Impostor syndrome

The Impostor Syndrome: It’s not just you!

Drs. Felicia De La Garza Mercer & Lisa MeeksOctober 16, 2013

Pop Quiz Do you secretly worry that others will find out that you’re not as smart

or capable as they think you are?

Do you sometimes shy away from challenges because of nagging self-doubt?

Do you tend to chalk your accomplishments up to being a “fluke”, “no big deal” or the fact that people just "like" you?

Do you hate making a mistake, being less than fully prepared or not doing things perfectly?

Do you tend to feel crushed by even constructive criticism, seeing it as evidence of your "ineptness?“

Do you believe that other people (students, colleagues, competitors) are smarter and more capable than you are?

•Do you live in fear of being found out, discovered, unmasked?

From Dr. Valerie Young, www.impostorsyndrome.com

Workshop Agenda

What is Impostor Syndrome?

Why is this important to know about?

How to cope with impostor feelings

Feeling like a Fraud

One of These Things Is Not Like the Other

Signs of Impostor Syndrome

Self-doubt

Sense of incompetence

Frequently comparing yourself to others

Low self-esteem, self-worth

Fear, anxiety

Immobility

Stress & burnout

Under-performance

Hard to accept praise and/or compliments

Inability to enjoy your accomplishments

Sources of Impostor Feelings

“You’re so smart!”

You’re a student or new hire

The politics and culture of graduate/professional school can fuel self-doubt

You belong to an underrepresented group and are a minority in your school/work place


Sources of Impostor Feelings

But I Can Explain All ThatLuck or timing

Supposed simplicity of the task

Others help or low expectations

Computer error

Likeability

Other creative excuses…


Competence TypesThe Perfectionist

The Expert

The Soloist

The Natural Genius

The Superwoman/man/student


Coping & Protecting Strategies

Hard work to make up for “ineptness”

Holding back

Use of charm or perceptiveness

Procrastination

Not finishing

Self-sabotage


Small Changes Add UpBreak the silence and normalize feelings

It’s not just you!

Separate feelings from fact

Change thoughts and behaviors first and let feelings catch up…understand your unique “impostor pattern”

Reframe those “fraud” feelings into a sense of learning and growing


Small Changes Add UpFind a mentor, create a support system &

community

Teach and be a mentor

Remind yourself that you are not alone“Everyone else is an impostor, too.” – Tina Fey

Remind yourself of your accomplishments

True CompetenceKnowing how to identify the resources it takes to

get the job done…TimeMoney InformationPeople


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Impostor syndrome