You’re going to hear a talk about a psychological syndrome.

You will hear the talk

twice. The first time, just listen. Then I’ll ask you to tell me generally what the
speaker is talking about. Are you ready?

It’s about impostor syndrome, which is a feeling that your success is underserved,
and you don’t belong in your role. The speaker gives recommendations for coping
with it.

Now listen to the talk again. This time make some notes as you listen, if you want
to. Then I’ll ask you to tell me how the speaker describes impostor syndrome and
what recommendations he gives for coping with it. Are you ready? Now tell me how
the speaker describes impostor syndrome and what recommendations he gives for
coping with it. You have one minute to talk.

Suggested points

1. Example of impostor syndrome: a teacher who doubts why the students obey him
2. Definition of imposter syndrome: a feeling that success is undeserved and you
are a fraud in your role etc
3. It affects a lot of people, 7 out of 10, especially high achievers, eg
executives
4. Originally associated with woman in times of greater gender inequality, now
everyone
5. Possible cause – anxiety in personality
6. Possible cause – childhood trauma of demanding parents or siblings leading to
inferiority complex
7. Possible cause – institutional factors – eg ethnic minorities feel like they
don’t belong
8. Recommendation – change thought patterns, separate fact from feeling, remember
you are worthy
9. Recommendation – keep physical reminders of your success
10. Recommendation – talk to a friend

script
As a teacher, I’ve sometimes found myself in front of a class of teenagers, asking
myself why they are listening to me and even obeying me, when they don’t really
want to. I’m just some guy, I don’t actually have any power over them.

This is an example of impostor syndrome, a common feeling that your success is

undeserved, and you are an impostor in your role. It affects people from all walks
of life, but disproportionally, high achievers, such as executives. One study
estimated that 7 out of 10 people have felt it at some point.

Impostor syndrome was originally identified by two psychologists who suggested

women were prime candidates due to the pronounced gender inequalities of the 1970s,
which left women doubting their success. The original publishers of the research
have since admitted it affects everyone.

There are many possible, disputed, factors behind the syndrome. It could be down to
personality traits such as anxiety manifesting themselves. Some experts suggest it
starts in childhood, when demanding parents, or siblings who leave others under a
shadow, plant the seeds of an inferiority complex.

Institutional factors can also play a role. Ethnic minorities are more likely to
feel like impostors for the simple reason that they look slightly different from
everyone else, so may lack a sense of belonging.

Since impostor syndrome if more a pattern of negative thoughts than a diagnosis,

changing the way we think is the key to overcoming it.

Psychologists recommend separating fact from feeling. When you have doubts about
your ability to perform the role you are paid for, just remember that you were
hired for a reason, you can do it.

Tangible prompts for this can help, such as displaying your qualifications or
saving a thank you card from when you did a good job.

One thing we all do that is probably counter-productive in these circumstances is

compare ourselves to others. There will always be annoyingly beautiful, rich, and
young people doing better than us, but that doesn’t mean we can’t also do the job
well.

Another useful remedy, given the frequency of the syndrome, is to reach out to a
friend. A problem shared is a problem halved, and they may help put everything in
perspective for you.

That’s the key point: perspective. Some level of self-doubt is natural, the
alternative would be unthinking arrogance, but we shouldn’t let it hinder our
personal or professional lives.