Addressing Impostor Syndrome in 30 Minutes

Impostor Syndrome is the feeling that you aren’t really qualified for the work you are doing and will be discovered as a fraud. Many women, People of Color, QUILTBAG persons, and others from marginalized groups experience Impostor Syndrome, especially when they’ve (we’ve) been socialized to value others’ opinions of work above their own. People developing new skills (something we must do constantly in tech) are also prime sufferers. Want help overcoming your Impostor Syndrome and decreasing its incidence in your community? This talk is for you.

These slides are very light on descriptions, but video of the talk should be up shortly. I will update this description at that point.

Transcript

1. Addressing
   Impostor
   Syndrome
   @CrystalMHuff #ImpostorSyndrome
   

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2. I am Impostor Syndrome,
   and so can you!
   Yes, you.
   

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3. AFGO
   

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5. “In every job I’ve had in the last 25 years, I’ve been the first
   woman to hold my position—head of computer science and
   Dean of Science at the University of British Columbia, Dean
   of Engineering at Princeton, and now President of Harvey
   Mudd College. As my career progressed, so did the intensity
   of my feelings of failure.”
   

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6. Some definitions for us all ...
   Impostor Syndrome is:
   ● A psychological phenomenon in which people have trouble
   internalizing their accomplishments.
   ● Possibly what’s going on when you say to yourself, “I lucked out to be
   here; it has nothing to do with my skills or experience.”
   ● Not a medical diagnosis.
   ● Really, really, really common. Particularly amongst high achievers.
   ● Term coined by Drs. Pauline Clance & Suzanne Imes in 1978.
   

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7. Some definitions for us all ...
   Kyriarchy is:
   ● Combo of Greek “kyrios” (lord, master) and “archein” (rule,
   govern).
   ● Intersecting, institutionalized oppressions of sexism,
   racism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, etc.
   ● Word coined by Elisabeth Schussler Fiorenza in 1992.
   

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8. Have you received this message?
   “We’re sorry, but there’s been a mistake. We
   didn’t intend to accept your project submission,
   or your proposal to speak at this event, or your
   membership application to this group...”
   

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9. Have you received this message?
   “We’ve reviewed your promotion packet, and you’
   re not even qualified for the job you have right
   now!”
   

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10. Everyone raise your hand if you’re able to do so!
    [Photo Credit: “Raising Hands to the Sky at Rally to Close the Gaps,” Fibonacci Blue, CC]
    

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11. Why Does
    Impostor Syndrome
    Happen???
    

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12. Pro Tip:
    “Fake it until you make it”
    results in feeling like you’ve faked it.
    

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13. The kyriarchy is rife in society.
    We're not “supposed” to be good at this.
    

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14. Public reveal of projects
    causes public critique.
    

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15. Comparing
    our
    worst
    to
    snapshot
    of
    another’s
    best
    

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16. False Dichotomy
    Being Liked vs. Being Competent
    

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17. Internalized
    Criticism
    

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18. What are
    the Results of
    Impostor Syndrome?
    

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19. Less Effective
    As Collaborators
    

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21. Lower Satisfaction...
    

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23. What are Results of Impostor Syndrome?
    Marginalization
    and
    Silence
    

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24. How do we get inoculated?
    

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27. Own
    It!
    

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28. Talk With Your Friends
    

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29. Reprise
    

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30. Ask Questions
    

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32. Make Mentorship a
    First-Class Activity
    (Not Unpaid Emotional Labor)
    

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38. When trying to change
    your habits ...
    Find yourself a replacement behavior!
    

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41. Clever,
    Competent,
    and
    Kind
    

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43. Every expert was
    once a beginner.
    

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44. Hello! My name is __________________________________
    and I am the expert in this room on ____________________
    because _________________________________________
    _________________________________________________
    _________________________________________________
    _________________________________________________
    

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45. jpbijos
    on DeviantArt
    

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