We’ve likely all heard about (and felt) imposter syndrome.
These are the times we compare ourselves to others and feel inadequate.
The formal definition is “the persistent inability to believe that one’s success is deserved or has been legitimately achieved as a result of one’s own efforts or skills”.
Last week on the podcast A Career Blast and a Half, there was an episode on imposter syndrome.
A complete surprise to me, Jule Kim introduced me to 5 types of imposter syndrome.
I thought the experience was “one size fits all”.
The 5 types come from the book The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women by Dr. Valerie Young.
She quickly notes “and men” in the subtitle as the challenges are not solely for women.
Dr. Young developed the categories based on her observations of common patterns in how different people experience feelings of inadequacy.
The sections below provide an overview of each type with some strategies to overcome.
Perfectionist
Perfectionists set excessively high standards for themselves and often feel like failures if they don’t meet these exacting expectations. They struggle to celebrate their achievements because they focus on what they could have done better.
Behavior: Overworking, difficulty delegating, a constant sense of dissatisfaction with their work, and fear of making mistakes.
Strategies to Overcome:
- Set realistic goals and break larger tasks into smaller, more achievable steps.
- Celebrate progress, not just perfection.
- Remind yourself that mistakes are a natural part of learning and growth.
- View mistakes as opportunities to learn rather than as evidence of incompetence.
- Counter thoughts like “I should have done better” with “I did my best, and that’s enough.”
In the Job Search: Don’t let rejections get you down. You won’t get the 1st (or 100th) role you aim for.
Natural Genius
People with this type believe they should be able to master a new skill or area quickly and easily. If something doesn’t come naturally to them, they feel like failures or frauds. They often lack the confidence to wait it out while they practice and learn.
Behavior: Avoiding challenges or quitting tasks when they don’t meet their high expectations, frustration over slow progress, and equating competence with ease and speed of learning.
Strategies to Overcome:
- Emphasize effort, learning, and persistence over innate ability.
- Recognize that mastery takes time and practice.
- Understand that needing time to learn something new doesn’t mean you lack intelligence.
- Acknowledge each small step forward to build confidence in your learning process.
- Accept that progress often involves setbacks and mistakes.
In the Job Search: Being good at a job does not mean we are good at the job search. Don’t give up. Accept the stumbles and recognize it takes time.
Soloist
Soloists believe asking for help is a sign of weakness and that they should accomplish things on their own. They feel like frauds if they need assistance from others.
Behavior: Refusal to ask for help, feeling uncomfortable in group settings, and a tendency to overwork to achieve success independently.
Strategies to Overcome:
- Practice asking for help – starting with small requests and gradually building comfort.
- Create a group of peers who can provide advice, feedback, and encouragement.
- Recognize that seeking assistance is a sign of strength and resourcefulness, not weakness.
- Discuss your feelings of inadequacy with trusted friends to normalize these experiences.
In the Job Search: Realize that it’s OK to ask for help in the search. Reconnecting with past colleagues and loose connections may be the path to your next role.
Expert
Experts measure their competence based on how much they know or can do. They fear being exposed as inexperienced or unknowledgeable and feel like impostors if they don’t have all the answers. They don’t want to look “dumb” and use credentials as a crutch.
Behavior: Reluctance to take on new tasks unless they are sure they meet every qualification, fear of being “found out,” and constant pursuit of certifications, training, or credentials.
Strategies to Overcome:
- Focus on what you do know by making a list of skills, qualifications, and accomplishments.
- Avoid comparing yourself to others’ perceived knowledge or expertise.
- Accept that no one knows everything, and continuous learning is a natural part of growth.
- Deliberately engage in tasks where you feel less knowledgeable to build resilience.
In the Job Search: Plan for interviews where you have been asked a question you don’t know the answer to – how will you respond? Prepare the words ahead of time.
Superhuman
Superhumans feel they must excel in every role they play (such as parent, employee, friend, etc.) to prove their worth. They push themselves hard to succeed in all areas, which can lead to burnout.
Behavior: Working long hours, taking on extra responsibilities, overcompensating to avoid feeling inadequate, working on vacation, and a tendency to measure self-worth by productivity & success.
Strategies to Overcome:
- Recognize that taking breaks and caring for yourself does not mean you are failing or lazy.
- Understand that you don’t have to do everything alone – delegate and seek support.
- Focus on balance and well-being rather than overachievement in every area.
- Accept that it’s okay not to excel in every role or task.
In the Job Search: Accept that the process will take time. Take breaks and focus on your wellbeing to avoid burnout and frustration.
Summary
Knowing that there are different ways that imposter syndrome shows up helps us discover our own unique blend of insecurity.
All the types can benefit from the self-awareness of our self-critical thoughts.
Once we recognize them, we can do the work necessary to overcome them.
Coming full circle to the podcast that introduced me to the types, I loved this quote:
“You are not what you do.
You are not who you know.
Your self-worth is infinite.”
– Jule Kim
Your Turn
Were you aware there were 5 types of imposter syndrome?
What is your unique blend of the 5 – just 1 or a cocktail of 3 or 4?
Does knowing your type help you consider strategies to work with it?