Debunking Imposter Syndrome as a Women's Issue

Bossed Up

When did you first experience imposter syndrome? So many people resonate with feeling like frauds who sweet-talked their way into their positions and could be found out, socially ostracized, and fired at any moment.

Imposter syndrome or impostorism is often seen as a women’s issue, and I am always quick to stress this isn’t the case—it’s a human issue. A recent report provides some new numbers that raise a different question: is impostorism a men’s issue? In this episode, I break down what these findings really reveal.

It’s time to refocus the imposter syndrome conversation:

• Why this is so often considered a women’s issue;
• What the research says about who really experiences impostorism;
• Which traits actually lead to feelings of ineptitude.

Related Links:

• The original research on imposter syndrome - https://www.paulineroseclance.com/pdf/ip_high_achieving_women.pdf
• Korn Ferry’s Workforce 2024 study - https://www.kornferry.com/content/dam/kornferry-v2/featured-topics/pdf/workforce-2024-report.pdf
• Fortune, The Share of Fortune 500 Businesses Run By Women Can’t Seem to Budge Beyond 10% - https://fortune.com/2024/06/04/share-of-fortune-500-businesses-run-by-women/
• Harvard Business Review, Women Rising: The Unseen Barriers - https://hbr.org/2013/09/women-rising-the-unseen-barriers
• Episode 425, The Gender Confidence Gap Myth - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode425
• LEVEL UP: a Leadership Accelerator for Women on the Rise - https://www.bossedup.org/levelup
• Emilie’s book, “Bossed Up” - https://www.bossedup.org/book
• Bossed Up Courage Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/927776673968737/
• Bossed Up LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7071888/