Impostor Syndrome
KIM MORGAN
AUTHOR
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
PSYCHOLOGIES MAGAZINE
COLUMNIST
MASTER CERTIFIED COACH
MA IN COACHING
LEADING COACHING COMPANY IN UK
CREATOR OF COACHING PRODUCTS
MY COCKTAIL:
IMPOSTOR SYNDROME
WITH DASHES OF:
PEOPLE PLEASING
PERFECTIONISM
What is Impostor
Syndrome?
Term coined by
clinical psychologists
Pauline Clance and
Suzanne Imes in
1978
Inability to internalize
accomplishments
Chance, charm,
connections or luck
Inability to believe
own competence:
Success brings relief
rather than joy
WHEN AND IN WHOM DOES IT OCCUR?
Can be job specific or can extend into other roles such as parenting or
relationships
Most likely to occur during times of transition, or facing a new challenge
or new role
Also likely to occur when we are not representative of our
peers/colleagues (education, gender, race, style, background)
Clance and Imes claimed more common in successful women (1978)
Psychologist Gail Matthews APA research paper (1984) 70% of people
reported experiencing feelings of Impostor Syndrome
INTRODUCTIONS IN THE STYLE OF…….
I’m not as good as they think I am.
I am going to get “found out”
sooner or later
I didn’t really do anything – I was just lucky and also
people were kind to me
Anyone could do it – it’s
nothing
Everyone else here is better
than me. I feel such a
fraud..
WHAT ARE
THE COSTS
TO YOU?
COMPLIMENTARY PROJECTION AND POOR
DECISION MAKING
OVER-RELIANCE ON CHARM, FLATTERY, PEOPLEPLEASING
PERFECTIONISM – AGONIZING OVER THE
SMALLEST MISTAKE
RUMINATION
On a more positive note…
Ironically these feelings inspire extreme
conscientiousness and greater effort, resulting in more
success!
Most of us press on in spite of nagging
self-doubt but anxiety tends to remain
Less likely to engage in blagging, self-promotion
or academic or professional dishonesty - plagiarism or
cheating
People who see themselves accurately (as
attested by outside observers) are less
psychologically well than those who have a
slightly unrealistically positive self-regard
HOW TO ADDRESS IMPOSTOR SYNDROME
1. Origins. What is behind it? How relevant is that old situation to who you are now?
2. Is there any truth in it? Collect objective feedback from people you trust and respect
3. Address REAL gaps in experience, skills, qualifications
4. Achievement Time Line – how did YOU contribute to all your achievements. What was your
contribution to luck, timing, connections?
5. Write an imaginary magazine interview with you, seeing you through the eyes of a third party
who wanted to showcase you and your achievements.
6. What is the cost to you? What is the benefit to you?
7. Practice speaking differently about yourself in a way which is authentic to you. Start somewhere
safe…
LIKE HERE…………FINAL EXERCISE
“WE ARE ALL ORDINARY. WE ARE ALL BORING.
WE ARE ALL SPECTACULAR.
WE ARE ALL SHY. WE ARE ALL BOLD.
WE ARE ALL HEROES.
WE ARE ALL HELPLESS.
IT JUST DEPENDS ON THE DAY.”
BRAD MELTZER
thank you
KIM MORGAN
[email protected]
@barefootcoaches