CALS 505

I approached my Learning Development Plan with courage. And the minute I submitted it, my Imposter Syndrome kicked in. Why did I think I could write and publish articles? What have I done exceptional enough to put on a personal website? What if I say something stupid? The questions became an earworm, playing on a never-ending loop in my brain.

 Usually, it is at this point that my Imposter Syndrome compels me to change course and focus on something “safer”. But this is not a normal time. I have given myself six months to figure out my “next chapter.” I want to embrace this opportunity with intention and courage, not driven by the fear that I am faking it or unqualified. This new chapter needs to start with managing my imposter syndrome. 

To learn more about this, I stepped out of the assigned readings and turned to the work of the Imposter Syndrome Institute and, more specifically, the research of co-founder Dr. Valerie Young. According to this source, Imposter Syndrome is the persistent belief that a person’s success is undeserved because they are not as intelligent or competent as perceived, often combined with a feeling that one day they will be exposed as an imposter (Leruste, 2022). Success is attributed to luck and a strong belief that if “you can do it, anyone can” (Young & Herfurth, 2022). A person experiencing Imposter Syndrome can be especially hurt by constructive feedback, interpreting it as a sign of incompetence (Young & Herfurth, 2022). I have experienced these symptoms to varying degrees and at different times. And I am not alone – research finds that 70-84% of people suffer from Imposter Syndrome (Diagram 1).

In her book The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women: Why Capable People Suffer from the Impostor Syndrome and How to Thrive in Spite of It (2011), Dr. Young describes five kinds of Imposters – Perfectionist, Natural Genius, Soloist, Expert, and Superwoman/man, representing different definitions of competency and, by default, competency rules that result in several possible coping mechanisms (Diagram 2). For example, a person could be guided by the rule that they must always know the answer and, as a result, never ask questions. Understanding the five types of imposters and the competency rules they follow makes it possible to redefine competence and avoid Imposter Syndrome. 

In her interview on the Uncondionalist Podcast with Mark Leruste, Dr. Young recommends making a conscious decision on which path to take, so life decisions are guided by intention and not perceived expectations or definitions of success. She recommends conducting a personal reflection by asking, “What does my pattern help me avoid, what does my pattern protect me from, and what does my pattern help me get” (Leruste, 2022, 21:00). Dr. Young then encourages owning your definition of success by deciding what you want your life to look like and what costs you are willing to incur to reach this success (Leruste, 2022, 30:00). I believe that this process will help ensure my “next chapter” is driven by me and not my perceptions of what I should/need to be.

Dr. Young provides many great ideas to minimise the imposter voice that lingers in my thoughts. The research I have done to date provides a better understanding of the  “what, where, and how ” of Imposter Syndrome and clear recommendations for course correction. With this guidance, I believe I can become a better leader by moving from, as Dr. Young advises, “having an imposter life, to having imposter moments,” which hopefully are few.

References

Leruste, M. (2022, March 31). #161 What the hell is Impostor Syndrome anyway with Dr Valerie Young. The Unconventionalists. https://theunconventionalists.com/episode/161

Young, V. and Herfurth, C.,  (2022, July 7). Impostor Syndrome Institute. https://impostorsyndrome.com/

Young, V. (2011). The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women: Why Capable People Suffer from the Impostor Syndrome and How to Thrive in Spite of It. Crown Business.