Page 8 - KZN Business Sense 9.3 Aurelia Albert eBook

THE IMPOSTER SYNDROME

FAKE IT TILL YOU MAKE IT?

Jacquie Bhana, Coach, capable. They feel that any and work opportunities and
Mentor, Counsellor mistake will be viewed as personality can all influence With June being
and HR Specialist evidence of this fraud. Those those affected.
Consultant affected feel like they don’t Family upbringing can play a Youth Month I would
belong, so acknowledging their major part in how individuals
I feel expertise and accomplishments feel. Parenting styles by being like to commend those
like an is key, as is reminding overprotective or controlling
“ imposter, themselves that they earned can strongly affect a person, the organisations that have
I don’t feel I their place in the academic value of overachievement as a made the time to develop
am properly or professional environment. primary source of validation
equipped to Those who experience this and flipping between offering graduates and bright
do this job. I syndrome have a strong need praise and support can be very
don’t know to prove themselves. They put a confusing, amongst others. young minds.
everything; lot of pressure on themselves to
something new faces me every complete every task flawlessly, Certain personality traits
day, and I just have to figure it and fear that they will reveal to are linked to a higher risk of
out. I love it and it scares me, others that they aren’t good or experiencing the imposter your own achievements, this challenge and to help you
although I manage at the end of smart enough for the job. syndrome, e.g.: instead of comparing yourself realise your potential and be
the day.” These are the words of The imposter syndrome to others. your best self.
Tessa, a high functioning newly stifles the potential for growth ■ Low self-efficacy – where people ■ Assessing your abilities by “Jacquie’s presentation on The
qualified medical doctor. and meaning, by preventing tend to see difficult tasks as doing a proper assessment to Imposter Syndrome to our
threats they should avoid
I have had the same reaction people from pursuing new ■ Perfectionism – where people get an objective view – and Durban University of Technology
from executives and many other opportunities for growth at might think there is some aligning on objective success (DUT) Business School students
highly qualified individuals, work, in relationships or around perfect script of deliverables metrics. Ask your manager and staff was thought provoking.
who work across diverse their hobbies. It can lead to where they cannot put a foot what success looks like and It highlighted challenges faced
disciplines, whom I have had overworking and result in wrong consistently ask for feedback. in the workplace by individuals
the privilege to coach. Feeling burnout, a constant sense of a lack ■ Value your self-care – working regarding their feelings about
like an imposter is a real issue of balance and a strong level of ■ Neuroticism – one of the big too hard will cause burnout. being an imposter. Jacquie offers
confronting many people on insecurity. Research has shown five personality dimensions There are a number of signs of practical solutions on how to
a daily basis. Many of them that an average of 70% of people that are linked to higher levels burnout and it is important to deal with these challenges and
are reluctant to open up about have reported experiencing this of anxiety, insecurity, tension be cognisant of what these are – how to overcome the syndrome.
this issue, as they think that syndrome. Famous, successful or guilt and take action. The presentation was found to
their fears may reflect poorly and bright people who have ■ Social anxiety – being anxious ■ Ask yourself some hard be very insightful and is highly
on them. So, a coach can be of disclosed experiencing this belief about being seen to be socially questions, such as – Do I believe recommended.” Prof Veena
great benefit to assist in helping include Michelle Obama, Tom incapable, where people feel I am worthy of love, recognition Rawjee: Project Leader: DUT
them to confidently move Hanks, Sheryl Sandberg and they don’t belong or cannot or respect as I am? Must I be Business School. 
forward, unencumbered by this Maya Angelou. perform adequately in social perfect for others to approve of
feeling of being fake and be the Causes of Imposter Syndrome situations me? This might be difficult as For more information
high performing individuals you might not even realise C: +27 83 386 8343
that they are. Early studies found this How Can You Cope? that you are experiencing E: info@jacquiebhana.co.za
syndrome to be connected W: www.jacquiebhana.co.za
What is the Imposter Syndrome? to factors including early Confronting the imposter this phenomenon.
family dynamics and gender. syndrome can help people
This phenomenon is usually continue to grow and thrive. The There are ways of coping – the
seen in highly capable and Initially imposter syndrome following strategies are of value: important thing is to recognise
intelligent people, where they was thought to involve mainly that you are experiencing this
women and diverse groups,
are constantly plagued with but later research revealed ■ Sharing feelings and speaking syndrome and to get help or
the thought that they will be that there were occurrences in to trusted people can be of help, develop techniques to assist. No
exposed as a fraud, consistently as irrational beliefs tend to person should struggle with this
experience self-doubt even in people of all backgrounds, ages fester and be reinforced when phenomenon alone. A good
and genders.
areas where they excel, and they are hidden. coach or mentor could assist
perceive they are not seen as Family upbringing, new school ■ Stay focused on measuring with getting to a landing with

WORLD CHAMBERS CONGRESS

he Durban Chamber of Chamber of Commerce’s World multilateralism and the global
Commerce and Industry Chambers Federation (WCF) capital of peace, chambers
TNPC has recently attended and the Geneva Chamber of leaders called on all governments
the World Chambers Congress in Commerce, Industry and Services to renew their commitment
Switzerland, Geneva. The Durban (CCIG) unveiled the “Geneva to rules-based trade, effective
Chamber was in partnership Manifesto” which is a pledge by international cooperation and
with eThekwini Municipality chambers of commerce to revitalise respect for international law.
Economic Development international trade with a renewed
Department and the Durban ICC. commitment to multilateralism for “Cooperation is key to
peace and prosperity. overcoming the world’s major
Held every two years, World challenges, and at ICC, we
Chambers Congress is an inclusive In the declaration, chambers understand that we must all work
event that brings together committed to redoubling their together as a united business
people from around the world, efforts towards making a difference community to address them. By
to address common challenges in the real economy and building collaborating and speaking with
that shape both chamber and a modern system that serves as one voice, we can boost the global
business activities. The 13th World a driving force for economic economy and foster economic
Chambers Congress represented inclusion, global cooperation, and inclusivity, international
local business communities in sustainable development. collaboration, and advance
more than 170 nations.
Leveraging Geneva’s sustainability,” said Maria
At the congress, the International historical position as a seat of Fernanda Garza, ICC Chair. 

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