August 20, 2009
The Impostor Syndrome?
The feeling that you are an impostor, a fraud, claiming money, or credit for doing what comes naturally. You are not therefore really that good. It is simply that it is easy for you.
I heard this described as the impostor syndrome: I dislike the syndrome intensely. Years ago in response to it I found this and labelled it as “An Antidote to the Imposter Syndrome”. Looking back, I am becoming aware that this syndrome disproportionately afflicts women. Rarely do I hear men talk in these terms. For me this makes it even less acceptable. Coach and blogger Doyle Morris has more on this aspect of the syndrome here.
The Antidote: ‘Nelson Mandela’s Inaugural Speech
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous.
Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of god. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do.
We were born to make manifest the glory of god that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
Did Mandela Really Say This?
No. It is actually from a book by one Marianne Williamson. Though it is widely thought of as Nelson Mandela’s.
The Impostor Syndrome is the feeling that you are not as smart, talented, or skilled as everyone thinks you are. You can take an impostor test at http://www.ImpostorQuiz.com
Why do you dislike the concept?
(I’ve now re-edited the piece to make it clearer that I dislike the syndrome rather than the concept – with thanks to Dr T!)
I suppose what I dislike is the necessity for such thing as the Imposter Syndrome. I feel it is a tragedy that good people feel, or are perhaps made to feel, that they are imposters. I wouldn’t for a moment want us all to go around feeling arrogant! On the other hand feeling like an imposter is almost as bad.
PS Dr Tree Hugger – I do love the name:)
Hehe, thanks
So you just don’t like that this appears to exist. I thought you perhaps felt that it was just one of those labels put on something to make pretend that it’s real.
I definitely don’t like it, but I think it’s an unfortunate truth amongst academics and the like.