You have imposter syndrome because you’re an imposter
Imagine the hushed amphitheater of a surgery. The surgeon, anesthetist, nurses, and assistants are standing around a sleeping patient, part of the skull peeled away like a box top. The surgeon takes control of the surgical robot before suddenly pulling away. She turns to the anesthetist and says “wait, what if I’m not good enough?”
Imposter syndrome seems particularly rife in the UX world, with hundreds of videos, articles, and talks covering it. People are wondering constantly if they know enough, if they have done enough, if they are good enough. And the answer, quite frankly, is no. If you are wondering if you are good enough, you aren’t.
I struggle with imposter syndrome as well. Designers I’ve hired and trained have gone on to principal designer positions at other companies, and I recently turned down a senior design position because I didn’t feel qualified. It’s an insidious disease, but in asking myself why I didn’t feel qualified I was able to create a list of skills I felt I lacked and should develop.
Many UX designers don’t recognize imposter syndrome for what it is: a symptom of inexperience. If you feel that you aren’t good enough, it’s time to drill down on that. Why don’t you feel experienced? What are you insecure about? Use that feeling to guide your studies. It’s the clearest method your subconscious has of telling you what you lack. You don’t know what you don’t know, but in this case, you do.
Do birds ask themselves if they can fly? Do squirrels ask themselves if they can climb? Do you wonder if you’re good enough to read or walk or write your name? Of course not. You‘ve done these things to the point of mindlessness. Think about something you are intimately familiar with. Your favorite movie, your favorite book, a hobby you have. Do you suffer from imposter syndrome when discussing it with another fan or practitioner?
Unfortunately, many people are uncomfortable with this feeling. The feeling of being bad at something, or not knowing much about it. The LinkedIn world of self aggrandization and self-promotion doesn’t allow anyone to approach anything as a newbie anymore. You’re not allowed to ask questions, to admit you don’t know. Everyone is an expert, always and forever from the first step, the first post, the first project. No one is allowed to admit they don’t know or made a mistake.
Part of this is driven by unrealistic hiring standards. When companies require three to four years’ experience for entry level roles, it’s natural for people to begin puffing their experience. Then when they land the role, they’re terrified to ask questions for fear of outing themselves as unknowledgeable. It’s toxic to skill development.
Imposter syndrome means you have more to learn. Don’t run from it. Don’t hide it. Don’t look for mental exercises to assuage it. Embrace it. It’s a roadmap to deeper knowledge. It’s a path to expertise. If you feel insecure, practice and study until you’re secure.
