Root Out Imposter Syndrome on Your Team

Chances are, more than a few of your employees feel underqualified and out of place—regardless of how competent they are. As a manager, how can you spot imposter syndrome on your team and root it out?

• Watch for red flags. Unsustainable work habits, such as constantly working long hours, can be a telltale sign. So can disengaged work habits, such as withdrawal from a social group, hesitancy to ask questions or speak up, or persistent excuses for falling behind on deadlines. In either case, start an honest dialogue with your employee early. Proactively ask if a sense of self-doubt might be underlying their behavior.
• Focus on performance and growth. Acknowledge high-quality work and signs of development. Positive feedback can dispel an employee’s uncertainty about their standing in the organization. If they make mistakes, emphasize that this is an integral part of learning.
• Be vulnerable. Share some of your own professional insecurities and failures, particularly those failures that you overcame in a meaningful way. This will remind your employee that what they’re feeling is normal—and that they can overcome it.