Join the Breakup Movement
“I asked, ‘How many of you struggle with impostor syndrome?’ And 100% of the hands went up, equally across all genders, including gender fluidity, like across the board, every hand went up.” - Brené Brown
You might recognize imposter syndrome showing up in your thoughts as, “Am I in the right place?”, “They picked me, but why?”, “They must have made a mistake,” “I shouldn’t be here.” Or you're feeling nervous in a new job or scared that your ideas might be shut down in a meeting - but are you an imposter if you feel this way?
“Stop Telling Women They Have Imposter Syndrome” is among the Harvard Business Review’s top 100 most-read articles in history. This article, my research, my coaching experience, and my personal experience, tell me that imposter syndrome isn’t something that’s limited to an individual. It’s a problem that we are all experiencing, and it’s time that we treated it that way.
“Even famous women — from Hollywood superstars such as Charlize Theron and Viola Davis to business leaders such as Sheryl Sandberg and even former First Lady Michelle Obama and Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor — have confessed to experiencing it.” - Ruchika Tulshyan and Ann Burey
If everyone is feeling these feelings of doubt, how can it be a syndrome?
The authors argue the term ‘imposter syndrome’ is a distraction, a false narrative. It’s a term coined in the 1970’s, and it’s time we questioned its relevance. The reality is that most people, men and women, experience moments of unhelpful self doubt, especially at work. If this happens it is not a syndrome and you are definitely not an imposter.
And these issues are exacerbated for women of color. These feelings of self-doubt and otherness come from our constant position in corporate workplaces: being both a woman and a person of color. The intersection of these two aspects implies, even if it’s not specifically said, that we don’t belong in these white- and male-dominated spaces despite our qualifications.
I could go on and on about the impacts of imposter syndrome on us as individuals and our society, but instead I encourage you to check out the resources below and create a plan for the next time you’re feeling less than.
It's not me imposter syndrome, it's YOU! Are you ready to join the breakup movement?
* Note: While imposter syndrome can impact anyone across the gender spectrum, I feel that it’s important to focus on the impact on women and women of color in today’s world. *
Have you had personal experiences with self doubt? Let me know any tips or ideas you have for handling it!
READ
Read time - 5 min
Stop Telling Women They Have Imposter Syndrome
The answer to overcoming imposter syndrome is not to fix individuals but to create an environment that fosters different leadership styles and where diversity of racial, ethnic, and gender identities is viewed as just as professional as the current model.
LISTEN
Listen time - 5 min
Imposter Syndrome
Brené Brown speaks with Jodi-Ann Burey and Ruchika Tulshyan about imposter syndrome and the articles they have written together on the topic.
WATCH
Watch time - 12 min
The Truth Behind Imposter Syndrome
The concept of Imposter Syndrome was coined in a psychology study from 1978. What was that study about, why has imposter syndrome become so popular, and what have we learned since then?
When you’re ready, here are some options to grow your leadership:
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