Work & Career

Imposter syndrome is when you feel undeserving of your accomplishments or position in the workplace. It often stems from self-doubt and feelings of inadequacy. Despite your past successes and qualifications, you may believe you’re not actually smart enough to work in your current position. You may even feel that you’ve somehow fooled people into believing you’re competent, so fear being exposed as a fraud by your coworkers or managers. Although it’s not recognized as a psychiatric disorder, imposter syndrome can involve negative self-talk that contributes to stress at work.

The Dunning-Kruger effect takes place when you overestimate your skills or competency. Known as a cognitive bias, it stems from lack of self-awareness, as you fail to take an objective look at your limitations and inexperience. In some cases, you might assume that skills in one area can easily transfer to another area. For example, perhaps you believe that because you’re a skilled driver, you could also fly an airplane. In the workplace, the Dunning-Kruger might lead you to take on tasks that are beyond your current skillset, resulting in stress and burnout.

Metacommunication is “communication about communication.” It takes the form of additional verbal or nonverbal cues that can change how the initial message is supposed to be understood. Metacommunication can support or contradict the original message. For example, if you say, “I’d love to help you with that,” with a warm smile, your facial expression is confirming your verbal message. However, if you make the same statement with an eye roll, you’re indicating sarcasm or irony. Understanding the subtleties of metacommunication can enhance your job networking skills and interviewing abilities, as well as improve your relationships—both inside and outside of the workplace.

Intrinsic motivation involves engaging in an activity simply because you find it satisfying. For example, you might watch a lengthy video because you find it interesting and enjoyable. Extrinsic motivation, on the other hand, involves engaging in an activity to either avoid a consequence or to gain an external reward. In this case, you watch the video not because it’s enjoyable, but because it’s required by your employer or it contains material you need to know for work. Understanding your own intrinsic motivations can help guide you toward a more satisfying career.

The best jobs for adults with ADHD are those that play to your unique strengths while minimizing your weaknesses. For example, it’s easier to stay focused if you’re doing work that you’re passionate about or sincerely enjoy. On the other hand, certain jobs that require a lot of mundane work or repetition can be difficult if you’re easily bored or struggle to maintain focus. If you’re energetic and enjoy fast-paced environments, you might consider being a firefighter, bartender, or stockbroker. If you often crave social stimulation, a career as a teacher or sales representative could be ideal. Or you can flex your creative muscles in positions such as designer, chef, or hairstylist.