In the Bible, Joseph had to overcome many barriers that may have prevented God’s full plan to unfold in his life, and a significant issue he faced is what we have come to know as Imposter Syndrome. You must learn to move beyond Imposter Syndrome, as dwelling in this stage too long will hinder your personal and professional success and your ability to lead effectively.
A few thoughts I have found helpful in my journey of leadership and professional development:
- Imposter Syndrome is a career obstacle: The definition of Imposter Syndrome is feeling as though you are a fraud and undeserving of career advancement or the celebration of professional achievements. When you struggle to embrace your skills and success it’s easy to fall into a vicious cycle of self-condemnation and doubt.
Leaders who find themselves in this cycle may hold back from making decisions, acting with confidence, or pursuing high-impact opportunities. This hesitation can weaken their standing in competitive environments where confidence and assertiveness are key. They fail to lead and default to people pleasing, knowing that this style of leadership is never successful in the long run.
- Perception is critical: The research is in, and experts know that others perception of you is more important than your actual skills or talents.
However, Imposter Syndrome will lead individuals to understate their abilities, which diminishes their presence and authority in the workplace.
Overcoming these feelings is essential to projecting confidence, which in turn influences how others view and trust your leadership. If you don’t believe in you, no one else is going to believe in you either.
- Mindset is everything: To counter Imposter Syndrome, many scholars suggest adopting the mindset of “acting as if you’re going to win” or more simply stated, “acting as if.” This means carrying yourself confidently and decisively, even when you don’t feel fully secure in your role.
By behaving as though you belong in a position of leadership or responsibility, you begin to internalize that confidence and ultimately reduce feelings of self-doubt. Success in leadership often hinges on how you carry yourself, not just on your competence or level of skill.
- Success isn’t always about being the most competent person in the room: The key elements of vocational success don’t come from being among the most intelligent or qualified employees.
- It comes from understanding how to navigate relationships.
- It comes from the ability to recognize and develop your self-confidence.
- It comes from the way you present yourself to others.
Imposter Syndrome tricks people into thinking they need to be perfect or hyper-skilled to succeed, but Harvard and Standford researchers agree that what matters more is how you interact with others and the way in which you show up in a room.
- Cognitive restructuring can help overcome Imposter Syndrome: Cognitive behavioral therapy techniques are often used to combat Imposter Syndrome. These techniques involve reframing irrational beliefs and self-doubt by identifying them and replacing them with more balanced, realistic thoughts. For example, instead of thinking, “I’m not qualified for this role,” you can learn to reframe this thought as, “I’ve been chosen for this role because others see value in my skills.”
- Personify the voice of doubt: Some therapists suggest externalizing your inner critic. By giving it a name or imagining it as a separate entity, you can distance yourself from the negative voice in your head and challenge it more effectively.
- Turn criticism into fuel: Use self-doubt as a motivator. Many high achievers convert these feelings into a drive to improve. This strategy can help turn a negative emotion into a source of energy and growth.
Joseph had every reason to question whether he was cut out for anything more than the harsh life he was experiencing. His own family had wounded him deeply, yet through it all, God was working. He continually fought off despair and self-doubt. And as he persevered, he trusted that God had a larger plan for his life.
Despite being in foreign and hostile environments, Joseph rose to leadership positions in Potiphar’s house and in prison. He became trusted for his wisdom, work ethic, and honesty. His rise to prominence in these environments suggests that Joseph had to overcome many feelings of inadequacy. As he leaned into his God-given talents and took ownership of his circumstances, they seemed a bit less insurmountable. May this be the example we follow as we overcome Imposter Syndrome for good.