Coaching Can Alleviate Imposter Syndrome!
Is this imposter syndrome?
Do you feel like imposter syndrome is holding you back?
Can coaching help me get over imposter syndrome?
With a Masters in Coaching qualification and specialist research in coaching imposter syndrome - I can most definitely help you with all things Imposter Syndrome!
I know coaching can alleviate imposter syndrome as I’ve spent that last few years researching imposter syndrome through my Masters in Coaching degree and beyond. Existing peer reviewed research tells us coaching coaching works and my own study concurs.
Contrary to popular belief imposter syndrome doesn’t discriminate; it occurs in all genders, roles and industries. It’s politely inclusive and entirely respectful of diversity - and it raises its head in many of my coaching sessions. You are not alone….
What is Imposter Syndrome?
HOW IMPOSTER SYNDROME FEELS
It is the persistent feeling of being a fraud in your accomplishments. It’s a constant worry that ‘this time you’ll be found out’. An inner voice that say’s, ‘You shouldn’t be here; they’ve made a big mistake, you’re just lucky or you’ve fooled them all”. It’s an internal belief that you are not really as capable as others think you are. You might look in the mirror and think, ‘How on earth did I get here?’. Perhaps you have thoughts like, “I’m waiting for the day they realise I have no idea what I’m doing”. You’re secretly wary that other people will find out and expose you as less capable as they thought.
WHAT IMPOSTER SYNDROME IS
The actual definition, from 5 decades of peer reviewed research in imposter syndrome shows it’s a combination of 3 things that all happen at the same time:
The inability to internalise your success; attributing it to luck, your charming personality, other’s mistakes or that you fooled them all but never your talent and ability.
Feelings of self-doubt and/or intellectual inferiority; you feel that you are less smart or capable than those around you and you doubt your own talent.
Fear of being exposed as a fraud; that you shouldn’t be ‘here’ and any minute now, this time, you’ll be found out!
“70% of us will experience imposter thoughts and feelings at some point; if this resonates, you are definitely not an outlier. You’re one of us.”
IMPOSTER SYNDROME COACH
As a coach who has spent years studying at a masters level and working with clients with imposter syndrome, I offer an evidence based understanding of this struggle and the practical coaching tools to overcome it.
I specialise in coaching for imposter syndrome and everything it brings. You can overcome imposter syndrome through coaching.
It’s often called Imposter Phenomenon; the two terms have been used over the past 5 decades depending on the angle of research. Please don’t worry about the terminology. The main finding from my own research highlighted that ditching the label entirely is hugely beneficial; it’s your lived experience and your story that’s most important in overcoming it.
It takes courage to reach out for help; most people suffer in silence for a long time.
3 things to know about imposter syndrome:
💡It’s a very real thing! There are 5 decades of peer reviewed validating empirical psychology-based research (I’ve trawled through hundreds of fascinating articles).
💡It’s highly individual, personal, and complex; there are many common traits but how it shows up for you and makes you feel is entirely unique to you.
💡It varies in severity and frequency, it can come and go or be ever present, and it often negatively impacts your wellbeing and your career progression; it often insidiously compounds over time.
Can I get rid of imposter syndrome?
🌟 You can’t magically cure it over-night but you can tame it and managed it with some effort and consistency. Ploughing through is just ploughing through, nothing changes. In fact, it’ll likely become more stubborn…
🌟Research verifies 1:1 developmental coaching benefits alleviating and managing it; understanding, support and challenge in a safe confidential space is very powerful.
🌟 There is no cookie-cutter solution or programme to cure it; what works for you may not work for anyone else. 1:1 coaching, which is tailored to you is key to sustainably reducing and alleviating imposter syndrome.
How do you know if you have imposter syndrome?
🔍 You can talk to me or someone who knows about imposter syndrome; explore and find out more. I’m not going to give you a checklist or a survey and I’d urge caution around these; no one fits that neatly into a box.
🔍 Talking about what’s going on for you with a specialist (that’s me btw) will give you so much more insight and reassurance than a google search or an on-line survey.
🔍 Imposter syndrome is complex; part of alleviating, taming it and overcoming it is understanding it, and you, and the dance you do with it. It’s often labelled lack of self-confidence, lack of self-belief, comparing yourself to others or procrastinating. These are legitimate concerns which I never diminish, but imposer syndrome is significantly more complicated; ask anyone who lives with it.
3 things to know about how I coach imposter syndrome:
📢 It is all about you, your lived experience of what you define as imposter syndrome and what’s going on for you.
📢 I’m one of the very few people in the UK, Newcastle and the North East of England who’ve dedicated the time to really understand the intricacies of this highly complex construct and some of the key’s to unlocking and releasing it through coaching.
📢 My most important coaching tool is my depth of knowledge. I work with YOU, not a label. I listen and observe with curiosity, no-judgement, and a wide-angled lens. Here’s the thing, you may be assuming you have imposter syndrome, but you might not; nevertheless, there’s something going on for you, right? I remove the label and help YOU with what you are experiencing right now.
IMPOSTER SYNDROME FAQ’S:
How do you work with clients with to coach imposter syndrome?
✖ I don’t have a cookie-cutter approach; you are not cookie-dough. A one size fits all programme doesn’t afford you sustainable personal change.
✔ I do create a space just for you. Every single client has a unique experience that requires something different from me; my work as an experienced coach is tailored to your needs.
✖ I don’t do, “Cure your imposter syndrome programmes”. They. Don’t. Work. I know this from diving into some of the programmes out there for myself, my own extensive coaching practice, my own masters research in Coaching Imposter Syndrome: The Coach’s Perspective and the hundreds of peer reviewed studies I’ve trawled through. I lived with imposter syndrome for a long time, so I have my own experience sitting in the background too.
✔ I do work with you and what you bring to coaching. I have a huge tool box to draw from and every client and every session is different.
✖ I don’t diagnose or prescribe; that’s not my thing. I listen intently to what you talk about and I don’t label, judge or diagnose.
✔ I do know how imposter syndrome feels from all angles. It unnecessarily gets in the way of and holds back so much of you and your contribution in work, life, and relationships. It not only saps your joie de vivre, but it can also make you feel anxious, stressed, and flat. Frankly, it can be bloody draining and completely exhausting. We know it contributes to burnout and psychological distress.
Imposter syndrome is tameable and can be overcome through coaching.
Why is it so hard to get rid of imposter syndrome?
❗There’s an ironic trap with this sneaky imposter syndrome: having imposter syndrome and feeling like you want to get over it makes seeking help for it seem even harder. I get it, but, like all the tough stuff it’s hard to break the cycle on your own.
That’s why I’m here, I’m in a rare position of having an academic depth of understanding of imposter syndrome and coaching in its own right. I also have lived experience of imposter syndrome from so many different angles. It’s hard to get rid of because it’s kind of secretive, underlying and pervasive. You might have noticed it’s always lurking?
Let’s have a chat. Text, email or call and set up a time to have a chat.
You will get so much relief from understanding imposter syndrome, yourself and how the imposter cycle plays out for you - that’s the first stage of sustainable change.
Working with an imposter syndrome coach:
I have a Masters in Coaching. I’m EMCC accredited and I’ve done years of research into imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome shows up in my coaching spaces regularly in so many ways.
Firstly, I always schedule a Chemistry Session before we begin any coaching; you can suss me out, bring all your questions and see if you think we’ll be a good fit. If you like the cut of my jib, we can get started. You’re also welcome to say, “Hmmm can I think more, maybe check out some other coaches?”, or “Thanks, but no thanks, you’re not for me”. You have choice.
It’s just a chat and I don’t charge for this because I don’t work with everyone and I’m sussing you out too – the chemistry and fit is non-negotiable for me.
Coaching with me is confidential, just you and me; no cookie-cutter programmes that shove you into a sales funnel, no time limited upselling of cures and solutions, no snake oil. We both put work, effort and commitment into this.
“A skilled and brilliant coach, particularly around imposter syndrome. I wholeheartedly recommend Gill. ”
Their words, not mine….
Imposter Syndrome
Masters & Ongoing Research
It all began with a spark of curiosity. I chat often with peers and the enigmatic subject of imposter syndrome is a regular discussion topic. So many questions. What actually is imposter syndrome? How do I identify it? How do I support my clients? Do they have imposter syndrome; do I have it? Does coaching even work in supporting and alleviate imposter syndrome? What else can I do? We also often discuss how we increasingly hear this term within our coaching rooms and in our networks; it’s become a bit of a ‘buzzword’, common parlance, and feels like something we need to know more about. I became really curious about it all. So, I hit the uni library. There was a vast amount of peer reviewed studies on imposter syndrome, but very little that gave coaching more than a mention. Curiosity quickly became intrigue and my masters dissertation was conceived: “Coaching Imposter Syndrome: The Coach’s Perspective”. This 12 month deep dive was an epic feat for sure and now I just can’t seem to put it away - my intrigue and self-driven research post award continues……. You can check out more below.
Imposter syndrome Research & Dissertation
Summary 1500 words
Condense a year’s research into 10,000 words? It’s hard. Condensing 10,000 words into a wee summary; harder! This is circa 1500 words; please get in touch for more info
What is imposter syndrome?
Summary 2000 words
This summary offers my research findings in relation to many key empirical studies, giving background, definition and conceptualisation of this enigmatic construct.
Can coaching help imposter syndrome?
Summary 1500 words
If searching for a neatly boxed model to alleviate IS, my study disappoints, and the participants in my research cautioned anything that masquerades as such a panacea.
Work with me
If you’d like to chat more or have some questions, I’d be delighted to hear from you.
If you’d like to talk about how coaching with me could help you, please call or drop me a note.
If you’d like to discuss a working collaboration or the creation of a workshop / masterclass steeped in peer reviewed research, specifically for your audience or colleagues, please get in touch.