FEBRUARY 20, 2020

OVERCOMINGIMPOSTERSYNDROMEKyla Hunt & Cindy Fisher,

Texas State Library & Archives Commission

Presentation Outline

Ke

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MotivationDefinitionPersonal experienceWhat it looks likeStrategies for overcoming itFollow-up activity!

Intros

CINDY FISHER

Digital Inclusion Consultant.

KYLA HUNT

Library Management Consultant

To share knowledge and expertise, we all need to believe in our own

expertise and experience!

Why are we doing this?

What We’re Hearing

Kristin Chirico / BuzzFeed

What We’re Hearing

Kristin Chirico / BuzzFeed

What We’re Hearing

Kristin Chirico / BuzzFeed

What We’re Hearing

Kristin Chirico / BuzzFeed

What We’re Hearing

“I’m not an expert, I only…”

I’m not an expert, I don’t…”

“I’m not qualified…”

A real term for when people feel like they’re faking their expertise, but aren’t.

What is Imposter Syndrome?

How we’ve experienced

imposter syndrome

KYLA

How we’ve experienced

imposter syndrome

CINDY

Have you ever decided against applying for an opportunity (job, presentation, promotion) because you doubted your expertise?

Yes

No

I don’t remember

Poll

Have you ever felt not completely qualified to do your job?

Yes

No

I’d prefer not to say

Poll

… including library workers

Reasons people may feel like imposters

Or people expect me to know this already!“I should know this.”

(Don’t brag, don’t brag, don’t brag)

“I should be humble.”

People of color can feel a double burden of imposter syndrome.

“I don’t belong here.”

If feedback isn’t perfect, we must be a failure… right?

Perfectionism

Feedback is a gift!Difficulty managing criticism

What else?

Faces of Imposter Syndrome:Minimizing Expertise

Lurking / Not Joining in

Conversations

Dismissing the importance of a skill

or knowledge

(“everyone already knows this”)

Minimizing Success as “Luck”

Disbelieving Praise

Using minimizing language: “In my

opinion” or “Just…”

Internal pressure to be perfect

Faces of Imposter Syndrome:Examples In the Library Field

As a profession, we set very high standards because we want to help

ALL THE PEOPLE

Juggle many responsibilities [“wear many hats”] which leads to burnout

and not finishing projects which we point to as failures

Tendency to compare our work with others and be discouraged with own

accomplishments [“I’m not doing enough!]

Decide against applying for a job, scholarships or speaking engagements

because “others are more qualified”.

Lack of job scope

Wearing so many hats that you’re

not able to focus or complete

tasks

WHAT CAUSES IT

Lack of opportunities for feedbackNo way to check in if you’re on

course

Lack of expectations during onboarding

You never received a clear way to

evaluate your success

Lack of network

No way to receive affirmation that

you are doing a good job

Strategies for Overcoming It

Positive affirmations and self-talk

Find a community to share doubts and get buoyed when positivity is in

need

Establish achievable goals (long term, short term)

Monitor the language that you use with yourself – avoiding minimizing or negating language

Strategy #1

When someone apologizes, instead of saying “no worries” or “it’s ok” say “thanks for apologizing” or simply “thank you.”

When talking or writing, avoid words like “just,” “in my opinion,” or “I think.” Simply say or write your opinion or your thoughts - they’ll know it’s from you!

Strategy #1 Example

Collect and revisit positive feedback

Strategy #2

If you receive formal recognition, collect documentation in a drawer, revisiting on the 1st of the month.

If you receive informal recognition (a compliment, etc.), instead of dismissing it, say “Thank you!” and write it down!

Strategy #2

Share your knowledge - even if you aren’t sure it’s worth sharing.

Strategy #3

Speak out more at work meetings

Seek out an opportunity to share knowledge -propose a webinar or presentation topic to a professional organization or the Texas State Library

Strategy #3

Over the next month, brainstorm a possible presentation or webinar topic based on your knowledge and experience.

In one month we will email you a reminder, at which time we would like you to respond with a plan:

• How would you like to share your knowledge (on a TSLAC webinar, blog post, at your own local network, as a future TLA conference)

• What topic would you like to present on?

Challenge!

Resources• “Harvard Business Review – Overcoming Imposter Syndrome” by Jill Corkindale

• “Jumping into the Deep: Imposter Syndrome, Defining Success, and the New Librarian” by Sajni Lacey and Melanie Parlette-Stewart

• The Librarian Parlor, Imposter Syndrome Tag

• “Dealing with Imposter Syndrome and Feeling Like You Belong” by Clare Sobotka

• “Imposter Syndrome: When You Might Be A Fraud” by Alison Green

• “Do You Suffer From Imposter Syndrome?” by Olivia Fox Cabane

• “Do You Suffer From The Imposter Syndrome?” by Morty Lefkoe

• “The Imposter Syndrome” by Caltech Counseling Center

• “What is Imposter syndrome and how can you combat it” by Elizabeth Cox, Ted-Ed

• “Battling Imposter Syndrome in the Workplace” - LLAMA

• “9 Telltale Signs You Have Impostor Syndrome” by Melody Wilding

• 13 Charts That Will Make Total Sense To People With Imposter Syndrome by Kristin Chirico

• Imposter Syndrome Hits Harder When You’re Black by Jolie A. Doggett