do the job’ and so on. I know these thoughts are irrational as I’m suitably experienced and qualified , but I’ve felt this way all through my career regardless of seniority and this fear always seems to creep in before starting in a new role. In this case it’s worse as I’ll be earning such a high salary and I can’t help but feel, surely I’m not worth all of that money and they’ll find me out soon. I’ll also be the only female in the company at or around my level of seniority, even more daunting!

I’ve always felt that I must be in the minority in feeling this way, but I opened up to a good friend about this today and she thinks half of us feel as though we are going to be tapped on the shoulder and told to leave at any minute! I guess I’d just like to hear from anyone else who feels like this, it’s good to know we are not alone and if anyone has any suggestions as to how to break this awful cycle, please share!

Hi, are you me??

Dealing with exactly this myself. On part time hours too, so onboarding is taking twice as long and the pressure to minimise the learning curve feels greater.

No idea what the solution is.

EdithRea · 23/02/2022 15:13

I read a good tweet once.

"Imposter syndrome? Fuck that, frankly y'all are lucky to have me."

I like to think that even on my bad days. Know your worth.