The Research On Impostor Syndrome Might Surprise You

Dr. Lisa Orbé-Austin is a leading researcher and a licensed psychologist who specializes in impostor syndrome. In our recent interview she shared what she knows from the research, some of which might surprise you.

First, impostor syndrome is really, really common. About 70% of people deal with it. Men and women feel it. People of all races and generations and backgrounds feel it. When we feel impostor syndrome we seek external validation to make us feel worthy. 

Our success becomes externalized and our failures become internalized. This means we blame ourselves. We think, “If I fail, it's because I'm not capable, I'm not good enough, I don't belong here.” This experience often stems from childhood experiences, says Orbé-Austin, including “familial dynamics where we get labeled in very particular roles. So maybe we're the smart one for whom everything comes easily. When things get difficult, we then feel we're not as smart as people think we are.”

In our conversation Dr. Orbé-Austin dispels some common myths about impostor syndrome- including claims you might see on social media. And here is my favorite takeaway from our conversation- you’ll have to listen to it for more!

My Ask to You!

In my interview I share how my own impostor syndrome has frozen me many times. But research shows that women learn to lean into our impostor feelings, and I’m doing that now. And so I’m asking you this: because as you know, mental health conversations are now top of mind for leaders, HR professionals and workers, on campus, and in our everyday lives. 

I am available as a keynote speaker or workshop leader for your organization's 2024 professional development programming. My award-winning work normalizes emotions in the workplace and helps people understand that anxiety and other mental health issues are common, that they can help us build resilience and key skills, and that they are built into the very fabric of leadership. 

My conversations help employees, teams, and leaders:

• Understand and manage how anxiety shows up at work

• Lead and thrive through uncertainty 

• Use leadership anxiety as an advantage

• Manage perfectionism, the need for control, and overwork

• Grow mentally healthy teams and culture

• Navigate mental health discussions in a multi generational workplace

• Model—and communicate—mentally healthy behavior as a leader of an organization

In 2023, I gave over 50 talks to organizations as varied as Google, Vanguard Group, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and Applied Materials.

I’d love to discuss how I can bring The Anxious Achiever-- and a more fulfilling work life-- to your organization! Thank you so much.

Morra 

Select highlights from The Anxious Achiever, the book and podcast:

“Favorite Leadership Podcasts of the Year” from Harvard Business Review

Number 3 in the “Top 23 Leadership Books of 2023” from Next Big Idea Club

Shortlisted for 2023 Thinkers50 Distinguished Achievement in Leadership Award

2023 Winner of the Mental Health America Media Award

The Anxious Achiever from Harvard Business Review Press was a Financial Times Best Book of April and featured in the Boston Globe, The Wall St Journal, TED, Fortune, Quartz, CNBC and more. Find all my updates on my blog.