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The surprising “cure” for imposter syndrome
Years ago, I was in a national piano competition.
As I waited backstage, I heard the master of ceremonies read my bio and this line: “Renita was chosen ‘Audience Favorite’ in a previous competition.”
Oh no, I thought. What if they hear me play and think: “Really? She was ‘the audience favorite’?!”
I went on stage and gave the worst performance of my life.
Ever had something like that happen to you?
Cracked under pressure in an investor pitch or client negotiation and not performed at your best?
Of course you have.
What trips us up in these situations is not lack of ability. Rather, it’s our fear that we’ll be exposed as a fraud.
As if we’re Frank Abagnale Jr., the con artist who posed as a PanAm pilot, a doctor and a lawyer, without any qualifications.
But there’s a big difference:
An imposter is someone whose identity is greater than their capabilities. They overestimate their ability.
identity > capability
“Imposter syndrome” is when your capability is greater than your identity. You underestimate how good you are.
