Imposter syndrome-that is, when a person doubts their abilities, in spite of their accomplishments-can create a considerable amount of anxiety, fear, and depression, and it can lead to burnout in the workplace. But sometimes, what might be perceived as “imposter syndrome” is actually the result of a toxic or biased work environment.
How much of imposter syndrome is due to a person’s work environment?
Workplace environment plays a critical role
- Most often seen in women and people of color
- Even if women demonstrate strength, ambition, and resilience, our daily battles with microaggressions, especially expectations and assumptions formed by stereotypes and racism, often push us down
- Imposter syndrome as a concept fails to capture this dynamic and puts the onus on women to deal with the effects
Environment
Some work environments are more likely to cause imposter syndrome than others
- Fast-paced workplaces that place a high value on external achievements
- Managers who only offer criticism
- Pathbreakers who are the first of a race or gender to ascend to a certain level in the company
How to survive an unsupportive work environment
If you can’t find the support you need within your immediate work environment, get creative about finding it externally
- Identify and name your inner critic to help create a bit of separation
- Focus on what you are doing right
- Make a list of your wins
