You're Brilliant: Releasing Imposter Syndrome
In the 1970s, two female psychologists coined the term “Imposter Syndrome” during a study that focused on high-achieving women. Dr. Pauline Rose Clance and Dr. Suzanne Imes identified a trend that, “despite outstanding academic and professional accomplishments, women who experience the imposter phenomenon persist in believing that they are really not bright and have fooled anyone who thinks otherwise.” Imposter Syndrome is not a formal diagnosis - it is nowhere to be found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) - but is a very real mental condition that affects millions annually.
Let me start by being clear: The individuals who express feelings of Imposter Syndrome are - by any objective measure - brilliant, successful and accomplished.
So, what’s the disconnect? Why are brilliant, successful, and accomplished humans doubting themselves, their contributions and their outstanding presence?
To understand and heal the wounds of Imposter Syndrome, I believe we have to start with the metaphorical air we breathe: air that is suffocating with patriarchy, racism, and ableism. Let us be completely clear that it is not brilliant women, people of color, or those marginalized because of their identities who are at fault; whose doubts mean that they are the ones with the “syndrome.”
Later this year, I will turn forty years young. And within my relatively brief time on this Earth, women in the United States have experienced:
for the first time, earning more college degrees than men (1982)
the ability to climb the ladder, regardless of gender, in law firms (1984)
sexual harrasment being made illegal at the federal level (1986)
Congress passing the Women’s Business Ownership Act (1988) - allowing women to start a business without a male co-signatory
President Obama creating the White House Council on Girls and Women to promote gender equality and eliminate pay disparities (2009), and
the U.S military opening combat roles to women (2013).
It is not a coincidence that Imposter Syndrome was recognized as (mostly white) women left the home and the traditional gender role of child-rearing to join the professional workforce en masse. A workforce that, in the United States, has been largely governed, defined, informed, and advanced through the efforts of white, cisgender, and Christian men. Acknowledging this reality, how could any woman thrive or acknowledge her own success authentically in a professional environment that wasn’t built for her to be successful?
Further, while the initial study that gave rise to the term focused on high-achieving women, it did not consider or include a myriad of identities who also experience Imposter Syndrome. People of color, those who identify as 2SLGBTQIA, those who are neuro-divergent, and so many others, also report experiencing Imposter Syndrome.
Nearly seven years ago, I founded Gladiator Consulting. As much as it pains me (terrifies me. Embarasses me. Makes me want to hide) to acknowledge this, in seven years, I have build a profitable, growing boutique consultancy that is rooted in a community-centric philosophy; that challenges the false dichotomy of work-life balance; that embraces audacity as a core value; that strives to be an anti-racist institution; that provides a safe space for women of varying intersectional identities to show up as their true selves; and that allows me to model working motherhood to my children in a way that doesn’t force me to choose between my identities. Every bit of tangible evidence tells me that I am successful and that I, with my team, have built a successful business. And yet, my anxiety, my fear of failure, and the idea that our work is mediocre and fraudulent plague my thoughts daily.
What is true and what I remind myself of every day is that this workforce and reality WAS NOT BUILT FOR ME. WAS NOT BUILT FOR MY SUCCESS. WAS NOT BUILT FOR ME TO SURVIVE, THRIVE, OR CELEBRATE.
Who wouldn’t feel like a fraud under these circumstances? And, why do we persist in believing it is our fault, our failure that we feel this way?
Where do we go from here?
How do we shift responsibility from our own shoulders to the systems that do not serve us?
How do we challenge our institutions to transform, with an abundance mindset, in the direction of equity, belonging and justice for all the brilliant people, with all of their intersection identities, to live into every bit of personal and professional success and joy we can cultivate?
… This is another part where I am supposed to be brilliant and generous with my wisdom and lived experience and I’m terrified you’ll think I’m a ding dong…
Nevertheless, here’s what my lived experience tells me:
It’s important to acknowledge how history got us here– and history is real. Don’t blame or shame yourself for realities that are out of your control.
We need to change our self-talk. Brilliant, smart, badass humans - please take a moment every day to tell YOURSELF you are brilliant, smart and badass.
If you hold influence, power, or access to resources, use your powers for good.
Accept the compliment and stop talking. That’s it - that’s the tweet.
Embrace Shine Theory
You are brilliant; that doesn't absolve you of conflict, obstacles or failure - but that will only enhance your success. Don’t let Imposter Syndrome trick you into dismissing your success. And remember - success is a group effort. Let’s not reinforce the idea that our achievements happen in a silo.
If you’re interested in joining the conversation on Imposter Syndrome, join Rachel D’Souza-Siebert and Lyndsey Reichardt in AFP’s Releasing and Reframing: Imposter Syndrome