Own Your Greatness

Many successful people struggle with impostor syndrome.

Many accomplished people regard themselves as unworthy of their success. They fear their advancement is a result of luck, and they are afraid of being exposed as a fraud. These feelings are manifestations of the impostor syndrome.Fully 70% of people experience this psychological condition, a misalignment between someone’s competence and his or her self-image.

Men who have impostor syndrome generally avoid challenging situations they fear could lead to exposure, and they stick with roles they can perform successfully. They compare their work with that of less skilled colleagues. These strategies reduce anxiety and fear, but they can hobble career advancement over time.

Women dive into the most challenging roles and subdue their impostor feelings by overworking. However, they may derive only scant satisfaction from performing well.

Impostor syndrome can be insidious for members of marginalized communities. They may encounter majority community people who believe they secured their positions through special treatment due...