What can we do about it? In a very interesting study by Zanchetta and colleagues, the authors studied 103 young employees and randomized them to receive coaching, training, or no intervention.17 Their findings showed that coaching was an effective mindset intervention which resulted in reduced impostor syndrome scores. Furthermore, fear of negative evaluation and the effect of coaching appeared to be significantly associated with a reduction in the impostor syndrome scores. Coaching appeared to improve self-enhancing attributions and self-efficacy with a reduction in the tendency of subjects to fear negative evaluation. The authors concluded that fostering a mindset shift by reducing the fear of negative evaluations through coaching demonstrated measurable and sustained improvements in overall impostor syndrome scores for participants.17
What do I suggest? It is clear this affects a significant percentage of physicians, health care professionals, and professionals in general. Harboring these tendencies can have a negative impact on health, professional achievement, income, and happiness. It is important to self-reflect, identify if you are at risk, and if so, take the opportunity to explore solutions. My recommendations are:
- Name it: Take the test and see how you score.
- Be mindful: Self-reflection will help you identify the behaviors that are interfering with your happiness and success.
- Write it down: Be strategic and document your plan for success to reinforce your accomplishments.
- Create a feedback group: Friends and colleagues can help to mitigate the negative effects of impostor syndrome tendencies.
- Speak up: Ask for help; coaching has been documented to reduce impostor syndrome scores and help lessen the burden of these tendencies.
- Step out of your comfort zone: Develop a mantra, break bigger challenges into smaller pieces, and acknowledge little wins along the way.
In conclusion, impostor syndrome appears to be highly prevalent in professionals including those of us in medicine. The experience can adversely affect our careers and ability to secure key leadership positions. As managers, we also must keep in mind our role in mentoring others and recognizing the potential impact of impostor syndrome on those who report to us. Recognition of this phenomenon – and understanding of the effects on oneself – is the first step in overcoming the negative effects and moving toward realization of one’s potential.
Dr. Brown is a professor of medicine at Wayne State University, division chief of gastroenterology and hepatology at Henry Ford Hospital, and associate medical director at the Henry Ford Hospital Transplant Institute, all in Detroit.
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