And Wayne thought to himself: ‘I have absolutely no idea what I’m doing! Any moment now, they’re going to realise that they made a mistake. They’re going to tell me that I wasn’t actually supposed to get this promotion!’
Wayne van Zijl CA(SA) Associate Professor at School of Accountancy WITS
Being CAs(SA), we are often admired and looked up to as highly intelligent, highly competent and, almost all-knowing professionals. We must be natural leaders and need no training or support of any kind. But that isn’t always how we feel. Sometimes we feel like imposters.
The phenomenon known as ‘imposter syndrome’ was first identified in 1978 when Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes spoke to women who experienced feelings of inadequacy about the positions they held. These women felt as though they had ‘fooled’ people into thinking that they could carry out their roles successfully. This, despite holding qualifications and having received many accolades and high praise from colleagues proving that they do deserve their positions and can perform their duties.
More research has shown this phenomenon is not limited to women. Many highly successful people of all professions, skill levels and ages experience self-doubt. They feel as though they are bracing themselves for the news that they have been ‘found out’ as the ‘fraudsters’ they think they are.
I’ve seen CEOs with more than 30 years of experience, heads of departments, partners, and even students topping their classes express feelings of anxiety, inadequacy and feeling like ‘posers’. They describe it as ‘worrying they are going to screw things up’ and feel as though their colleagues’ and seniors’ faith in them is misplaced because they ‘are not smart or experienced enough to do the job’. One told me how they were constantly in fear of the ‘penny dropping’and being ‘caught out as a fraudster’.
Imposter syndrome is a spectrum where some can experience constant fear while others experience it during transitions to new roles or companies. Others might never experience it. Regardless, some self-doubt can be useful and can even be necessary. It can drive our attention to detail and, what we call due professional care. But that is in moderation. People who experience imposter anxiety more regularly may find it difficult to perform at their peak, may become emotionally distressed, or may decline important and well-deserved opportunities needlessly.
Hearing someone I hold in high regard talk about feeling like an imposter made me realise that if this person feels this way, it’s okay. It gave me the confidence to push through my feelings and perform at my best. I challenge those of you who are experienced and are role models to consider being open and vulnerable enough with your juniors to talk about imposter syndrome. You may even find it therapeutic yourself.
I feel like a fraudster! What can I do?
Firstly, be aware that the phenomenon is not unique to you. Acknowledge that these feelings impact many people and it’s okay. Secondly, gather your qualifications, accolades and memories of praise from colleagues to consciously prove to yourself that you are qualified, experienced and can do it. You will make mistakes, but so does everyone. Learn from them and know that mistakes are not evidence of you being an imposter. Thirdly, talk about your feelings. Finally, seek help from professionals if your feelings overwhelm you.
