impostor syndrome

impostor syndrome

An experience characterized by persistent feelings of inadequacy and incompetence despite one's training or accolades to the contrary. It is typically accompanied by the fear of being exposed as a fraud. The term is attributed to clinical psychologists Pauline R. Clance and Suzanne A. Imes. Despite the connotations of its name, "impostor syndrome" is not considered a mental illness. Despite having three degrees, I constantly worry that I will be exposed in the office as a fraud, so yeah, I guess you could say that I struggle with impostor syndrome.
See also: syndrome
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • rest on (one's) laurels
  • rest on laurels
  • rest on one's laurels
  • rest on your laurels
  • style it out
  • bring (someone) back out
  • bring back out
  • have (something) on (one's) conscience
  • hold a grudge
  • on all sides
References in periodicals archive
The Impostor Syndrome was coming out, I didn't believe that people were telling me the truth.
"Sometimes it's easy to get impostor syndrome and think, 'Oh my God I am not supposed to be here, everybody can see that, blah blah blah.' But it's important to have those moments when you stress, because it then makes the highs feel so much higher."
- Easy ways to handle self-doubt, fears, and impostor syndrome when networking with executives and leaders.
"Going into the elite field is quite psychologically scary and there was a bit of impostor syndrome and thinking do I deserve to be here at the start line with the best 25 women across the whole world," she said.
They discuss building confidence; overcoming barriers to confidence; dealing with impostor syndrome; using mental preparation secrets of top athletes; dealing with overconfidence; acing interviews; looking more confident in a presentation; developing a leadership voice; cultivating a culture of confidence; being confident, connected, committed, and courageous; helping employees overcome self-doubt; confidence and women; why so many incompetent men become leaders; and how less competent people are more successful.
Those connections help women support each other, battling feelings such as "impostor syndrome," where women question whether they have the qualifications to start a company or embark on a particular venture, Burton said.
"I still have a little bit of impostor syndrome, it never goes away, that you're actually listening to me," the US former first lady told an audience at Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School, an all-girls high school in North London, the BBC reported.
In some ways, this strategy of imagining to have superpowers is an antidote to the impostor syndrome, a common experience of feeling powerless and undeserving of your position or role.
Summary: Actress addresses concerns such as impostor syndrome and confidence in her two memoirs
"When I think I'm bad in a movie and it's confirmed by my best friends and then I win an Oscar -- that will give you impostor syndrome right away." Lawrence can be her own harshest critic.
Surrounded by all of that brainpower and hustle, I suffered from a new type of anxiety: impostor syndrome. Obviously I had fallen through the cracks, and they didn't realize I wasn't supposed to be there.
Question: Have you experienced "impostor syndrome" and do you have advice for early career researchers who have it?
One way to conquer impostor syndrome is to consult your mentors and let them know how you feel.
'The beauty of the impostor syndrome is you vacillate between extreme egomania and a complete feeling of: 'I'm a fraud!
It's commonly known as Impostor Syndrome. Chances are, we've all felt it.