“One can choose to go back toward safety or forward toward growth. Growth must be chosen again and again; fear must be overcome again and again.”

― Abraham Maslow

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Key Takeaways:

1. Imposter Syndrome is defined as a persistent feeling of self-doubt, attributing success to luck rather than competence, and fearing exposure as a 'fraud'.

2. Imposter syndrome can affect anyone, regardless of their professional level or age.

3. In a professional context, imposter syndrome can limit creativity, performance, and career progression by acting as an invisible barrier to taking on new opportunities, risks, and self-advancement.

4. Imposter syndrome often originates from a mix of personal, environmental, and societal factors, such as fluctuating family praise/criticism, perfectionist tendencies, high-pressure environments, and societal stereotypes.

5. Schooling and certain trainings can influence imposter syndrome by encouraging subservience to authority, which may result in not expressing personal insights or disagreements in professional settings.

6. Overcoming imposter syndrome involves three main steps: 1) recognizing it, 2) interrupting its negative thought patterns, and 3) building more productive patterns of thinking and behavior.