What Is Imposter Syndrome and How Do You Overcome It?

Photo portrait of Kathryn Golab and Ali Nussbaum — Kathryn Golab, MLS(ASCP)CM, (left) is the hematology technical specialist at Wisconsin Diagnostic Laboratories (WDL) at Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin. She is also a board member at large of the Menomonee Falls High School Career Academy Advisory Board, secretary for the ASCLS Wi Board of Directors, and chair of the ASCP Social Media Committee. Alexandra Nussbaum (Ali), MHHSA, MLS(ASCP)cm, caPM, pursued her education at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in both Genetics and Biochemistry. She obtained her masters degree in Health and Human Services Administration at Saint Mary’s University in MN in 2020 with aspirations to further her career. Nussbaum recently accepted a position at Park Nicollet in St. Louis Park, MN, to be a laboratory technical specialist.

To have completed a clinical lab degree program is no small accomplishment.

This particular degree is not for everyone, nor can all people take on the required course load and be successful. Despite overcoming this demanding educational requirement to work in a highly competitive field, many laboratory professionals live with—and work with—the psychologically limiting condition of imposter syndrome.

What is imposter syndrome?

Imposter syndrome is a phenomenon that occurs within people when they stop being able to see the positives from their successes. This condition appears in two forms:

One type occurs when people develop so much anxiety surrounding achievement that it renders them incapable of attempting anything that would bring further success. Think of smart people you knew in high school that never seemed to live up to their potential.
The second type appears in highly successful people, with women experiencing a larger percentage of the syndrome. No matter how many achievements, these people feel like frauds. This reason is common in the medical laboratory profession because it is dominated by high-achieving women. No matter the education, rigor of coursework, certifications, etc., people with imposter syndrome experience a sense that they do not deserve their position. Instead, they view themselves as ill-qualified phonies who will be discovered by their peers as frauds. Worst of all, those who suffer from this type of imposter syndrome feel unprepared to take on any new challenges.

Both types above can negatively affect a lab professional’s work performance if the problem isn’t uncovered.

How to identify if you have imposter syndrome

Suffers of imposter syndrome can find themselves saying phrases like, ”Anyone could have done this work,” “I was just in the right place at the right time,” or, “I’m just winging it.”

Additionally, these individuals struggle with a disbelief that they were ever hired.

The cruel twist for laboratory professionals who are saddled with imposter syndrome is that peers and others recognize that these individuals have earned their positions, are incredibly smart, and have achieved many successes.

Affected individuals often downplay their achievements, stating that if others were in their exact same position, they would be able to achieve these things too. Thoughts and perceptions like these are why imposter syndrome is considered a psychological condition: their self-evaluation does not match the reality of their accomplishments.

There are many theories of why imposter syndrome is prevalent, but the core problem stems from a lack of confidence. Luckily, lack of confidence is also a psychological phenomenon that can be overcome.

Pushing back years of self-doubt takes a strong will in order to quash the internal voices that breed negativity. Reflection on achievements is a great way to begin rebuilding positive connotations to personal success.

Take medical laboratory education, for example. That path is daunting, to say the least, yet many of us have accomplished it. Likewise, internship is an exercise in knowledge and skill that requires hours of dedication, studying, and fortitude to thrive. Clinical lab-based certification is another intimidating obstacle that is required to be a practitioner. These barriers have not stopped the hundreds of thousands of professionals working in the field today.

How to overcome imposter syndrome

A person with imposter syndrome often second guesses themselves or overthinks their abilities to perform a job, so they may be likely to self-sabotage their activities. Laboratory professionals who recognize that imposter syndrome hangs over them should consider the following steps to mitigate the situation:

Keep a positive mindset: Intentionally acknowledging accomplishments, as well as abilities to perform the work, improves one’s thought process behind the work. By doing this, confidence builds up.
Gather honest feedback from trusted mentors in the lab:. Seek out colleagues who can be honest about your performance and will give constructive criticism. Hearing personal successes from a peer reaffirms accomplishments and positively shapes confidence.

Rebuilding confidence

Medical laboratory professionals are hardworking and highly educated. Yet for some, a lack of confidence holds them back in their professions.

Overcoming imposter syndrome first involves recognizing struggles with low self-esteem. Once someone acknowledges the problem, they can take actionable steps toward rebuilding their confidence and overcoming the feeling of being an imposter in their own workplace.