By Susan Merli, PCC
Susan Merli, PCC, MACP (Q), Registered Psychotherapist (Q), Certified Professional Coach, CEO & Founder of Authentika Consulting, and Mentor Coach brings 20+ years of coaching and consulting experience to her role at Coaching Out of the Box®, where she is the top trainer for ICG’s Business Builder Essentials for Coaches program. In addition to her extensive accreditation, Susan holds a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology and is certified by The Chopra Center to teach Ayurveda, meditation and yoga. Susan is also an active volunteer in her community for women in business, the arts, and education.
Are You a Coaching Imposter Or Do You Just Feel Like One?
The fact that you’re reading this suggests that imposter syndrome is a topic of interest to you. First, let me share that it is an experience that affects many people, but they tend to suffer in silence. Perhaps you’ve experienced it and if you’re a coach, it is highly likely that you’ll run into it with a client.
What is Imposter Syndrome?
It is the internal psychological experience of feeling like a phony in some area of your life, despite any level of success that you have previously achieved in that area. You fear being rejected or found out as not deserving, or worthy, of your accomplishments or current position.
While it is commonly known as Imposter Syndrome, it actually isn’t a mental diagnosis. It also can’t be sourced in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM 5). It is a phenomenon or experience and was first introduced through research conducted by Suzanne Imes and Pauline Rose Clance. Back in 1978, Dr. Imes and Dr. Clance studied high-achieving professional women and first described these women’s fears and self-doubt as “imposter phenomenon”. Because of that early research, it has been labelled a women’s issue, but research has demonstrated that it is a common phenomenon for men as well—anyone can experience imposter syndrome.
Susan Merli, PCC, MACP (Q), Registered Psychotherapist (Q), Certified Professional Coach, CEO & Founder of Authentika Consulting, and Mentor Coach
You’re in Good Company
You are in good company if you’ve experienced imposter phenomenon. The list of celebrities who have openly shared that they suffer from it include Tom Hanks, Michelle Obama, Tina Fey, Lady Gaga, Maya Angelou, Sheryl Sandberg, and even Albert Einstein.
There are certain professions that experience it more than others. This list includes professional women, those in the performing arts, health care practitioners, academics, leaders in the tech industry, and students. Additionally, students of colour and minorities in the workforce may experience it more as they face micro-aggressions, racial discrimination, and feelings of underrepresentation.
Normalizing Imposter Phenomenon
A critical first step to overcoming imposter phenomenon, or syndrome, involves normalizing it by talking to someone you trust and who you find supportive and encouraging.
It isn’t something to be ashamed of or embarrassed about.
It is natural to feel uncomfortable about being pushed outside of your comfort zone. But when you experience imposter syndrome, you can catastrophize these feelings as a failing in yourself. Automatic negative thoughts create a fear in you that you aren’t deserving or worthy, and that what you’ve achieved was because of luck, or good networking, or that others played a bigger role than what was actually the case.
When you experience the imposter phenomenon, your thoughts are hindering your ability to thrive both professionally and personally.
Why is this topic so relevant for coaches?
Chances are that you will end up coaching a client who experiences imposter syndrome. The reason is in the statistics. Studies suggest that 70% of all people have experienced imposter syndrome at some point in their career. This percentage might even be a bit low because a 2020 KPMG study on imposter syndrome found that 75% of executive women reported experiencing it at certain points in their career, and 85% of the respondents believe that it is commonly experienced by women in the corporate world (KMPG, 2020).
Imposter syndrome signs to watch for in clients include:
- Those who externalize accomplishments.
- Those who use a lot of negative self-talk.
- Those who chalk up their success to others, to luck, or to networking.
- Those who find it difficult to identify their strengths or who struggle to feel proud of their accomplishments. They may even seek to minimize what they have achieved in their career.
Pay attention to your client’s narrative about mistakes, flaws in their work, and how they view their skills.
Questions to ask that may help determine if a client is dealing with imposter syndrome:
- How do you handle it when there are flaws in your work?
- How do you deal with constructive feedback?
- How well are you able to celebrate your successes?
- How do you view your professional accomplishments?
What About You as the Coach?
Not only may your clients be experiencing imposter syndrome, but you may be riddled with feelings of self-doubt regarding your own role as a coach.
Even if you’ve completed your training and are a certified coach who has attained the ACC, PCC, or MCC accreditation with the ICF, you may feel that you are running into triggers that impact your ability to bring your best self forward in service of your client.
Similar to what we ask our clients to notice in themselves as triggers, we need to know about ourselves as coaches.
Consider how you feel if:
- A client quits after a short time working with you.
- A client is a “no show” for scheduled appointments.
- A client resists your feedback, observations, or requests.
- Coaching sessions that you feel didn’t help the client make tangible progress (e.g., moving them toward action).
You may be new to your coaching practice, and there is something to be said for growing into your confidence—and that often comes with experience. It is important to coach within your ethical limits and to ask yourself if you are as qualified and ready as you can be: Have you received the proper training through ICF-recognized partners such as Coaching Out of the Box®?
We also don’t want to coach beyond our limits, and we need to refer to an appropriate mental health professional if the client is experiencing mental health issues. To support you in knowing when to make a referral, the ICF has a helpful tip-sheet called “Top Ten Indicators to Refer a Client to a Mental Health Professional” (Meinke, n.d.).
7 Strategies for Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
- Note your triggers and the resulting negative automatic thoughts you have. Don’t believe everything you think! (Suggested Reading: What You Think May Not be True)
- Work on cognitive reframing. Consider what it means to accomplish something without it needing to be perfect and what are the plus sides of this? (e.g., not procrastinating, not overworking, not adding unnecessary stress into your life).
- Adopt a growth mindset (Dweck, 2008). Consider that you’re a work in progress. I like to add the word “yet” to the end of a sentence or a thought where I’m feeling uncertain or when I’ve stretched myself outside of my comfort zone. I tell myself, “I just haven’t learned how to do this, yet.”
- Celebrate mini-milestones and small successes. Make time to recognize and celebrate what you have accomplished. Reward yourself with a treat (e.g., maybe a spa treatment or even a nap!)
- Reach out for help: Talk to at least one person you trust and respect and who will keep your confidence. It is important to build a healthy community of supportive and encouraging people who will help you challenge your cognitive distortions associated with imposter syndrome.
- Keep a list of your strengths and accomplishments. This could be an updated resume, your current LinkedIn profile, or a personal bio on your website.
- Develop a realistic and plausible positive mantra for yourself. Mine is “I’m learning, I’m growing, I’m doing great.” The more you introduce positive thoughts and emotions, the more your sage brain will kick in. (Suggested Reading: How to Use Positive Intelligence in Your Life)
Key Takeaways for Coaches
- It is important to watch for triggers in yourself and to practice good self-care.
- It isn’t narcissistic to focus on your well-being, it is a way to be your best in service of your clients.
- Acknowledge your own negative automatic thoughts and inner saboteur. Work to reframe your thinking with a growth mindset in mind.Watch for the signs of imposter syndrome in your clients and allow space for them to work at a pace that makes sense while asking them how the behaviours they continue to use when dealing with imposter syndrome either serve or harm them.
- Know when to refer to a mental health professional and work within your level of competence.
For more information and additional resources, please visit my blog at Authentikaconsulting.com
Disclaimer
Please note that this post is a general overview and not mental health advice. If you require additional support, information, or guidance in relation to a particular issue, please speak with a medical practitioner or therapist who will be able to take the time to support you in the most effective course of action.
References
Clance, P. R., & Imes, S. A. (1978). The imposter phenomenon in high achieving women: Dynamics and therapeutic intervention. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research & Practice, 15(3), 241–247. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0086006
Dweck, C. S. (2008). Mindset. Ballantine Books
KPMG. (2020, October 6). KPMG study finds 75% of executive women experience Imposter Syndrome. KPMG study finds 75% of executive women experience imposter syndrome. Retrieved February 24, 2023, from https://info.kpmg.us/news-perspectives/people-culture/kpmg-study-finds-most-female-executives-experience-imposter-syndrome.html
Meinke, L. (n.d.). Top ten indicators to refer a client to a mental health professional. Retrieved February 24, 2023, from https://coachfederation.org/app/uploads/2017/12/WhentoRefer.pdf
