Did you know that 78% of leaders have suffered from imposter syndrome, and 47% report is as a current and pressing problem they don’t know how to solve?
A recent survey conducted with 500 UK business leaders, found that over three quarters (78%) had suffered from imposter syndrome. Just over half of all respondents (52%) said it was affecting their ability to lead their business or team. Even more (59%) had considered leaving their job as a result of it.
Source: Nerd Wallet, published 13th December 2022
The problem was shown to be particularly prevalent for leaders who are:
- Starting a new role (57%)
- At the beginning of their career (63%)
- Or nearing retirement (69%)
How many of these statements could apply to you, or to someone you know?
- Should I be here? Perhaps I’m not as capable as people think – what if I’m found out?
- I’ve been known to back down rather than stand up for my opinion or my team.
- I’m hesitant to put myself forward for new opportunities.
- I’ve considered leaving my job for something less stressful.
You’re not alone. The numbers speak for themselves. Almost half of those leaders surveyed (47%) reported imposter syndrome as a current and pressing problem they don’t know how to tackle.
If you’re within this group of people, some or all of these statements may apply to you:
- You regularly seek out where you’re going wrong, identifying what’s missing and highlighting areas to work on.
- You’re focused on understanding why other people behave the way they do, and are proficient at adapting the way you respond to them.
- You regularly seek confirmation from your boss, colleagues or family to make sure you’re doing a good job.
Perhaps you’ve already tried some or all of these ways to fix the problem?
- Sought professional development in the form of podcasts, workshops or coaching.
- Worked harder or longer hours, invested more focus on succeeding.
- Set more goals, become clear on what you want and worked towards it.
- Yet there’s still that nagging feeling inside?
You’re not alone, and you’re actually in good company. The majority of capable, talented, passionate leaders I worked with are suffering from disconnection. And the way to resolve this common problem, is remarkably straight forward.
“Over the past twenty five years, I’ve had the pleasure of working with some of the most wonderful, accomplished, inspirational leaders, many boasting glittering careers within global organisations. And yet, I’ve lost count of how many times these extraordinary people have confessed to me their inner fear of failing or being found out.”
Mel Pledger – Award winning Executive Coach, TEDx Speaker, published author
Employing traditional coping strategies to deal with underlying self-doubt in a pressured working environment will not solve the issue. I would argue they can actually make matters worse. Attempts to avoid uncomfortable exposure in a competitive market can be detrimental on many levels. To the individual, the team and also to the business.
So yes, I know this is a real and pressing issue. I know that if left untreated (or worse, if it is silenced) even the smallest feeling of inadequacy can fester and grow. It can gnaw away at the most seasoned leader, and could result in severe longterm consequences for the business.
And yes, I also know how to resolve it.
Business leadership demands a high level of brain intelligence (IQ) coupled with emotional understanding (EQ) – and yet it’s our inner knowing (SQ) that provides the complete answer in every situation. Some call it gut instinct. Forbes magazine quoted intuition as “the highest form of intelligence”.
If you haven’t already seen it, this short video explains why SQ is so important in tackling these issues and more:
Email me mel@melpledger.com or drop me a text +44 (0)7752 469718
Mel Pledger 