Cultural Insecurity

Introduction

People who shame or resist to follow their tradition in presence of others or other cultures with the
feeling that their tradition and culture would not be praised by other cultures.Raymond closed down.
Sandra snapped. They both had solid records and promising career prospects, and yet they felt that
something was not working. Their bosses, colleagues, friends could tell too, but they were equally
puzzled. How could someone so talented get so lost, or lose it, in seemingly trivial discussions, for no
obvious reason?

The answer is deceptively simple and widespread: insecurity at work. The nagging worry that we are
not quite as smart, informed, or competent as we ought to be, or as others might think. The fear that we
are not good enough, or simply not enough. The second thoughts about our ideas, observations, and
even about our feelings. The constant concern about being judged.

Feelings of insecurity leave us overdependent on external factors — admiration, praise, promotions.

But even then, the feeling of achievement is generally temporary. Soon after, we turn inward, digging
inside ourselves for a vein of confidence that remains elusive.

Insecurity makes it difficult for us to make our voices heard, leaves us unable to dissent, and makes us
tentative in our work relationships. It leaves us dissatisfied, undermines collaboration, and renders our
teams less creative and efficient. If there is one enemy of authenticity and innovation, insecurity is it. No
wonder we try so hard to get rid of it.

In our work as teachers, consultants, and coaches, we have met hundreds of Raymonds and Sandras
over the past two decades. Like them, we have felt confused and frustrated by insecurity from time to
time; we know what it’s like to want to grow stronger, to want to care less about others’ judgment of our
work. And we have come to realize that perhaps the ways we understand insecurity and try to deal with
it might be part of the problem.
Just as people turn inward when they struggle with insecurity in the workplace, so do those who write
about it. Insecurity at work is commonly seen as a personal foible, associated with imposter syndrome.
Sometimes it’s linked with ambition and overwork — as in the case of people labeled insecure
overachievers. These views cast insecurity as both a flaw and a drive, the result of a deeply rooted
belief that one is a fraud, that one’s achievements are a product of circumstances rather than
competence.

Such beliefs make us cautious and resentful in relationships. If they really knew me, they would not like
me, the imposter’s story goes, but I will show them. Hence insecurity becomes a driver for chronic
efforts to prove oneself — I’m only as good as my last success. But every time, the praise that follows
achievement is quickly hollowed out by self-doubt.

While these descriptions do feel true to the experience of insecurity, they also frame it as a personal
problem — a product of our history and ambitions, talents and sensitivities. Shipping people off to a
development workshop or to a coach to “work on” their insecurity does the same thing. This approach
suits the insecure, who often quietly agree that something is wrong with them. And while coaching can
be of great help, the usual advice — set better boundaries, take some distance — puts too much
emphasis on insecurity as an individual failing. In fact, insecurity is a social issue with psychological
consequences, not a psychological issue with social consequences. In the workplace, the roots of
insecurity are often found around us, not within us.

Insecure people are made, not born. Take the insecure overachiever, a type of person that many firms
intentionally recruit and cultivate. If the only results that matter are tomorrow’s, and if you are only as
valuable as clients and colleagues judge you to be, then being an insecure overachiever is not a
pathology; it is a necessity. Becoming one is an adaptation to a cultural ideal — one that may be
personally costly and, for some, professionally harmful.

People who shame or resist to follow their tradition in presence of others or other cultures with the
feeling that their tradition and culture would not be praised by other cultures
Causes

There are multiple causes of having cultural insecurity nowadays. Some of the most prominent ones are:

● Social media and advertising promote a particular type of cultural behaviour and clothing fashion which
people thing not followed will not be praised.
● A tendency in women’s media to push western culture and attire.
● Cultural tendencies to judge people by their appearance
● Being teased or bullied as a child by the way you look

Steps to overcome

● Accept your culture - No one is perfect. Do not say harsh words about any culture and also do not accept
it. Having confidence is important. Be your friend and respect yourself, even if you have things to fix.
● Build a confidence - Do you have a habit of putting your culture down?Whenever you do this always
remind that without this you would not have been what you are,always try to look good in it and always
try to get the depth before you jump to conclusion of good or bad
● Focus the values that culture thoughts
● Be active in sharing culture ideas and believe - Your culture needs you to understand it and spread the
good and correct the wrong believe or perception on culture and the believes associated with it

DIY self help activity recommendation

● Council yourself - you need to realize that there this no perfect thing in the world and culture is just a way
of living and socialising
● Scroll through social media without making judgements on looks - It easy to judge others, but try to look
beyond appearances. Find something deeper by reading the captions. Use social media more mindfully.
● Whenever you talk about your culture you should feel proud of its good things