My kids have been sucked into a trending game called “Among Us.” In it, players complete tasks while trying to figure out which players among them are “imposters.” I’ve played a few rounds with them and have to admit, it can be pretty addicting. But I realized early on that being an imposter is tough, and trying not to get caught gives me an adrenaline rush every time.
Which makes it a great metaphor for public speaking. Lots of people who stand up in front of an audience doubt their abilities or performance. They are afraid they’ll be exposed a pseudo-expert. If that sounds familiar to you, you might struggle with Imposter Syndrome.
What is Imposter Syndrome?
Scientific American says that Imposter Syndrome “is a pervasive feeling of self-doubt, insecurity, or fraudulence despite often overwhelming evidence to the contrary.” They go on to say it often appears after “notable accomplishments.” So it’s no wonder that delivering a presentation might trigger this syndrome. So let’s look at 5 ways it shows up.
Young’s 5 Types
The Imposter Syndrome doesn’t always present itself in the same way. In fact, As Medical News Today writes, “Dr. Valerie Young, author of The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women: Why Capable People Suffer from the Impostor Syndrome and How to Thrive in Spite of It, has identified five types of imposters.”
1. The Expert
The scariest words for the expert are “I don’t know.” Despite being extremely knowledgeable, they feel there are more levels to reach. They compare themselves to their colleagues. They struggle with feeling underqualified.
If you feel like you aren’t quite expert enough when it comes to presenting, you have to remember that being an expert doesn’t mean you’ve read everything on your subject. It only means that you’ve learned enough to be there now, on the stage, sharing with others. Instead of viewing the audience as people who are trying to find you out, view them as students, ready to learn from you.
2. The Perfectionist
Perfectionists are never satisfied with their performance. They can always find something that went wrong or something they could have done better. With a mindset like this, perfectionists are left feeling like they are less than perfect. The standards they set for themselves are nearly impossible to achieve.
If you struggle with perfectionism, remind yourself that there is no such thing as perfect. Make sure to note what went well with the presentation before criticizing. And let go of anything that harms your mental health or won’t help you grow.
3. The Natural Genius
Those who feel that they are natural geniuses expect to be able to complete a task without the same amount of effort that others have to put in. The Recovery Village says that “These individuals feel unworthy, guilty, and shameful if they cannot easily complete a task or achieve a goal on their first go.”
For presenters who feel like natural geniuses, they may balk at the idea of practicing. They might expect to “wing it” and then feel like a failure when it doesn’t go as well as they expected. If you feel naturally talented at public speaking, that doesn’t mean you can’t benefit from practice or intentional skill development.
4. The Soloist
Someone with this type of Imposter Syndrome struggles with asking for help. I can definitely identify with this one. It’s like there is this little voice in my head trying to convince me that I’m weak if I can’t do it alone. Or that I might have to clean up a mess someone else makes if I don’t just handle it myself. This is a dangerous and unnatural way of approaching life. Because we need each other.
So if you struggle with this type, like I do, start by reminding yourself that asking for help isn’t a weakness. It’s actually a strength that maps out paths for connection and creativity.
5. The Superhero
The superhero is the overachiever. These people think that if they work longer and harder than everyone else, they can save the day, or the company, or the family, or the presentation. But they often do so at their own expense.
If you feel like overworking yourself is the only way to achieve presentation greatness, think again. You need sleep and food and help and downtime. You need balance.
Watch out for these forms of the Imposter Syndrome that could creep up when you are asked to present. Discredit any negative, harmful thoughts that could prevent you from becoming a great speaker.
Need help accurately accessing your strengths and weaknesses as a presenter? We can help.
