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06/27/24 Conversationality: Shall we retire the term "imposter syndrome"?

Hint: Yes.

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“Imposter Syndrome” seems to be a perennial topic, especially among women. But fewer and fewer of us are willing to take on the mantle of “imposter syndrome” as another thing that women should “fix” about themselves if they want to succeed.

and hash it out…and propose a potential reframing too.

Links mentioned:

Women aren’t the only ones who have the feelings ascribed to imposter syndrome, even if they’re the only ones people talk about:
https://www.americansurveycenter.org/women-are-achieving-greater-professional-success-yet-self-doubt-is-common

Incredibly accomplished technologist Telle Whitney talks about self-doubt, her internal harshest critic, and finding opportunities for growth in the gaps that internal critic exposes:
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/telle-whitney_throughout-my-lifeand-career-remembering-activity-7199434779765743618-lxMl

Reshma Saujani’s Smith College commencement speech about the “scheme” that is Imposter Syndrome.

And the post I wrote three years ago about rebranding Imposter Syndrome as the more welcome “Humility Syndrome” and how much I wish some tech CEOs had more of it.

Tell us: What do you feel about the dreaded (and gendered) “imposter syndrome?”

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