Chapter 1: Dealing withIMPOSTOR SYNDROME

Ever caught yourself thinking, “I’m a total fraud” or doubting whether you deserve that praise or promotion? You’re far from alone. Impostor syndrome – feeling like you’re less competent than others perceive you to be – is especially common in the PR and communications industry. While it may not be entirely avoidable, there are ways to manage it, so it doesn’t derail your wellbeing or career.

Feeling like a fraud – a persistent reality

International studies show that impostor syndrome is especially common in communications sectors such as media, marketing, advertising and PR. As our study shows, it’s a widespread phenomenon in the Nordic PR and communications market as well, as almost three in five (58%) experience impostor syndrome monthly or more often. Nearly every third person says they experience it weekly or almost daily, and one in ten almost every day.

The kicker? It often doesn’t fade with experience. More than a third of industry veterans with 15+ years of experience say it hasn’t improved over time.

31%experience impostor syndrome once a week or more often
11%experience impostor syndrome almost every day
35%of those with 15 or more years of experience say their experience of impostor syndrome doesn’t get better with professional experience
55%say impostor syndrome has a large negative impact on their mental wellbeing at work
47%agree that impostor syndrome is one of the biggest obstacles for their career development
Top 6 negative effects impostor syndrome has on work and wellbeing
General stress and axiety
23%
Burnout
19%
Hinder to share ideas and reflections with supervisor or colleagues
16%
Hinder to take the next step in my career
14%
Negative impact on overall job performance
14%
Depression
13%

The fallout: Burnout, depression and stalled careers

Impostor syndrome is more than self-doubt; it can be a catalyst for serious mental health issues and a major career roadblock. More than half state that it has a large negative impact on their mental wellbeing at work. Not surprisingly, as almost one in four say impostor syndrome has caused them stress and anxiety, almost one in five express that it’s caused burnout, and for more than one in ten it has even caused depression. Further, nearly half agree it’s one of the biggest obstacles to their growth, citing fears that keep them from sharing ideas or stepping up for new opportunities.

Many cope by trying to stay positive – or simply enduring

So how do professionals deal with this widespread phenomenon with such severe consequences? The most common strategy is to keep a more positive mindset. However, many also cope by simply enduring, or hiding their struggles.

Top 5 coping strategies when experiencing impostor syndrome
I try to keep a positive mindset
25%
I endure it
23%
I turn to family and friends for support
22%
I cover up (hide it)
17%
I turn to my colleague(s) for support
16%

NEXT GEN PRO PERSPECTIVEIf I’m not the best, am I worthy at all?

For PR students, impostor syndrome is already a familiar challenge. They anticipate it will remain a part of their professional lives, given that PR and communications is seen as a highly competitive, achievement-driven field. Comparisons and a hyper-focus on accomplishments can make impostor syndrome feel inescapable.

“The comms industry is such a competitive, competition-obsessed industry, both on an agency and individual level. There’s this pressure to be the absolute best, and if you fall short, it’s easy to start questioning your abilities; ‘Am I really good enough - or good at all?’

THE EXPERT’S ADVICE“If you never experience Impostor Syndrome, you are probably a narcissist.”

Emotional intelligence expert Sylvia Baffour works with professionals in all industries to combat impostor syndrome and self-doubt. The first thing she says to her clients is that it’s part of being (a sound) human.

“When you strive for more, you’ll feel like an impostor – unless you’re a narcissist. But the key is having the right tools to stop it from becoming destructive.

Here’s her roadmap for managing impostor syndrome:

Befriend it: Remind yourself why you experience it. Instead of seeing it as a foe and trying to fight it, reframe your mindset: Think of it almost like a companion. “Of course I feel this way – I’m pushing boundaries, and that’s scary.”

Mind your monologue: When self-doubt creeps in, step back and recognize it for what it is: a negative monologue, not reality. Tell yourself “I’m having these negative thoughts about myself”. By looking more objectively at the situation you’ll recognize you’re actually a pretty competent person who deserves success and rewards.

Build a brag file: Collect evidence of your successes – glowing client feedback, successful campaigns, or a compliment from a boss – in a file in your inbox or at your desktop and revisit it when self-doubt strikes.

Get yourself a support crew: Make sure to have a couple of colleagues who know you, your competencies and qualities, and who can remind you of your value in the industry when self-doubt kicks in.

Key takeaways: Dealing with
Impostor Syndrome

  • We all feel like impostors

    More than three in ten experience impostor syndrome weekly and more than one in ten almost every day. Like our expert points out, it’s part of being human.

  • A major stressor and career blocker

    A majority say that impostor syndrome has a large negative impact on their mental wellbeing and, for many, it causes stress and anxiety, as well as burnout and even depression. Furthermore, almost half say it’s one of the main obstacles for career progress.

  • How to deal with it:

    Emotional intelligence expert Sylvia Baffour’s roadmap to manage the syndrome: Remind yourself of why you experience it, recognize your negative self-talk, remind yourself of previous successes and lean on your support network.