Uprooting Imposter Syndrome

Chronic feelings of inadequacy, fear of being “found out” as a fraud, difficulty using your voice, all despite tangible success and positive feedback. Does this sound familiar to you? This pattern of experiences and feelings is often referred to as imposter syndrome, or imposter phenomenon. Originally coined in 1978 by psychologists Pauline Rose Clance, PhD and Suzanne Imes, PhD, imposter syndrome was described as an internal experience of self-doubt plaguing high-achieving women (1, footnote). The scholarship on imposter syndrome has evolved significantly over the years, resulting in helpful critiques, tips, and guidance. Below I’ll review some insights that can help those of us who experience imposter syndrome uproot these feelings and ground ourselves in critical consciousness, compassion, and confidence.