Feeling like a legal fraud? You’re not alone
Ever wonder if you’re truly qualified for your job or had feelings of not being good enough? Even though you’ve worked hard, got the qualifications and achieved great results? Is there a nagging voice in the back of your mind that rears its ugly head, whispering, “You don’t deserve it… they’ll eventually find you out”? Whether you’re a new lawyer stepping into the courtroom for the first time or a seasoned professional with countless cases under your belt, self-doubt plagues even the sharpest legal minds, undermining confidence and casting a shadow over achievements. Research shows that a staggering 62% of knowledge workers globally experience imposter syndrome in some form, so you are certainly not alone if you do suffer from these feelings and doubts.
In this guide we’ll help you understand why you can be more susceptible to imposter syndrome as a lawyer, identify your imposter syndrome type and learn how you can do the work to overcome it.
By conquering imposter syndrome, you can:
- Boost your confidence and self-belief
- Reduce stress and anxiety
- Perform better at work
- Feel more fulfilled in your legal career.
Ready to silence your inner critic and become the empowered lawyer you deserve to be? Keep reading!
So why lawyers? The pressure cooker effect
Legal professionals are particularly susceptible to imposter syndrome for a number of reasons:
High-stakes environment
Legal work often involves significant consequences, where a single mistake can have a profound impact and implications for clients and cases. This pressure intensifies the fear of being exposed as being inadequate or incompetent.
Perfectionist culture
The legal industry tends to foster a culture of perfectionism, where even minor errors can be perceived as significant failures. This relentless pursuit of perfection contributes to heightened self-doubt and anxiety among lawyers.
Constant evaluation
Lawyers face continuous scrutiny and evaluation of their skills and performance, both internally within their firms and externally by clients, judges, and peers. Being under the microscope so much can reinforce feelings of inadequacy and fuels imposter syndrome.
But did you know that imposter syndrome can manifest itself in different ways, in different people?
The imposter’s many faces: recognising yourself
Dr. Valerie Young, one of the world’s leading experts on imposter syndrome, has identified five main types of imposter syndrome:
1. The perfectionist
- You find it hard to delegate, and even when you do, you find fault with what’s been done.
- You’ve been accused of micromanagement or know you micromanage.
- You obsess over little details and incessantly overthink situations.
Perfectionists set extremely high goals/standards for themselves and this relentless pursuit of flawlessness fuels self-doubt. Even minor edits in a document, for example, can trigger anxiety and convince them they are incompetent or not good enough. This constant state of dissatisfaction often stems from a belief that success is never truly satisfying because they could’ve done even better. But that’s neither productive nor healthy. Owning and celebrating achievements is essential if you want to avoid burnout, find contentment, and cultivate self-confidence. Typically, perfectionists are also perceived as control freaks and feel that if something needs to be done right, they have to do it themselves.
2. The expert
- You won’t apply for a job unless you can tick every single criteria listed on the job advert.
- Even if you’ve been in your job for a long time, you still feel you don’t have enough experience or know enough.
- You are always looking at additional training or qualifications because you feel you need to keep building your skills to succeed, finding comfort in accreditations and certificates.
Experts feel like they never know enough and constantly strive for mastery. Every legal nuance becomes a personal Everest to conquer for them, and they measure their self-worth by how much they know or what they can do. This fear of being exposed as inexperienced or lacking enough knowledge can be crippling.
Experts often fall down a rabbit hole of endless learning. It’s true that there’s always more we could all be learning, and staying up to date and informed is crucial. However, the constant pursuit of new skills can morph into procrastination, especially if used as an excuse to delay applying what they already know.
Focus on ‘just-in-time learning’ instead. This means acquiring skills when you have a specific need, like a complex case requiring a deep dive into a specific legal area. Don’t get caught up in stockpiling knowledge for a future that might not even require it.
Teaching others is another great way to solidify your own expertise. Mentoring junior colleagues or volunteering your knowledge can not only benefit them, but also boost your confidence. By sharing your knowledge, you might discover you’re not an imposter after all!
3. The natural genius
- You’ve always been the ‘straight A student ’or are used to achieving success without much effort.
- You were always told as a child that you were the ‘smart one’.
- Your self-confidence suffers when you are faced with a setback.
Natural geniuses believe intelligence and competence should be effortless and come naturally to them. If they face any struggle or take a while to master something it feels like proof of inadequacy and they feel a lot of shame and self-doubt. This type tends to set very high standards for themselves, like the perfectionists, but added to that they expect themselves to get everything right the first time! So, when they find themselves in a highly competitive environment as lawyers do, it can be incredibly overwhelming as they are forced to challenge themselves.
Even naturally gifted minds need to learn and refine their skills. Instead of self-criticism when you encounter challenges, focus on identifying specific, changeable behaviours that you can improve over time.
Take action, not avoidance. For example, if you struggle with public speaking, actively seek opportunities to practise and hone your presentation skills rather than avoid doing it. Focus on areas where effort leads to growth, not areas where you feel lacking. Remember, even geniuses have to learn to walk before they run.
4. The soloist
- You always feel like you need to accomplish things on your own.
- You say ‘I don’t need anyone’s help’ all the time.
- You find it hard to accept constructive criticism.
Soloists feel that asking for help is a sign of weakness and demonstrates a lack of competence or ability, despite being successful or having achieved great things. They are highly independent to their detriment and often feel overwhelmed or isolated with feelings of self-doubt.
If this resonates, don’t be afraid to ask for help or leverage your network. If you’re stuck on a task, seeking help from a colleague or a supportive supervisor is a sign of strength, not weakness. Even the most experienced professionals encounter challenges. Collaboration is key and a fresh perspective or shared workload can help you overcome hurdles and achieve even greater success.
5. The superhuman
- You feel guilty when you take a break and can’t relax.
- You feel stressed even when you aren’t working.
- You always feel the need to be doing something.
Superhumans need to be the hardest worker and achieve the most to feel worthy. Work-life balance? Practically non-existent for this type – they are workaholics. Unlike perfectionists that are always aiming to do things flawlessly, superhumans want to do more. These high achievers put a lot of pressure on themselves to excel in all areas of life to justify their success, working long hours and incessantly to make up for their insecurities.
Validation is their vice and can be very dangerous for superhumans. They crave external approval that comes from constantly working, not necessarily from the tasks themselves. Breaking free from this cycle requires recognising your worth doesn’t depend on external factors. It’s about acknowledging your achievements and skills.
The first step is acknowledging you might be a workaholic. Once you recognise the pattern, you can start making positive changes. This could involve setting boundaries, delegating tasks, and scheduling downtime for activities you enjoy. Remember, your self-worth comes from within, not from external validation.
Key strategies to slay the imposter
You may have recognised a variety of traits in yourself across different imposter syndrome types, and you may very well be a blend of two or more types. Regardless of which type(s) you are, people with imposter syndrome all suffer massively with self-doubt, low levels of self-confidence and often feel that they are not worthy. This can hinder your growth professionally and personally and have a negative impact on your happiness.
So how can you overcome imposter syndrome?
The first step is to recognise you might have imposter syndrome and regardless of what type you are, there are a number of things that you can do to help manage and overcome it.
1. Recognise your triggers
Identifying what triggers you or sparks these feelings is the best place to start tackling imposter syndrome. Take a moment to self reflect. Do you experience self-doubt when starting a new case, after you’ve been promoted, or at a networking event? Notice how certain situations make you feel. By recognising your triggers you can develop coping mechanisms and anticipate moments when self-doubt might creep in.
2. Cultivate self-compassion
Imposter syndrome thrives on negativity so try to replace harsh self-criticism with self-compassion. Be kind to yourself and forgive your mistakes, embrace your flaws, and accept that growth is a journey with setbacks. By having more self-acceptance, you can build resilience and silence your inner critic.
3. Celebrate your wins and strengths
Imposter syndrome can distort your perception of your capabilities, leading you to undervalue your strengths and skills. It’s also easy to downplay your successes and attribute them to external factors or luck. Combat this tendency by actively acknowledging and celebrating your accomplishments and skills.
Celebrate your wins, big or small – a favourable court ruling or receiving a positive client email or feedback, for example. Focus on the positive and keep a running list of achievements (in a diary or notebook or folder perhaps) to remind yourself of your capabilities and fuel your confidence when you have low feelings.
4. Reframe your inner dialogue
Imposter syndrome thrives on negative self-talk and irrational fears. Challenge the accuracy of these thoughts by asking yourself, “Are my fears based on reality, anxieties or lies?”. Use empowering affirmations to work through the negativity – replace “I’m not good enough” with “I am capable” or “I am worthy of success”. The language you use with yourself is so important – positive self-talk can help reinforce your strengths and remind you that challenges are opportunities to learn and grow.
5. Prioritise self-care
A demanding legal career can take a toll on your physical and mental well-being, making imposter syndrome feel like an even bigger problem. Make self-care a priority by adopting healthy habits and taking time for yourself. Regular exercise, getting a decent amount of sleep, and trying mindfulness practices can significantly improve your resilience and overall mental health. Taking care of yourself not only helps you to cope better with stress but will also help reinforce your belief in your capabilities as a competent and capable lawyer.
Beating the imposter: join BARBRI’s Masterclass
If you’re ready to take the next step in overcoming imposter syndrome, consider joining our Beating Imposter Syndrome Masterclass. This 90-minute live workshop is designed to provide lawyers with the tools and strategies needed to combat self-doubt and embrace their full potential. Learn from experts, engage with peers, and equip yourself with the knowledge to silence your inner critic.