How to manage imposter syndrome in your graduate employees

Experiencing imposter syndrome can feel very isolating. By its very nature it can make employees feel as though they don’t belong. Work to bolster confidence and morale where possible.

Would they actually be in this job if they weren’t good enough? Help them to separate feelings from fact. Just because you feel something doesn’t mean it’s true.

You are much more likely to feel you don’t belong and suffer from imposter syndrome if you are in the ‘minority’. We still live in an environment where the prototype for a powerful person in authority is a white, middle-aged man. People can face barriers based on gender, race, sexuality, socio-economic background and disability (including mental health). You are much more likely to suffer from imposter syndrome if you don’t feel you belong or because you are in a minority.

Evidence shows that workplaces that embrace gender and ethnic diversity in executive teams are 25% and 36% more productive respectively. Be confident in addressing these issues. Having visible diverse role models in senior positions will go a long way to helping combat imposter syndrome.

Read the McKinsey report on the importance of diversity