Self-assessment and signal recognition

Decoding the negative internal dialogue

To diagnose whether we are immersed in this phenomenon, we must pay attention to our internal discourse, those automatic "voices" that arise in the face of success or challenge. It is essential to identify recurring phrases that devalue our achievements.

For example, when faced with a good result, do you think "Surely it was an administrative error" or "They gave me the project because there was no one else available"?

Another clear indicator is systematic minimization: "It's no big deal, anyone could have done it" or "I did well in the presentation only because the audience was nice, not because I was clear".

This type of thinking reveals an inability to take ownership of the credit and a tendency to look for external explanations as to why things went well, rather than accepting one's own competence.

Tangible career consequences

Beyond the emotional discomfort, impostor syndrome leaves visible traces in the professional career.

One clear sign is self-limitation: refusing promotions or new responsibilities because of the certainty of not being up to the task, despite being objectively qualified.

It also manifests itself in the financial and negotiation arena: people with this profile tend not to ask for salary increases or to charge below-market rates if they are self-employed, because they underestimate the real value of their work and experience.

In addition, it can lead to voluntary stagnation, where the individual prefers to stay in a position where he/she is overqualified but feels "safe", avoiding risks that could expose him/her, which in the long run generates frustration and lack of progression.

Mapping personal triggers

Effective recognition requires identifying which specific situations act as trigger buttons for our anxiety.

These triggers vary from person to person, but typically include evaluation or exposure scenarios.

It may be the moment of speaking in a team meeting, where the fear of saying the "wrong" thing elicits silence.

It may be receiving feedback, even positive feedback, that generates suspicion or discomfort.

Or everyday situations such as starting a new creative project or taking on a leadership role.

By conducting an audit of these moments - asking ourselves "Where do I get stuck?", "What situations make me feel small?" - we can begin to map our insecurity and prepare to manage it.

Summary

To diagnose the phenomenon, we must identify the negative internal dialogue and recurring phrases that systematically devalue our achievements or attribute them to causes outside ourselves.

The syndrome generates tangible consequences such as professional self-limitation, leading to rejection of promotions, avoidance of salary negotiations or stagnation in secure positions for fear of not measuring up.

It is essential to map personal triggers, such as speaking up in meetings or receiving feedback, to understand which specific situations trigger anxiety and prepare to manage them appropriately.