How can you help researchers overcome imposter syndrome when presenting their findings?

Imposter syndrome is a common psychological phenomenon that affects many researchers, especially when they have to present their findings to an audience. It is the feeling of being inadequate, incompetent, or fraudulent, despite having evidence of their achievements and abilities. Imposter syndrome can undermine researchers' confidence, motivation, and performance, and prevent them from sharing their valuable insights and contributions. As a research manager, you can help researchers overcome imposter syndrome when presenting their findings by following these six tips.

1 Acknowledge the issue

The first step to help researchers overcome imposter syndrome is to acknowledge that it exists and that it is not a sign of weakness or failure. You can create a safe and supportive environment where researchers can openly talk about their feelings and challenges, and where they can receive constructive feedback and encouragement. You can also share your own experiences and strategies of dealing with imposter syndrome, and show empathy and understanding.

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Tinotenda Percy Mazibananga

Lead Advisory Consultant @ Winfield Strategy & Innovation | Msc Business Economics and Investment Analysis
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Creating a safe environment where workers are open to be vulnerable about their shortcomings is essential. People will only acknowledge their weaknesses if they understand that they will not be unjustly judged for it. It also starts with leadership offering vulnerable insights into how they have previous overcome their shortcomings in order for one to feel comfortable. What has helped in creating such an environment is creating small moments where employees present insights and offering constructive feedback to their insights.

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2 Highlight the strengths

The second step to help researchers overcome imposter syndrome is to highlight their strengths and achievements, and remind them of their value and impact. You can praise researchers for their work and progress, and celebrate their successes and milestones. You can also help researchers identify and articulate their unique skills, expertise, and perspectives, and how they contribute to the research field and society.

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Brittany Hunt

Head of Quality, Innovation, and Research at Clinic Les Alpes
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Encouraging researchers to engage in peer mentoring or to become part of a mentorship program can be an effective strategy for overcoming imposter syndrome. Through these relationships, they can share experiences, challenges, and strategies for success, gaining confidence from the support and recognition of their peers and mentors. This network not only reinforces their strengths and achievements but also fosters a sense of belonging and community within their field. Seeing their impact on others' growth and receiving constructive, empathetic feedback can dramatically boost their self-assessment and mitigate feelings of inadequacy.

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3 Reframe the mindset

The third step to help researchers overcome imposter syndrome is to reframe their mindset and attitude towards presenting their findings. You can help researchers shift from a fixed mindset, where they see their abilities as innate and immutable, to a growth mindset, where they see their abilities as learnable and improvable. You can also help researchers view presenting their findings as an opportunity to learn, improve, and collaborate, rather than as a test, evaluation, or judgment.

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Vyara Bridgeman

Advanced BodyTalk Practitioner, Distance Healing, Weight Loss Expert, Health Coach, Author
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Helping researchers lose the fear of being wrong is an important part to the process. Here, it can be very useful to remind them that many great inventions came about as a result of "a mistake".

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4 Prepare and practice

The fourth step to help researchers overcome imposter syndrome is to prepare and practice their presentation in advance. You can help researchers plan and structure their presentation, and provide them with clear and relevant guidelines and expectations. You can also help researchers practice their presentation, and give them feedback and suggestions on their content, delivery, and style. You can also encourage researchers to rehearse their presentation in front of a friendly and supportive audience, such as peers, mentors, or colleagues.

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5 Focus on the message

The fifth step to help researchers overcome imposter syndrome is to focus on the message and the purpose of their presentation, rather than on themselves and their performance. You can help researchers clarify and communicate their main points, arguments, and implications, and how they relate to the audience's needs, interests, and goals. You can also help researchers use effective visual aids, examples, and stories, to enhance their message and engage their audience.

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Vyara Bridgeman

Advanced BodyTalk Practitioner, Distance Healing, Weight Loss Expert, Health Coach, Author
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It's very important to stay focused on the Why rather than the What. Reconnecting with the purpose and the motivation behind doing research is a big factor in overcoming imposter syndrome. When the Why is big enough, the How takes care of itself.

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6 Seek feedback and support

The sixth step to help researchers overcome imposter syndrome is to seek feedback and support from others, both before and after their presentation. You can help researchers solicit and receive feedback from various sources, such as peers, mentors, experts, or reviewers, and use it to improve their presentation and their skills. You can also help researchers access and utilize various resources and tools, such as online courses, workshops, books, or podcasts, that can help them develop their presentation and communication skills. You can also provide researchers with ongoing support and guidance, and help them cope with any challenges or difficulties they may encounter.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Rose Covenant, Somatic Architect

Heal your trauma and stop repeating destructive patterns | For conscious people who've "done the work" but still feel disconnected | The Recalibration Effect | 1:1 Mentorship | 🌟FREE GUIDE - unlock your next level ⬇️
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If you're experiencing imposter's syndrome when presenting research findings, it's probably also happening elsewhere in your life. Get curious about what emotions are coming up for you. Get curious about what presenting might be triggering in you. Maybe feeling imposter's syndrome is an invitation to go deeper into building internal safety and healing through whatever caused the feeling of 'what if everyone finds out that I have no idea what I'm doing' in the first place.

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Michelle Marikos

Peer Support Specialist ❤️🩹 PEER™ Method creator & facilitator. Helping providers and people living with chronic pain communicate with empathy to restore wellbeing and avert burnout. 2X certified. CLICK 🔔
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Imposter Syndrome can be surprising in the way is shows up and rears its ugly head. One way I have found is to have strong beliefs and values in the work that I am doing. If you truly believe in the work and the goals of the work it can help to suppress imposter syndrome and the feeling that are associated with it.

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How can you help researchers overcome imposter syndrome when presenting their findings?

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1 Acknowledge the issue

2 Highlight the strengths

3 Reframe the mindset

4 Prepare and practice

5 Focus on the message

6 Seek feedback and support

7 Here’s what else to consider

Research Management

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