Globally, imposter syndrome is said to affect 82% of the workforce, according to a 2020 review published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.

In a UK study by printer Solopress using Google search volume data, the average monthly searches for imposter syndrome per 10,000 people in the UK’s most populous cities were made by Mancunians, who seem to have the greatest concern around imposter syndrome, with 22 average searches per 10,000 people every month. Manchester was followed by Leeds (15), Birmingham (13) and London (13). The remaining six in the top 10 were Edinburgh (12), Glasgow (12), Milton Keynes (11), Bristol (9), Belfast (9) and Coventry (8).

One contributing factor is the intricate interplay between local demographics and socio-economic circumstances. Cities with higher imposter syndrome rates might exhibit a greater representation of women and minority groups in their labour force, the study suggests. It’s worth mentioning that London, Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds double as prominent University cities and research shows that imposter syndrome is not only confined to the professional realm, but students, too, are susceptible to its effects, particularly those from minority backgrounds.

Both businesses and employees can work to eliminate imposter syndrome within organisations and individuals by taking direct action.

Five tips on how to overcome imposter syndrome (for individuals)

1 Recognise that you’re experiencing imposter syndrome

This will help you to identify negative thinking traps. Once you realise that imposter syndrome has caused you to become stuck in an unhelpful cycle of thoughts, you can use cognitive behavioural therapy techniques to help challenge those negative thoughts and turn your mood around.

2 Learn to ask for what you need

Asking for support is actually a sign of strength. Struggling in silence can be very lonely in the workplace. Break the silence and seek out support as soon as you can to avoid a build-up of work and worry.

3 Be kind and compassionate to yourself

Remind yourself of successes and wins. Keep a list of your achievements, and nice things and compliments people have said about you and your work – dig it out when imposter syndrome sets in.

4 Focus on self-validation versus external validation

When praise from others isn’t forthcoming, it can be time to look inside for some encouragement. Set realistic goals that challenge you and reward yourself for completing them.

5 Reframe negative self-talk

No one’s perfect, and mistakes do not equal failure. Try to regard learning experiences as growth, rather than a shortfall or skill deficit. This will help to validate feelings of self-worth.

Five tips for businesses to support employees experiencing imposter syndrome (for leaders and managers)

1 Create psychologically safe working climates

Colleagues will be more likely to open up about their vulnerabilities in a space where judgement is suspended in favour of a nurturing environment. Encourage conversations at all levels – often people who struggle with imposter syndrome will often appear lonely, and will benefit greatly from social interaction.

2 Encourage healthy work/life balances

Work is a big part of many people’s lives, but it should always be balanced with the individual’s need for rest and relaxation. Feelings of inadequacy spawned from imposter syndrome can lead to a vicious cycle in which individuals overwork, miss out on rest and struggle to perform.

3 Celebrate successes and avoid a blame culture

Foster environments that encourage growth, and succession planning. Don’t blame or punish people when they make mistakes.

4 Adopt mentoring and coaching practices

One-to-one guidance from more experienced colleagues can help those new to the workforce to feel supported.

5 Spotting imposter syndrome

Keep an eye on colleagues who seem to be struggling or show signs of anxiety. Look for warning signs such as withdrawal from team interactions, a tendency to overwork, or habitual procrastination. Recognising these red flags can be the first step in offering support and addressing the issue.

The city searching for imposter syndrome the least is Newport, with less than 1 search per 10,000 people a month, followed by Blackpool (2 searches) and Sunderland (3 searches).

It’s interesting that these three cities are port cities – known for their heavy industry, rather than service-based jobs.

Thus, imposter syndrome may be less common in manufacturing and logistics sectors where workers can see the physical result of their efforts – unlike in office work where the outcomes are often more abstract.

Chantal Gautier is a senior lecturer in psychology at The University of Westminster

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