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When someone tells you that you don’t belong here, it can hurt – a lot! What happens when that
voice comes from inside your head? This week, Chris and Jake take on “Imposter Syndrome” and
interrogate how something so common place can be experienced differently by folks from historically
marginalized communities. Chris offers a few tips on how to navigate feeling like a fraud while public
speaking and Jake explains why he uses an alias when ordering at his local coffee shop.

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Resources/materials:
Started studying in the 70s: “In the past five years we have worked in individual psychotherapy,
theme-centered international groups, and college classes with over 150 highly successful women --
women who have earned PhDs in various specialties, who are respected professionals in their fields,
or who are students recognized for their academic excellence. However, despite their earned
degrees, scholastic honors, high achievement on standardized tests, praise and professional
recognition from colleagues and respected authorities, these women do not experience an internal
sense of success. They consider themselves to be “impostors.” Women who experience the
impostor phenomenon maintain a strong belief that they are not intelligent; in fact they are convinced
that they have fooled anyone who thinks otherwise.”

Excluded from the Study: “The impact of systemic racism, classism, xenophobia, and other biases
was categorically absent when the concept of imposter syndrome was developed. Many groups
were excluded from the study, namely women of color and people of various income levels, genders,
and professional backgrounds. Even as we know it today, imposter syndrome puts the blame on
individuals, without accounting for the historical and cultural contexts that are foundational to how it
manifests in both women of color and white women. Imposter syndrome directs our view toward
fixing women at work instead of fixing the places where women work.”

A Human Experience: “Do you feel like a fraud? Many of us do. Perhaps you started a new job and
believe you have less experience than you need, despite being the perfect candidate on paper. Or
maybe your boss trusted you with an assignment that you feel totally unprepared to lead, regardless
of your flawless track record. There is a name for this feeling: imposter syndrome. Around one-third
of young people suffer from it, and 70% of everyone else is likely to experience it at some point in
their lives.”

Public Speaking Tips: “Screwing up will make the audience like you more. No, seriously. It’s called
the Pratfall Effect, and it’s a known psychological phenomenon. When someone makes a mistake,
we feel like they are human and vulnerable and we like them more as a result. So remember: the
audience is on your side (unless they’re sociopaths, they are in the audience because they like you),
and those little mistakes are just going to endear you to them.”

BONUS: Podcast Recommendation – Work Life by Adam Grant: “I can’t do this.” “I didn’t
deserve this promotion.” “When will they find me out?” If you’ve had thoughts like these, you aren’t
alone. Nearly 70% of people have experienced imposter syndrome—even some of the most
successful ones! The difference is in how they can use imposter thoughts as fuel, rather than a fire
to burn them out. Adam shares three steps you can take to harness your own self-doubt as a fuel for
success, and why we stand to gain more from embracing our insecurities rather than hiding from
them."