A study exploring the experiences of women and imposter syndrome

With an increase in focus on females in the workplace, this research project explores the experiences of females and their relationship with imposter syndrome, and examines the definition of imposter syndrome, its causes and consequences for those suffering from it. The paper makes recommendations to help sufferers manage their imposter syndrome recommendations for companies to implement to reduce cases of imposter syndrome developing in the workplace. The research was carried out during 2019 and involved interviewing eleven females. It found that the participants’ definitions of imposter syndrome were in line with the academic literature, and that there were many causes and consequences of imposter syndrome, some of which are currently not addressed by the academic literature, most notably that imposter syndrome prevents individuals from reaching their full potential, which impacts not only themselves but also the companies that employ them