Photo by Nataliya Vaitkevich
Even the most highly successful people can be followed around by the shadow of imposter syndrome, a feeling of deep self-doubt. Those experiencing it often believe that they’ve somehow deceived the world into thinking they are accomplished, questioning whether they were meant to be here. They worry that one day the curtain will be raised only to reveal who they really are—a fraud who doesn’t belong here.
Imposter syndrome was first identified in 1978 by psychologists Pauline Rose Clance and Suzanne Imes. They studied successful women and discovered that, despite their achievements, they believed they had only reached their positions by fooling others. This feeling isn’t limited to women, though—men can experience it as well. In fact, anyone can experience imposter syndrome, from students to executives, parents to teachers. It is common with ethnic minorities. Some famous individuals, like Tom Hanks, Lady Gaga, and Sheryl Sandberg, admitted to having it. A friend of mine who worked at Google once mentioned that probably 95% of employees there feel like imposters (and not just the famous ones), despite being some of the most talented people in the industry.
The prevalence of imposter syndrome is unclear, with studies reporting a staggering range of anywhere from 9% to 82%. It depends on who is being asked, the methodology used to study it, and how it’s assessed. Imposter syndrome can take a toll on mental health, leading people to feel anxiety and depression.
In today's digital age, social media is the perfect breeding ground for imposter syndrome. Research confirms that social media can exacerbate feelings of self-doubt. One study revealed that browsing LinkedIn specifically activated imposter syndrome feelings, while scanning other sites, like IMDB, did not. They also found that it’s not just browsing, but also posting on LinkedIn, that heightened feelings of inadequacy.
Why does social media fuel imposter syndrome? One mechanism is through social comparison: it’s human nature to compare ourselves to others. When we meet others we often wonder: Am I happier or sadder than these other people? Am I more or less accomplished than them? Am I more or less intelligent? We do the same when browsing social media.
A classic study by researchers at University of Toledo suggests that the more time people spent on Facebook, the lower were their self-evaluations. Frequent users also made more social comparisons to people they perceived as better than them.
Sociologist Erving Goffman described that we “perform” in social interactions. We care how others see us, and as a result, strive to present the best version of ourselves. In face-to-face interaction, the control though can be tenuous—our body language gives us away, our voice betrays our nerves. But when we’re online we can smooth out the imperfections, craft entire identities. We have the tools to present ourselves as we want others to see us: as flawless, gleaming images.
People actively engage in impression management in social media, where they have more control in how others see them. They can construct a polished profile, and carefully choose what to share and post. When we browse social media, we see happy, shiny photos of others on our pages. How can you not feel like an imposter when you're surrounded by such perfection?
Research in fact shows that people who spend more time on social media believe that others are happier than they are. While meeting one accomplished person in real life might make us question our own success, on social media we are caught up in a sea of overachievers. But we fail to reason that not everyone can be above average. We fall into a trap where we feel inadequate in comparison.
Continual exposure to so many highly accomplished happy people can erode self-esteem. We’re not seeing all sides of others like we do in everyday life—where they might occasionally fail or feel a bit blue. The veneer of social media hides this. Yes, sometimes people post things which make them vulnerable, which can evoke empathy from friends. But who would have guessed when social media was first launched that the presentation of people’s best sides would have the unintended consequence of lowering self-esteem?
When we make such social comparisons we’re comparing our real world selves with the polished, idealized personas we see on social media. We know it’s not rational, but we still do it. No wonder that we feel like imposters. Who wouldn’t in this situation?
Social media doesn’t cause imposter syndrome but it exacerbates it. Imposter syndrome has existed for a long time. However, social media has created an environment where it provokes us to perform social comparisons with others who appear more intelligent, more accomplished, more fulfilled than us.
What can we do? The obvious answer is to unplug from social media. But it’s not always practical—especially for those who rely on platforms like LinkedIn for networking or other platforms for staying connected with friends and family. Instead, try reducing your time on it.
But also, rather than browsing indiscriminately, be goal-oriented when you use social media, such as for finding information on seminars. You will become more objective when you have a clear goal. When you scroll aimlessly, you are more susceptible to socially comparing yourself to others.
It’s also important to remember that most people online are doing impression management. They aren’t presenting a full picture of themselves, just a highly curated version. Understanding that people are only sharing their best moments can help you view social media with a more objective lens.
Additionally, affirm your own strengths and abilities. Take stock of what you have achieved. We often fail to realize our own positive attributes.
Rather than falling into the trap of letting your self-esteem get lowered when seeing others’ profiles and posts, find out what insight you can gain from their career and life trajectories. Adopt a learning mindset where you view your friends’ profiles and posts as opportunities for you to learn and grow.
In other words, change the situation and your perspective in which you view others on social media.
Lastly, connect with people in the real world who know you and can offer support and validation of your abilities. These relationships provide a much-needed reality check against the often-illusory world of social media.
What we pay attention to shapes our experiences. Constantly focusing on the shiny, happy profiles and posts of others on social media can affect your self-esteem and trigger imposter syndrome. Remember, behind those polished personas, we’re all human, with our own insecurities and struggles.
You can read more about how social media affects us in today’s digital age in my book Attention Span.