Ask Christa! Humility or Imposter Syndrome? (S1E6)
Summary In this episode of Ask Christa!, Christa Dhimo explores the complexities of imposter syndrome—which is actually and originally called imposter phenomenon—and humility. She distinguishes between the two concepts, explaining that imposter phenomenon is a feeling of self-doubt regarding one's achievements, often attributing success to external factors such as luck rather than personal capability. In contrast, humility involves graciously accepting recognition, and often includes acknowle...
Summary
In this episode of Ask Christa!, Christa Dhimo explores the complexities of imposter syndrome—which is actually and originally called imposter phenomenon—and humility. She distinguishes between the two concepts, explaining that imposter phenomenon is a feeling of self-doubt regarding one's achievements, often attributing success to external factors such as luck rather than personal capability. In contrast, humility involves graciously accepting recognition, and often includes acknowledging the contributions of others. Christa provides resources for further understanding of these topics, and encourages listeners to continue learning and developing as imposter phenomenon is an experience many have had and will feel.
Key Take Aways
· Imposter phenomenon is not a syndrome; it is an observation backed by research.
· Humility is the ability to accept recognition with grace.
· Imposter phenomenon affects how individuals perceive their work.
· Humility allows for genuine connections during recognition.
· The concept of imposter phenomenon applies to various demographics, not just women.
· Continuous questioning and seeking support is essential for personal growth.
Additional Resources:
Clance, P. R., Imes, S., Georgia State University, University Plaza, & Atlanta, Georgia 30303. (1978). The imposter phenomenon in high achieving women: Dynamics and therapeutic intervention. In Psychotherapy Theory, Research and Practice (Vol. 15, Issue 3). https://www.paulineroseclance.com/pdf/ip_high_achieving_women.pdf
Dr. Pauline Rose Clance - IMPOSTOR PHENOMENON. (n.d.). https://paulineroseclance.com/impostor_phenomenon.html
Staff, H. B. (2023, May 23). Success 2.0: The Psychology of Self-Doubt | Hidden Brain Media. Hidden Brain Media. https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/the-psychology-of-self-doubt/
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00:35 - Understanding Imposter Phenomenon
01:53 - Understanding Humility
02:19 - The Experience of Imposter Phenomenon
02:44 - Humility as a Behavior and a Trait
02:56 - The Perception of Imposter Phenomenon and Humility
03:34 - Resources and Further Learning
Hi everyone, and welcome to Ask Christa!, the place where you can ask questions about how to work through business challenges and workplace issues. I'm Christa Dhimo and today's question is, “When reflecting on success, how can we tell if we’re being humble by downplaying our work success or feeling like an imposter and therefore we are downplaying our work success?”
I’m recording this on a Monday, and just over the weekend, I received several questions about Imposter Syndrome. It’s a big topic. It’s an important one, and commonly perceived and felt, too.
For starters, I’ll give a foundational perspective.
Imposter Syndrome is actually and originally called Imposter Phenomenon, and that is because it's an observation backed by research versus a syndrome. A syndrome is a condition based on symptoms that are typically medical in nature.
Imposter phenomenon is rooted in someone feeling that recognition or promotion or a special invitation or award as part of that recognition—that it's a fluke… a single unique moment in time when someone accomplished what they did, not because of internal factors like how smart they are or how experienced they are and how truly capable they are-- as everyone else sees them, but because of external factors like luck or timing or effort provided for that one thing that they are being recognized for that one time.
Or maybe they feel like, if it weren't for that one person who helped me along—the one who put my name in so I got the assignment, I wouldn't have achieved what I achieved.
As result, they feel that they somehow fooled others into thinking that they're more capable than they actually are, hence the word imposter.
Now, humility is different. That's your ability to receive recognition and achievement with gratitude while also being generous those who influenced and contributed to your achievement.
You're not denying or questioning your achievement though, nor are you contemplating whether you deserve it.
You're accepting it in a way that shows you don't take it for granted, but you do accept it. With imposter phenomenon, people feel distressed because their perception of their work—their success—is so different from others' perception of the same work. Someone experiencing imposter phenomenon usually accept that they achieved something, but they believe the achievement is because of something that occurred outside of them versus being who they are and how capable they are.
Humility is a behavior and a trait. It can be natural or learned as a style that in many instances is very effective—but obviously it has to be and feel genuine.
Imposter phenomenon is a perception or perspective that may appear the same as humility, but it's rooted in thinking you cannot so easily accept a reward or promotion or top position because on the inside, you aren't yet convinced you are deserving of it. And remember: it's not because you didn't actually achieve what you did, but because you feel that you achieved it through something else other than just yourself. Again, it was a fluke. In fact, the recognition doesn't prove that it can or will happen again or could be repeated because there were other factors involved.
For this segment’s resources the first is the original paper that coined the term Imposter Phenomenon. It's by Pauline Rose Clance and Suzanne Imes from Georgia State University, published in the Fall of 1978 called "Imposter Phenomenon in High-Achieving Women, Dynamics and Therapeutic Intervention."
I also have a webpage from Dr. Pauline Rose Clance called Impostor Phenomenon.
There's also a wonderful Hidden Brain episode in the Success 2.0 series called “The Psychology of Self-Doubt,” where Dr. Kevin Cokely, a foremost scholar on imposter phenomenon and self-doubt, guests.
It was a short question, and therefore a short segment—but all questions are being answered as they come in, so keep them coming! I'm here to support and lift you up. We have a wonderful community, and I appreciate the support too. So follow on my website AskChrista.com, that’s Christa with a C-H, and while you’re there, ask a question and subscribe to my weekly newsletter, too. And of course, if you have a business question or workplace issue—Ask Christa!
