The Impostor Syndrome Files

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about relationship building. While relationship-building tends to happen more naturally than we think, many of us hesitate to reach out and build connection with others due to self-doubt and other fears. My guest this week, Ingrid Goldbloom Bloch, excels at relationship building. Here she shares insights and practical tips to help us feel mo...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about the fear of public speaking. And by public speaking, we’re not referring to a keynote address in front of hundreds of people. We’re talking about the everyday moments in our work when we have to speak up in meetings or present our work to our teams. These moments can trigger intense anxiety and self-doubt, but they don’t have to. My gu...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about what my guest this week, Melody Wilding, calls sensitive strivers. The term sensitive strivers refers to those of us who think and feel more deeply than others while also putting a lot of pressure on ourselves to set goals and succeed. This combination of traits tends to leave us more susceptible to self-doubt and impostor syndrome. He...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about the power of our voices and the importance of projecting confidence. My guest this week, John Henny, is a vocal coach for singers and speakers. Here we explore the ways in which we may neglect our voice when preparing for important meetings, the assumptions we make about what our voices are capable of, and how we can strengthen our voi...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about trauma in the workplace. While we tend to think of trauma as the effects of violence, death or injury, there are more subtle forms of trauma happening around us in the workplace at all times. My guest this week, Rosie Yeung, an “un-executive” coach for Asian and racialized women, shares her perspective on trauma in the workplace and ho...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about what keeps us from reaching our full potential. Although we want to continue to grow, take risks and achieve our goals, our brains want to keep us safe. This means we have a bias towards our comfort zones because what’s comfortable to us has proven to have kept us alive. Unfortunately, what got us here won’t get us where we want to go....

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about the pressure that many of us, particularly women of color, feel to downplay our authentic selves in the workplace. My guest this week, Tricia Montalvo Timm, author of the book, Embrace the Power of You, Owning Your Identity at Work, shares her journey as a first-generation Latina and how her quest to assimilate led her to hide parts of...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about the workplace experience and what each of us can do to influence our environments. While it’s tempting to point the finger at others when we’re unhappy with our workplace cultures, my guest this week, Dr. Shahrzad Nooravi shares that each one of us has responsibility for the culture. Her empowering perspective allows us to recognize th...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about what makes us decide whether or not to stay in our current roles or organizations. Trends like the Great Resignation have shown that employees are willing to leave their jobs if their needs aren’t met. So what can managers and companies do? My guest this week, Anne Donovan, a former HR leader turned entrepreneur, is on a mission to mak...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about power. Many of us reject the idea of power because we don’t like the concept of power over others. My guest this week, Noomi Natan, reframes power, not as the power to control but as power from within. And most importantly, she shares that power is not about us. Connecting with our inner power is not about self-service but about being...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about how impostor syndrome undermines our confidence and keeps up playing small in the workplace. This week, I talk with Tracy Pruzan-Roy, a high-performance leadership coach, who shares her story of rising from entry-level to senior executive in the media and entertainment industry. She talks about the ways in which impostor syndrome showe...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about writing our resumes. I’ve never met anyone who looks forward to updating their resume. But it’s an important part of the career management process. My guest this week, Fatemah Mirza, a certified resume master, shares strategies to help us move past self-doubt and humility to craft a resume that best reflects our strengths and orients u...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about the benefits of failure. While most of us want to continuously learn and challenge ourselves, many of us end up playing it safe. We get stuck in fixed mindsets that keep us from reaching our full potential and living the lives we want to live. My guest this week, Zach White, is a consultant who began his career as an engineer and now h...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about our tendency, as humans, to start things we don’t finish. Many of us enthusiastically start something new, only to walk away when we get uncomfortable. This often leaves us with feelings of guilt, self-doubt and regret. But why do we do this? And what can we do about it? My guest this week, Tim Vandehey, author of the book, “Swipe: The...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about time. Why do so many of us struggle with time? Why do we feel so out of control of our own calendars? And how do we keep ourselves from reaching our breaking point? My guest this week, Marissa Lee, is an HR leader and thought leader on what she refers to as time wealth. Marissa shares her journey with time and how she came to realize t...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about the unfortunate prevalence of inappropriate behavior in the workplace. When this happens to us, we’re often blindsided and unprepared for how to best respond. It can lead us to doubt ourselves and second-guess our own behavior. And even our organizations may not be prepared to adequately address the problem. My guests this week, Wesley...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about making career transitions. My guest this week, Danielle McCombs, shares her story of having transitioned from a 20-year career in the commercial real estate industry to an entrepreneur. She talks about the ways in which a growth mindset helped her to manage the fears associated with making a change and take the risks needed to step int...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about humanizing the workplace through greater self-reflection and emotional intelligence. My guest this week, leadership development expert Kristen Harcourt, shares her perspective on the need for more human-centered workplaces. While most of us are so focused on doing, fewer of us make the commitment to ongoing self-reflection to better un...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about negotiation. While many of us understand the basic skills involved in negotiations, our ability to practice these skills can be undermined by fear, self-doubt and limiting beliefs. This week, I talk with Moshe Cohen, a negotiations expert, mediator, author and senior lecturer at Boston University, about why it’s so hard for us to negot...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about leadership as an identity, one that empowers us to own our own destinies. My guest this week, speaker, coach and author Sabine Gedeon, shares her story of transitioning from corporate HR leader to entrepreneur. We also address important challenges facing women in leadership, including the need for greater self-awareness so that we unde...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about the importance of self-leadership. Particularly for those who represent historically marginalized groups, it’s easy to assume that we lack power in our workplaces, but each of us has more power than we think we do. My guest this week, Meenakshi Iyer, founder and principal at NorthStar Solutions and Services, shares her personal story o...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about the ways in which our need to prove ourselves, combined with our fear of being exposed as a fraud, lead us to overwork and potential burnout. My guest this week, Caroline Rae, shares her story of living in a burnout cycle for over 15 years because of a constant need to prove herself, driven, in large part, by impostor syndrome. She als...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about our natural tendencies to neglect self-care because it feels too selfish or because we don’t believe we have the time. My guest this week, John Chilkotowsky, executive coach and former executive leader, shares his story of how a panic attack changed his relationship with himself and his work. He also shares insights for others who migh...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about new ways to think about leadership in a changing world. My guest this week, Keith Rovinelli, is an HR consultant and firefighter who shares his views on leadership, including the importance of kindness and service to others, and how he’s able to transfer lessons and experiences between his two full-time roles. Keith also shares his pas...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about success, including how we define it and whether that definition actually works for us. My guest, Jean Tien, intuitive mindset coach, author and podcast host, shares her S.U.C.C.E.S.S. method, which is designed to help us define and achieve success on our own terms, rather than in ways that are influenced by external pressures. We also...