“Each time I write a book, every time I face that yellow pad, the challenge is so great. I have written eleven books, but each time I think, ‘Uh oh, they’re going to find out now. I’ve run a game on everybody and they’re going to find me out.” This quote comes from the best-selling author and world-famous poet, Maya Angelou.
And many of us can relate, in a way. We can land a good job. We can get that promotion. We can lead projects well for years. And still, we have a hard time feeling we deserve the success. What Maya Angelou described in that quote, and what so many professionals struggle with, is called imposter syndrome. This is when we doubt our skills, talents, or accomplishments. And we fear that we will be proven a fraud despite our success.
As we celebrate Black History Month, it’s crucial to recognize how Black professionals often deal with imposter syndrome in the workplace. Historical barriers have increased these feelings of self-doubt. Yet throughout history Black leaders from Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm to inventor Garret Augustus Morgan Sr. have demonstrated remarkable resilience. They have proven that feelings of inadequacy do not diminish our true skills. And there are powerful tools that any of us can use to build resilience and overcome imposter syndrome.
Let’s consider one of those tools: Thought Inspection. At the core of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the idea that our thoughts drive our emotions. So, the first step to change how we feel is to identify our unhelpful thoughts. You might catch yourself thinking, “I just got lucky”. Or thinking “They’ll eventually realize I’m a fraud.” When this happens, pause and challenge these thoughts with evidence. Did you really get that promotion purely by chance? Or did your late nights and creative solutions play a role? And is it possible that others continue to see your strengths and hard work?
Some of the most powerful evidence can be our past successes. You can start a log to collect evidence to challenge these unhelpful thoughts. Log each time you get positive feedback or complete a goal. Then when those imposter-like thoughts come up, you have a tool. Review your log to counter self-doubt with past evidence of your successes and strengths.
Remember that imposter syndrome, while common, does not have to be permanent. As we honor Black History Month, we can draw inspiration from those who pushed through barriers despite feeling out of place. Their legacy reminds us that feeling like an imposter does not make you one.
