How to Make Imposter Syndrome Work for You

According to the National Library of Medicine, up to 82% of people believe they are not good enough and will be “discovered” at work. Most of us know all too well how impostor syndrome can negatively impact our careers and have looked for ways to deal with or overcome it. But what if it could be made useful? When used properly, impostor syndrome can make us more attractive and productive.

How to Use Your Imposter Syndrome to Be More Attractive

Science has shown that the right follow-up questions make people like you , and according to a peer-reviewed study from the Academy of Management , people who suffer from impostor syndrome tend to instinctively shift their attention from themselves to other people. In other words, they make other people talk about themselves. When you think about it this way, moving from “I don’t belong here” to “My co-workers love me” can come down to learning how to ask good questions.

Consider a protocol of 2 questions . After a basic question such as “What do you do?” ask two follow-up questions to give your interviewer a chance to go into more detail about themselves. Most likely, they will talk about their personal lives, experiences, what they love or hate, or some other interesting anecdote. Listen to what sounds most interesting to complement the rest of your conversation.

How to Use Imposter Syndrome at Work

The same study from the Academy of Management says that impostor syndrome can also make us more diligent workers:

Employees who have these thoughts more often are rated as more effective in interpersonal communication because they are more others-oriented (which has a positive effect on competency-related outcomes such as productivity).

Most people do not deceive their colleagues by forging their experience or diplomas and are capable and competent professionals. But they nevertheless work harder to prove to themselves and their peers that they belong. You can use this motivation to become a better professional at your job without necessarily feeling like a con artist. Here are a few ways to get the benefits of impostor syndrome without the downsides:

• Be mindful of your triggers : If you know that public speaking increases your sense of impostor syndrome, think carefully about when to give up on these tasks. This does not mean that you should completely ignore difficult projects – you should still strive to develop your weaknesses – but be aware of your confidence level and develop gradually.
• Develop your mental flexibility : Knowing that you’re not a know-it-all – and you don’t need to be – allows you to approach situations with more curiosity and an open mind. This can help reveal your strengths and weaknesses, allowing you to find solutions to problems you might otherwise have problems with.
• Allow yourself to make mistakes : You will have situations where you want to speak up, but the fear of being wrong and being “found out” can prevent you from sharing them. Allowing yourself to make a mistake can not only give you the opportunity to share potential valuable insights, but if you are wrong, it can also begin to drain the mental illusion of the impostor and gradually free you from those shackles. This is a win-win.
• Embrace the art of “confident humility” : You may not feel like you’re “not good enough,” but you can become a better team player by mastering the art of “confident humility,” according to an MIT study. This practice means being confident in what you know and being willing to admit what you don’t know. You will ask the right questions and see gaps in your skills, ideas or knowledge.

Imposter Syndrome is a mindset that can be changed to ultimately make you more likeable, more open, more receptive to constructive criticism, more likely to ask the right questions, and a better listener. If you manage to use it, it’s not all bad.