The Puzzle of “Impostor Syndrome”

The phenomena called “Impostor Syndrome” is neither a DSM diagnosis nor an isolated condition. Persistent feelings of being a fraud, getting “found out,” or the belief that you got where you are due to luck, charm or circumstance doesn’t happen in a vacuum. There are a myriad of nuanced, neutral and nefarious circumstances that contribute. 

While negative self-talk, self-doubt and your specific upbringing are contributing factors to feeling like a fraud, it’s just a part of the puzzle. The truth is there are many external & systemic factors that also contribute to women and other marginalized groups feeling like they don’t belong in the corporate world.

Last year Ruchika Tulshyan and Jodi-Ann Burey wrote a powerful article in Harvard Business Review entitled, “Stop Telling Women They Have Impostor Syndrome.” As the authors point out, Impostor Syndrome is often weaponized, making women feel wrongly pathologized, placing the burden of responsibility solely on the individual. In these cases, Impostor Syndrome is a symptom of a much bigger problem. 

So what is Impostor Syndrome anyway? What contributes to the debilitating, exhausting self-doubt of Impostor Syndrome?

Enter Valerie Young and her “seven good reasons to feel like an impostor” from her incredible book, The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women: Why Capable People Suffer from the Impostor Syndrome and How to Thrive in Spite of It.

Young breaks down the personal, interpersonal and circumstantial factors that exacerbate the manifestation of Impostor Syndrome. Over the next few weeks, I’m going to unpack these seven good reasons for you. My hope is to lift the curtain on the mechanics of Impostor Syndrome and offer strategies to tame it.

P.S. I’m expanding my practice and accepting new clients. Learn more here.