<aside>
This article is written by Dr. Charrisse Somme-Davis, LCMHS. Charrisse Sommes is a licensed therapist and founder of Premier Counseling Professionals PLLC, where she provides counseling, coaching, and consulting to individuals, groups, and organizations. She specializes in supporting people with ID/DD diagnoses, as well as workplace issues like imposter syndrome, anxiety, and bullying.
</aside>
On the quest to entrepreneurship, entrepreneurs face many challenges as business owners for both startups and established businesses. Our days are shaped by countless challenges that include managing cash flow, nurturing talent, making tough decisions, and adapting to change. Beyond external hurdles, one of the quiet battles many entrepreneurs face is internal; the inner voice that questions:
“Am I enough? Are they going to find out that I’m a fraud?”
These statements of self-doubt echo through the minds of entrepreneurs even after they have experienced success. Traditionally, business acumen and soft skills are the commonly used methods applied by entrepreneurs to address administrative challenges — however, when the voice of the inner critic is awakened, a different set of skills are required. The internal voice is associated with the phenomenon psychologists Clance and Imes coined as Imposter Phenomenon in 1978. Now, the phenomenon is widely known as Imposter Syndrome.
Imposter syndrome is a common experience felt by some of the highest-performing entrepreneurs and leaders. In fact, it often shows up precisely because you’re stretching beyond your comfort zone, chasing ambitious goals, and making a difference in the world. For entrepreneurs, that internal voice can be deafening.
Imposter Syndrome is a psychological pattern where individuals doubt their accomplishments and fear being exposed as a fraud despite evident success. Imposter Syndrome is not a diagnosable disorder; thus, this term would not be found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR) which is the standard classification of mental disorders used by mental health professionals in the United States. Imposter Syndrome is a persistent inner narrative rooted in self-doubt, perfectionism and comparison. Clance and Imes initially observed these traits associated with the syndrome in high-achieving women.
Today, Imposter Syndrome is considered universal as it transcends gender, race, profession, and income level. According to a 2023 survey by Kajabi, 84% of entrepreneurs experience imposter syndrome, with 67% of entrepreneurs indicating that it affects their business decisions. Imposter Syndrome is more prevalent and disproportionately affects underrepresented or disadvantaged groups such as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color who navigate systemic biases as well as first-generation professionals, who are charting new territory without role models in their immediate circle.
Vigilance is needed to normalize the imposter experience and to monitor the actions or inactions that entrepreneurs have as a response to the mounting self-doubt. That doubt coupled with perfectionism and comparison can also be accompanied by stress, anxiety, and depression.
Arbitrary and frequent negative thoughts can enter the mind of entrepreneurs. The self-defeating thoughts can become noticeable and affect the business entity’s ability to function in several ways.
Those limiting thoughts appear precisely when entrepreneurs are engaged in bold, brave, and meaningful work. The self-doubt can and often will decrease the effectiveness of leadership, hinder decisions, and cause a leader to experience mental strain. Entrepreneurs must shift their mindset from self-doubt to self-aware.