How does imposter syndrome affect us in the workplace?

The impostor syndrome or fraud syndrome is a psychological disorder suffered by some people and consists of a manifest inability to recognize or assimilate one's own success, mainly in the field professional.

In this way, the person who suffers from it constantly thinks that they do not deserve any of the recognitions or triumphs derived from their performance. work, and lives permanently with the feeling of being a fraud, of deceiving their environment and with the inability to assess their merits own.

On the other hand, the impostor syndrome is a phenomenon widely studied since the late 70s that affects daily millions of people around the world, mostly women, and according to experts it is usually related to perfectionism excessive.

This phenomenon can decisively affect a person's performance in their workplace, but it is difficult to identify. Therefore, below we will see the way imposter syndrome affects us in the workplace.

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Effects of imposter syndrome in the workplace

These are the main negative effects of imposter syndrome in the workplace.

1. Excessive perfectionism

As indicated, one of the main causes of impostor syndrome is an excessively high degree of perfectionism in the person who suffers from it.

People who are too self-demanding they are never satisfied with the final result of their professional performance, even if it is objectively positive. That is why the most common reaction to professional achievements is the opposite of what a woman would have. person who does not suffer from this syndrome, that is, of frustration, pessimism and rejection of recognition external.

This high level of perfectionism regarding one's own work can also generate states of anxiety or stress, which in turn tend to have a negative impact on the professional performance of the person.

• You may be interested in: "Dysfunctional perfectionism: causes, symptoms and treatment"

2. Self-esteem deficit

People who feel like impostors in their job they tend to be continuously aware of the performance of other colleagues, a fact that leads them to permanently compare themselves with other employees.

The phenomenon of eternal comparison is very common in the impostor syndrome, and is usually linked to wear in their levels of self-esteem, considering that others do deserve their achievements, and have earned the place they occupy.

Besides that, the perception that these people usually have about their colleagues, as well as about themselves, is usually biased, since only the virtues of others are valued, without taking into account their defects or limitations.

• You may be interested in: "Do you really know what self-esteem is?"

3. Self-attribution issues

The attribution is the process by which we attribute our successes and failures to internal or external causes, that is, to ourselves or to another outside element.

Another of the classic characteristics caused by the impostor syndrome consists in attributing one's achievements to luck or to Circumstances of the environment and beyond ourselves, instead of considering that our successes are a consequence of our work and dedication.

The fact of systematically attributing professional achievements to causes other than one's own person can also have a decisive effect on the person who suffers from this syndrome, mainly at the psychological level and emotional.

• Related article: "Theories of causal attribution: definition and authors"

4. Motivational deficits

Another affectation of the impostor syndrome is found in the lack of motivation. Believing that one is not deserving of his job or that he will last a short time in it is a clear symptom lack of motivation, something that negatively influences the person, both personally and professional.

Similarly, for a person suffering from imposter syndrome it will be practically impossible to motivate yourself to get on with your job, at the same time that he will tend to underestimate his academic training and knowledge of him.

5. Increased psychological rumination

Psychological rumination is the phenomenon that occurs when a person cannot stop thinking about the same topic or a determined thinking, usually experiencing distress because of worrying about what you can't stop weigh.

This situation usually worsens to the point where the individual becomes obsessed in such a way that he cannot get out of this recurring idea, finding himself in it at all times thinking about the same thing (because the expectation of constantly suffering because of it is generated in as the intrusive idea appears in the person's consciousness), a fact that directly influences their work and performance professional.

Again, this is one of the common characteristics in those who experience impostor syndrome, and in such cases the thoughts of Rumination is usually related to the idea of ​​not being worth for the position, of not deserving each of the successes achieved or believing that others judge you constantly.

• You may be interested in: "Rumination: the annoying vicious circle of thought"

6. Challenge avoidance

The avoidance of challenges and the belief that each of the activities that one sets out will fail is also a fairly reliable indicator that we are dealing with a case of imposter syndrome; it's a phenomenon usually caused by fear of failure.

That is why people who suffer from it tend to be unlikely to accept greater responsibilities in their workplace, as well as to compete for promotions or raises. Imposter syndrome has a high opportunity cost.

• Related article: "How do you get out of your comfort zone? 7 keys to achieve it "

7. Lack of assertiveness

Assertiveness is the ability to express your own ideas, emotions or interests in an energetic, direct and respectful way with the other person.

This ability is related to an optimal level of self-esteem, as well as a positive self-perception of oneself, which is why which people with impostor syndrome tend to be not very assertive when it comes to giving their point of view or communicating their feelings.

• You may be interested in: "Assertiveness: 5 basic habits to improve communication"

8. Impact on social relationships

Social relationships are also affected in those who suffer from the syndrome, since every compliment and every show of professional recognition from another person is received negatively.

In this way, the affected person tends to feel isolated from their professional environment, a fact that often translates into real isolation.

9. Unsafety

Insecurity is related to most of the elements previously exposed, and consists of a willingness to consider that the work being done is not of sufficient quality, or that others will always do better.

This is one of the classic profiles that can occur in people with impostor syndrome and is related to the so-called "Expert personality" and occurs when an expert in any subject begins to consider that his recognition or achievements are not deserved.

10. Psychological involvement

All the aforementioned effects usually lead to an evident wear at the level of the emotional well-being of the person, damaging their mental health in general.

In addition, this fact also has negative consequences on job performance, which is why the effect of "self-fulfilling prophecy" occurs.

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