🥸 help your team beat imposter syndrome

because 70% of your people feel like frauds (and that's hurting productivity)

February 10, 2025

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Happy Monday HR friends!👋

Today we’re pondering imposter syndrome in the workplace🧠 

We hope this sparks some fresh ideas, and we’ll have more HR brain pickings for you later in the week!✨💪

In Today’s Edition

🥸 Why Imposter Syndrome Is HR's Next Big Challenge


🛋️ The Break Room: Is impostor syndrome prevalent in your office?


📚 Human Readsources: People feel happiest in the morning hours, Job market shows mixed signals and slower growth, Wait until mid-morning for optimal coffee benefits.


We all feel like an impostor from time to time…

Fun Rushing GIF by Aardman Animations

Did you know if a penguin wears a rubber glove on it’s head: it’s a chicken?

Imagine walking into your office tomorrow and discovering that 7 out of 10 of your top performers secretly believe they're frauds, unworthy of their success and constantly waiting to be "found out." This isn't a hypothetical scenario - it's the reality of imposter syndrome in today's workplace, affecting up to 70% of professionals across all levels of achievement.


The cost of this silent epidemic extends far beyond individual self-doubt. When high-performing employees constantly second-guess their decisions, projects stall, innovation suffers, and the ripple effects can impact everything from team morale to your organization's bottom line.


As the stewards of organizational talent and culture, we're uniquely positioned to identify the subtle signs of imposter syndrome and implement strategies that transform self-doubt into sustainable confidence.


By understanding how to spot, address, and reframe imposter syndrome, we can help our most valuable team members recognize their authentic capabilities and unleash their full potential.😊

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🥸 Why Imposter Syndrome Is HR's Next Big Challenge


In today's high-pressure work environment, imposter syndrome isn't just a personal struggle - it's becoming a serious HR concern. When your top performers are constantly questioning their abilities and worth, it impacts everything from productivity to retention.


And with career transitions and remote work becoming the norm, these feelings of self-doubt are more prevalent than ever.


Research shows that 70% of professionals experience imposter syndrome at some point in their careers, with particularly high rates among high achievers and those in leadership positions. This isn't just about individual confidence - it's directly affecting your organization's ability to innovate, take risks, and maintain healthy team dynamics.


The good news? Simple strategies like implementing monthly wins trackers and creating dedicated spaces for celebrating team achievements can make a huge difference.


We're uniquely positioned to normalize these conversations and build support systems that turn self-doubt into growth opportunities. Start by introducing regular check-ins focused on acknowledging successes, and consider developing mentorship programs that pair experienced employees with newer team members - because sometimes, the best way to overcome imposter syndrome is helping someone else beat it.


🔗 Relevant links

👀 TLDR

Your rockstars are probably doubting themselves (yes, even that super confident one). Here's how to spot imposter syndrome and actually do something about it before it tanks your talent. 🎭

⚡ Takeaway and Try

  1. 🌟 Institute "Victory Circles" at the start of each team meeting where employees share recent accomplishments they initially doubted. Create a structured 5-minute sharing format, document themes, and maintain a "Wins Journal." This builds psychological safety, increases team cohesion, and normalizes discussing both struggles and successes. Track meeting participation rates and employee engagement scores.

  2. 🤝 Develop a "Growth Stories Program" where senior leaders record monthly video messages sharing personal moments of doubt they overcame. Create a dedicated internal platform for these stories, schedule regular releases, and encourage team discussions. Builds authentic leadership connections and reduces imposter syndrome. Measure video engagement rates and employee confidence metrics.

  3. 📈 Launch quarterly "Confidence Mapping Sessions" where teams anonymously rate their confidence levels across key skills, then create targeted development plans. Use digital survey tools, analyze trends, and create skill-building workshops based on results. Track confidence scores over time and correlation with performance metrics.

  4. 🎯 Implement a "Success Spotlight" system in performance reviews where employees must highlight three achievements they're proud of before discussing areas for improvement. Create standardized templates, train managers on facilitation, and document success stories. Measures improved self-advocacy skills and positive review experiences.

  5. 💡 Create "Doubt to Development" workshops where teams transform self-doubt moments into action plans. Structure monthly sessions, provide reflection worksheets, and pair employees with accountability partners. Track workshop participation, goal completion rates, and increases in proactive problem-solving behaviors.


📚 Human Readsources

🏢 Study: People Happiest in Morning, Miserable at Midnight (Inc.) - Study finds people happiest in morning, mood declines toward midnight.


⚖️ Job Market Slows as January Gains Miss Target (HR Brew) - Job market shows mixed signals with slower growth in January.


📊 Wait Until 9AM for Your Morning Coffee Fix (Inc.) - Wait until mid-morning for optimal coffee benefits and less stress.


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Thanks for reading to the end and we hope today’s edition sparked some new ideas for your workplace! 🧠

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