Imposter syndrome affects 70% of high achievers at some point (according to Imposter phenomenon: attributes for success and failure, by Gail Matthews, 1984) and yet few people talk about it. Curiously, these same high-achievers ‘know’ that they are good at what they do, but they don’t feel as if they’ve truly earned it – they don’t feel good enough and that someday they will be found out.

Dealing with coronavirus and its aftermath is going to be a marathon, not a sprint. As time goes on, levels of stress will increase, whilst stamina and resilience diminish.

Imposter syndrome can affect an individual in a number of ways, including feelings of confusion, anxiety, stress or isolation, leading to addictions, depression or worse. For organisations this may also manifest itself in reduced performance, volatile behaviour, or burnout from some of their best people.

One well-known sufferer of imposter syndrome is the American poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou, who once said, “I have written 11 books, but each time I think, uh-oh, they’re going to find out now. I’ve run a game on everybody, and they’re going to find me out”.

Why is imposter syndrome more important now?

We are probably all feeling anxious and overwhelmed during the current crisis, and it is bringing out both the best and worst in everyone. For sufferers of imposter syndrome, the added stress of the crisis, combined with the challenges of social distancing (especially working from home) is exacerbating their condition.

Sufferers may feel compelled to be ‘always on’, leaping from one conference call to another without taking breaks and working long hours, seven days a week. Driven by their fear of being found out, they are over-compensating for shortcomings only they perceive.

Most of the time, these people feel confident and capable. It is not low self-esteem or inadequacy – they’re star players and very good at their job.

Dealing with coronavirus and its aftermath is going to be a marathon, however, not a sprint. As time goes on, their levels of stress will increase, whilst their stamina and resilience diminish. Inevitably their syndrome goes from being chronic to acute, with potentially devastating results.

At just the time when we need our high achievers the most, they are going through their own personal crises. Psychologically and physically, they are putting themselves in harm’s way.

So how can we cope with imposter syndrome, given that much of what is going on in the world is beyond our control?

Some things for imposter syndrome sufferers to consider:

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Interested in this topic? Read Supporting women past impostor syndrome and into leadership.