Many women — as many as 75% of executives across industries, according to a KPMG study — suffer from impostor syndrome, or feelings of self-doubt about their ability to do their job.
“The concept of impostor syndrome has gained widespread attention, with self-doubt and impostor syndrome being prevalent in workplaces. Women of colour, in particular, are often susceptible to experiencing such feelings,” says Katie Mohamed, CEO of Brandfusion and founder of women empowerment platform W-Suite.
“Understanding the reasons behind this and finding ways to address it is crucial.”
She advises:
- Impostor syndrome is the result of the many stereotypes that amplify and intensify women's feelings of not belonging or being good enough, and is unrelated to education levels or experience;
- The lack of female role models and representation contributes to impostor syndrome;
- To address the issue, learn how to effectively manage the sometimes-overwhelming emotions and cultivate a positive attitude;
- Humility is admirable, but excessive humility will hinder progress in an organisation and further fuel self-doubt; and
- Focus on the present rather than ruminating on past mistakes or getting caught up in what may happen in the future. — Margaret Harris
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