How do individuals cope at work in the context of the Imposter Phenomenon? A thematic analysis study

This study seeks to understand the coping mechanisms that individuals employ to deal with their experience of the Imposter Phenomenon (IP) when at work. IP is an inner sense of being a fraud despite external evidence to the contrary. The study also seeks to understand whether psychological courage plays a role in enabling these individuals to carry out their work when experiencing IP.

This study contributes to the body of academic literature as there is a paucity of research into IP in the workplace and coping strategies. In addition, there is limited research on IP and psychological courage. Psychological courage is concerned not with physical risk or standing up for what is right, but with challenges to the very sense of the self. Drawing from the field of positive psychology, it is this challenge to the psyche by adopting a more positive self-view that is of interest to this study and informs the theoretical framework. The results of this study are of interest to both academics and practitioners.

Over 100 people completed the Clance Imposter Phenomenon Scale (CIPS), a validated tool for indicating experiences of IP. The study’s criteria, including a CIPS score of more than 61 indicating frequent or intense levels of IP, were met by 42 participants who worked in the finance and insurance sector, 21 of whom took part in an in-depth semi-structured interview. Thematic analysis was used to develop themes from the data.

Several themes were generated from the data including maladaptive preparation to prevent being ‘found out’, positive benefits from external support, dismissal of positive feedback and a lack of awareness of psychological courage. Indications are that introducing participants to the concept of psychological courage helps them reframe their actions and re-evaluate the external evidence and positive feedback, enabling them to revise their self-view more positively. Conclusions from the data provide directions for further research, potential practical interventions and implications for policy making for organisations and managers.