I'm feeling very lucky to be in attendance at the 2024 SUNY Technology Conference in Lake Placid - and I would love to chat with any WIT subscribers also at the conference.
There are 2 sessions with direct connections to the WIT, one tomorrow morning "What's With All These 'OA's" and How Can They Help Me, covering some of the great professional affinity groups that SUNY members can join, and one tomorrow afternoon "Landing Your Dream Job" covering career stories on how to set yourself up for success. And of course, 3 days of other fabulous sessions and speakers. If you are not here this year...start planning for next year!
This week I'm revisiting the concept of Imposter Syndrome. You know, that sense that even very well qualified people - and according to a lot of articles mostly women and underrepresented group members - have that they aren't really good enough, don't belong, and aren't ready for the tasks or jobs they are doing. This is a common topic of discussion in women-identifying affinity groups because naming an issue and recognizing that it's not personal and it can be overcome is very helpful.
But what if the whole concept is just plain wrong?
Christine vs. Work: The Truth Behind Imposter Syndrome by Christine Liu
"Typically, imposter syndrome is framed as something an individual should mentally tackle, but there’s something much larger underneath these personal feelings of insecurity, doubt, and fear. The concept itself (described as the “imposter phenomenon”) was coined in a psychology study from 1978. What was that study about, why has imposter syndrome become so popular, and what have we learned since then?
I sought answers from Jodi-Ann Burey, a speaker, writer, and podcaster working in the intersections of race, culture, and health equity. If you have feelings that are commonly attributed to imposter syndrome, Jodi-Ann suggests asking yourself questions to better identify the root cause of these “imposter-y” sensations — whether what you’re feeling is a natural human response to acclimating to a new challenge or, more seriously, an indicator that systemic discrimination needs to be addressed.
Jodi-Ann argues that imposter syndrome is a distraction. It’s a false narrative that people in power use to draw attention away from systemic problems in the workplace, like lack of opportunity, lack of fair pay, lack of diversity. The list goes on."
Wow!! That just blew me away! I encourage you to read the whole article (It's short!), to learn more. And then, consider this article suggesting that there is still value in modifying the Imposter Syndrome term for underrepresented group members.
It’s Time to Reconceptualize What “Imposter Syndrome” Means for People of Color by Kevin Cokley
"As a professor of psychology who has published research on IP for the past decade, I am sympathetic to many of the criticisms surrounding IP. I believe there are aspects about its conceptualization that need to be revisited and reconceptualized in light of emerging research findings. However, I am concerned that recommendations to get rid of the concept for people of color in particular risk throwing the baby out with the bath water. In other words, people may categorically dismiss the imposter phenomenon without understanding the important insights we have learned that can help people live happier and healthier lives.
As a result, I, along with Bernard and our research labs, have begun to define racialized imposter phenomenon as persistent beliefs or actions of intellectual and professional self-doubt among racially minoritized people due to experiences, systems, or principles of racial oppression and inequity. This definition differs from the original IP definition in that it focuses on the role that racism in the environment contributes to the self-doubt of people of color — but still recognizes the feeling of being a phony or imposter as part of the experience. We seek to bridge the individual psychology with the external structures that can cause distress."
Finally, Imposter Syndrome Is A Scheme: Reshma Saujani’s Smith College Commencement Address Reshma (founder of Girls Who Code), explained the connection between Imposter Syndrome and another older syndrome that women were tagged with - Bicycle Face! Yes that's right, and so wrong!!
Please share your thoughts about this with us on the list, I'd love to hear what you think...
All the best,
Holly
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