We Are Not Imposters
I highly recommend a book by Elizabeth Leiba, “I’m Not Yelling (A Black Woman’s Guide to Navigating the Workplace).” I love this book because she both provides well-researched information about race-related challenges and shares about the inner work that she has done and is doing to overcome imposter feelings and claim her own power. I’m learning to be a better ally to Black woman by understanding their experiences more deeply.
I am also resonating with the chapter titled, “Imposter Syndrome or Imposter Treatment?” I am Hispanic (mixed, of Mexican descent). My mom was the first in her family to attend college. I am the first in my family to get a Ph.D. and work in corporate America. In fact, I’m the only one in my extended family of my (or my parents’) generation to work in corporate America. I have identified with having “imposter syndrome,” defined as a “psychological condition that is characterized by persistent doubt concerning one's abilities or accomplishments accompanied by the fear of being exposed as a fraud despite evidence of one's ongoing success” (Merriam Webster dictionary). While this syndrome can affect anyone, it’s more likely to happen in women and people from underrepresented populations.
Doing a quick Google search has made me realize how this term has been pathologized, as article after article talks about it as a psychological condition. Leiba cautions against considering imposter syndrome as an individual psychological weakness. Rather, she points out that imposter syndrome is caused by external forces, such as racial and gender discrimination. I agree – once we label ourselves, we can wind up blaming ourselves for it and identifying with it. We need to instead focus on building ourselves up – and to follow Leiba’s example: “I stopped calling my doubt imposter syndrome. I acknowledge that there is trauma associated with not having been accepted or valued in some of the predominantly white spaces I have navigated. Rather than recall that trauma, I affirm within myself that I belong where I am and anything I need to learn to be more proficient can be accomplished. Until then, I am enough.”