Dr. Shadé Zahrai

Now, when this is weak,

Yes.

Let's explore what this looks like.

So if this is weak, if you struggle with your agency, we see a number of patterns here.

The first one is the dreaded imposter syndrome, where you have achieved things in your life, amazing things, maybe recognition, maybe awards, maybe an amazing job title.

And yet you feel like you don't deserve it.

You feel like someone is going to highlight that you shouldn't be where you are.

And so essentially what it comes down to is that you believe other people think you're smarter

or more competent than you really are.

Now, a few things about imposter syndrome.

The term imposter syndrome was not the term that was used initially when it was discovered.

Back in the 70s, 80s, when it was first observed, they called it the imposter phenomenon.

Now, what's the difference between a phenomenon?

So a phenomenon is basically where you observe something in a population of people.

A syndrome is something that seems medical and seems pathological and seems like something is wrong with us.

Okay.

And so we need to think, when we feel like an imposter...

It's actually far more common than you'd expect.

In fact, some studies have found up to 82% of people have felt like an imposter at some point.

And the beautiful thing about feeling like an imposter is it is a sign that you are growing.