Let's talk about Imposter Syndrome

Imposter syndrome is that nagging feeling that you're not as good as other people think you are. It's that dark voice in your head that whispers, "you don't belong here" or "you're not good enough" even when you've been doing your job for a decade or more. In the IT world, where change is constant and there's always something new to learn, imposter syndrome can be particularly pervasive.

 

So you're in a meeting, surrounded by teammates who seem to know everything about the latest framework or programming language. Meanwhile, you're frantically Googling under the table on your phone, hoping no one notices that you're not keeping up. Sound familiar? That's imposter syndrome in action.

 

The thing is, it's not just noobs who experience this. Even seasoned experts with years of experience fall victim to these feelings of inadequacy. It's something that I've personally suffered from, where every achievement is quickly overshadowed by self-doubt. And I've spoken to so many people in their 50s and even 60s who still don't feel that they belong in their job - that one day someone's going to come into their office and say "ha! I know you don't know what you're doing. You're fired."

 

 

Here are some strategies to help you combat imposter syndrome and start owning your expertise:

 

1. Acknowledge your achievements. Take a moment to reflect on your career. Remember that project you smashed last month? Or that tricky bug you fixed when nobody else could? These aren't flukes – it's a demonstration of your skills and hard work. Keep a list of all the great things you've done on your phone, to remind yourself of how far you've come.

 

2. Embrace the learning curve.  Tech is an ever-evolving field, and it's impossible to know everything. Instead of beating yourself up for not knowing it all, celebrate the opportunity to learn something new. One of my favourite phrases is: every day's a school day.

 

3. Talk It Out. You'd be surprised how many of your colleagues might be feeling the same way. Open up to trusted workmates or join a community where you can share your experiences. Knowing that you're not alone can be a massive relief.

 

4. Fake it until you make it. Stand tall, speak up in meetings, share your ideas. The more you act like you belong, the more you'll start to believe it.

 

5. Celebrate your wins. Did you write a particularly elegant piece of code today? High five! Did you finally understand how a system works? Treat yourself to a snack! Recognising these small victories can help build your confidence over time.

 

6. Reframe your thinking. Instead of thinking, "I don't know enough," try "I'm looking forward to learning more." This small change in your thinking can make a real difference to how you approach the next challenge.

 

7. Get feedback. Don't be afraid to ask for constructive feedback from your peers or managers. And start yet another note on your phone - mine is called my Kind Words Log where I write down all the nice things that people say about me. When I need a pick-me-up I go through it and it never fails to brighten my day.

 

8. Be Kind to Yourself. Last but not least, give yourself a break. Try to talk to yourself the same way you'd talk to a good friend. Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding you'd offer to others.

 

There's also a silver lining to imposter syndrome. That constant feeling of being not quite good enough can help you to keep learning and getting better at your job. Use those feelings productively, don't let them paralyse you.

In summary