VOICES OF UX
Imposter syndrome in UX
How to cope with feeling like a fraud
I try to never be the smartest person in the room. Lucky for me, I work with some incredible people, so I’ve been pretty successful with this goal. Don’t get me wrong — I don’t mean this in a self-deprecating way. I am truly lucky that I get to learn and collaborate with the people I do. How would I ever learn and grow if I am only surrounded by people who know less than I do?
However, being surrounded by really talented and smart people can put doubt in your mind. You may doubt yourself and your work. You may think “pretty soon they’ll discover they made a mistake when they hired me. I don’t belong here.” The idea that it’s only a matter of time before people realize you have no idea what you’re doing is often referred to as imposter syndrome.
Here’s the thing- if you’ve experienced this, you’re not the only one thinking that. The fantastic designer who you look up to? They might also feel that way.
I was shocked to find that nearly everyone I spoke to about imposter syndrome had also experienced it at some point or another. No one is confident about their skills and work all the time, and some people are just better at hiding it.
Fake it ’til you make it
That’s what I’ve been told my entire life. Whenever I wasn’t confident, I was told to pretend otherwise. At first, I thought it was horrible advice. People will see right through me. They’ll know that I’m a fraud. But then, slowly but surely, the advice worked.
Confidence doesn’t just appear out of nowhere. It takes a lot of practice and pushing yourself. And sometimes, it means pretending you have confidence until you actually do. I used to be terrified to schedule one-on-one meetings with my teammates, especially those with a more senior title. It felt like they would figure out in that short meeting that I didn’t belong. But I would go to every one-on-one, put on a forced smile, and pretend I wasn’t nervous. Eventually, my fake enthusiasm and false confidence turned into real eagerness. Now, I actually enjoy these meetings.
Faking it helped me realize that it wasn’t that scary to put yourself out there and that people aren’t looking for your mistakes. In fact, if they’re not too preoccupied with their own insecurities, they’re typically cheering you on.
But social psychologist Amy Cuddy doesn’t just stop at faking it until you make it. She says, “Fake it ’til you become it.” Fake it again and again and again, until you internalize it and one day you realize you don’t have to fake it anymore.
Imposter syndrome and UX
Working in UX means there is not one correct answer to the problem you want to solve. It’s not like figuring out a math equation, 10 people could look at the same problem and have vastly different solutions that all work. I think this is one of the reasons why it can be easy to feel like a fraud- your answer doesn’t match others’, especially those more experienced than you. Don’t be afraid if your solution is different. Often the best result is one that combines the ideas of many different people.
Imposter syndrome also commonly creeps up when you compare yourself to other UXers. Everyone has different expertise, background, length of experience, and knowledge — and that’s on purpose.
Advice from other UXers
As I’ve said, working in UX means there isn’t one right solution. So, when I decided I wanted to write about imposter syndrome, I knew I needed to get the expertise of others who have also experienced imposter syndrome. So, I sent out a survey that could be anonymously filled out by UX professionals. Here is what they had to say:
How would you define imposter syndrome?
- Extreme anxiety and guilt associated with a lack of confidence and/or belief that you are inferior to your peers.
- Imposter syndrome is the oppressive sensation that you are not qualified for your current role and are at imminent risk of being found out or called out for your inadequacies.
- Feeling like you shouldn’t be allowed to do what you’re doing, because you feel like you have no idea what you’re doing. I think it’s also a clinical diagnosis, but in recent years it’s been co-opted by the less severe/debilitating vibe that many of us feel.
- Feeling you are not as competent as others think you are. That you don’t actually belong
- Not believing that you have a valid “seat at the table”. Feeling like luck, rather than skill, led me to a role.
- Feeling/thinking that your skillset isn’t good enough, everyone’s better than you, and you’re not worthy
- Imposter Syndrome is measuring yourself against high, mostly imagined standards. The feeling that you will be “found out” when you don’t know what you think you should know.
- The feeling of inadequacy in the role you are in, and surprise that you continue to operate in that role without challenge.
- Feeling like you don’t deserve to be in the position/role/job that you’re in.
- Feeling like you’re under-qualified and everyone knows it, while also assuming that everyone else is overqualified and much smarter (and better) than you.
- A feeling that you’re not good enough for your job and that the rest of the team is going to find out real soon.
What is the best advice you’ve gotten to help conquer imposter syndrome?
- Even if you were right about being inferior (which you’re not), everything would still be okay because you are in a supportive environment with people who will lift you up and help you grow. If you can’t fight the feelings about yourself, at least know that you will still be okay. It’s okay to ask for help, and it’s okay to work at a different pace and in different ways than others.
- I had a high school volleyball coach once who told me (paraphrased) “I put you in the position you are in because I know you can do it, and statistically, you’re the best person to have in that position. I need you to own your responsibility. Every play I want you to want the ball. Every play I hope the other team hits the ball to you.” That sentiment still sits with me today. I can’t be afraid to do what I’ve agreed to do — what my leaders believe I can do.”
- Every human who has ever pushed themselves to try something new, or stretched themselves in new ways, has felt imposter syndrome. Except for confident and cocky psychopaths. If you don’t think you’re one of those, then the feeling is normal. Don’t worry.
- That everyone else around you has imposter syndrome as well to varying degrees, even the very senior person who’s been at the workplace for over 10 years. Also, give compliments whenever your colleague has done something great, they need to hear it when they have done well. And allow yourself to open up to your colleagues about things that you are unsure about. They are happy to help!
- Just knowing that almost everyone experiences it has helped me the most.
- That dwelling on those feelings is harmful and holds you back. And most of the time, it’s objectively untrue.
- It doesn’t really go away. Imposter Syndrome is an internal thought cycle. Once you understand this, it becomes easier to manage.
- We are all imposters, just go with it.
- To realize that there’s plenty of things I know that my peers (and even seniors at times) don’t and that the purpose of having a team is to be able to lean on each other's different areas of expertise
- Don’t default to vocalizing your own negative perception of yourself. When you have imposter syndrome, you’re an inaccurate self-reporter because you can view your big achievements as less important than your small failures.
- Just keep going, i.e. fake it till you make it.
Do you have any advice for new UXers who are struggling with imposter syndrome?
- Find people you trust who have been through it and check in with them from time to time. If you don’t know who to talk to about it, ask your manager. Focus on learning and practicing, and ask for feedback frequently.
- I have to lean on the trust of the people who put me in the position I’m in and have given me my responsibilities. On the days when I feel inadequate or unqualified, I choose to trust my manager and other leaders more than I trust my own feelings. I also choose to trust that they are not seeking to expose my inadequacies, but have opted into supporting me through my experience on my team. Also, there is a difference between the oppression of imposter syndrome and the discomfort of being out of your comfort zone. If we were not taking risks and pushing ourselves to try things we aren’t 100% positive we can do, then we will not grow. I think that by reigning in our internal dialogue in such a way, we can learn to live with the discomfort of stretching ourselves without the oppression or anxiety that we are imposters about to be exposed.”
- Keep going. Keep making. Keep trying things out. As long as you stay humble, you’re good.
- You are a new UXer, it’s natural that you don’t have a lot of experience in the field.
- UX is made stronger by diverse perspectives. If your experiences and skills don’t line up with the majority — that in itself is actually valuable.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy. Seek evidence to counter your beliefs. Ignore the negative thoughts. Put effort instead into building your skill set and learning as much as you can (without becoming a workaholic!).
- No one has a clear idea of what to do or how their skills may contribute to a project. Be open to a project or team and share what you know, ask questions, and you’ll find your way … and find others that will help you.
- Working as a UX designer means you are constantly learning, so don’t look at yourself as an imposter but as a student.
- Make mental (or even better physical) notes of the times when you know something that others on your don’t
- Ask questions. You’ll be surprised by how many people will answer with “I don’t know, let’s figure it out.”
- Remember that you. were. chosen. for this job for a reason.
Is there an app, tool, or strategy that has helped you with imposter syndrome?
- Take daily notes on things you’ve learned.
- Maybe this ted talk, “Teach girls bravery, not perfection”.
- Think that I got hired for a reason and that nobody is secretly plotting to fire me.
- Write down your successes so that you can see all the times you’ve made valuable contributions. Explain concepts to other people to gain confidence that your understanding is right.
- Amy Cuddy’s book and Ted Talk, “Your body language may shape who you are”. [If you liked the Amy Cuddy quote previously mentioned, it came from this Ted Talk.]
- Acknowledge that imposter syndrome starts with a negative thought so practice recognizing when these thoughts are triggered. Build an awareness to know when these thoughts and move past them by reframing the negativity to something positive. Noting your daily achievements in a journal to build a better view of yourself.
- Honesty.
- Logging my achievements and positive feedback has been a big motivator. When I’m feeling particularly unqualified, I look to my “positive feedback folder” to reassure myself that I’m doing better than I think I am.
- Having a good team lead or even a mentor definitely helps.
Any comments of encouragement to anyone experiencing imposter syndrome, regardless of industry?
- There is a big difference between lack of ability and lack of experience. If you think you can’t do something, try it anyway. You’ll either succeed or you’ll improve. Keep trying.
- If you weren’t stretching yourself, you wouldn’t be growing. Be proud that you have not chosen the easy route nor chosen complacency. You have chosen to push out of your comfort zone into a space where you can learn and improve. That’s an incredibly desirable trait of any team member.
- You’re doing the best you can!
- The main thing that helps improve imposter syndrome is time. Give yourself some grace and don’t feel guilty for experiencing an emotion that is entirely normal. Don’t be afraid to mention that you’re experiencing imposter syndrome to a coworker or a manager. They’re human too, and may have their own useful tips for combatting it.
- Amy Cuddy!!!
- We are all doing the best we can. No one has all the answers. Take the time to support others and take the time to learn from others.
- Don’t torture yourself. Accept that you are learning new things and everyone has been in that same place.
- We’re all our own worst critics, and no one else is spending time contemplating your competency.
- Believe in yourself and don’t compare your beginnings to someone else’s middle.
If you’re experiencing imposter syndrome, you’re not alone. Most people have experienced it at one time or another. Or many different times. It may come and go, and that’s normal. Remember you are here for a reason.
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