3 ms·

Just spitballing here, but in my experience guys tend to not open up about their imposter syndrome, perhaps because it shows weakness.

efnx 13y ago
That could be true. I know I have a pretty heavy case of imposter syndrome, but in times of my own egomania I like to think that it's actually just the other side of the Dunning-Kruger effect. As long as it isn't debilitatingly severe, imposter syndrome seems more like the trademark of a humble man (or woman). What's wrong with that?
- britta 13y ago
  Humility is great, but when people call something a "syndrome" (a word usually associated with disorders/diseases), they usually mean that the thing is interfering with your life - humility taken too far, to a degree that is making you feel worse and causing problems for you. Impostor syndrome can mean that you have difficulty taking pride in your work (since all you can see are the problems with it), which makes it difficult to share your knowledge - which isn't good for other people who might want to know about it and learn from it, and isn't good for your reputation and career growth. Impostor syndrome can also mean that it's hard for you to ask questions (and admit that you don't know something!), since you're worried that you don't know as much as you should, which makes your work harder. Not taking pride in your work and not asking questions also means that you're not really being the best role model for people looking up to you - your coworkers, people who work for you, volunteers who help with your project, etc. (This is based on what I learned from the impostor syndrome presentation described at http://adainitiative.org/2013/06/kicking-impostor-syndrome-in-the-head-lessons-from-adacamp-dc-and-sf/ http://adainitiative.org/2013/06/kicking-impostor-syndrome-i... .)
johnward 13y ago
I don't know if it's weakness. I'd say it's more along the lines of lack of self confidence. You do tend to see this more from females. Source: male who thinks he has no valuable skills but manages not to get fired somehow.
- deleted 13y ago
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tankbot 13y ago
Glad you posted this, even though you were probably afraid of sounding sexist! :) It's very true, though. Historically men are not allowed to have feelings or ask for help or show weakness. I think this is changing, but I have zero evidence (even anecdotal) to draw from.
ds9 13y ago
Thanks for posting that, I'm a male who has had the imposter feeling sometimes. However, I eventually realized 2 things: (a) Learning in any area means learning, among other things, how much there is to know. This makes one feel humble (at best) - yet in reality one's own knowledge is probably way above average by the time you get to this perspective. (b) Some people who appear competent (and in some cases think themselves competent) really aren't. Don't assume too much in either direction!

efnx 13y ago

That could be true. I know I have a pretty heavy case of imposter syndrome, but in times of my own egomania I like to think that it's actually just the other side of the Dunning-Kruger effect. As long as it isn't debilitatingly severe, imposter syndrome seems more like the trademark of a humble man (or woman). What's wrong with that?

britta 13y ago
Humility is great, but when people call something a "syndrome" (a word usually associated with disorders/diseases), they usually mean that the thing is interfering with your life - humility taken too far, to a degree that is making you feel worse and causing problems for you. Impostor syndrome can mean that you have difficulty taking pride in your work (since all you can see are the problems with it), which makes it difficult to share your knowledge - which isn't good for other people who might want to know about it and learn from it, and isn't good for your reputation and career growth. Impostor syndrome can also mean that it's hard for you to ask questions (and admit that you don't know something!), since you're worried that you don't know as much as you should, which makes your work harder. Not taking pride in your work and not asking questions also means that you're not really being the best role model for people looking up to you - your coworkers, people who work for you, volunteers who help with your project, etc. (This is based on what I learned from the impostor syndrome presentation described at http://adainitiative.org/2013/06/kicking-impostor-syndrome-in-the-head-lessons-from-adacamp-dc-and-sf/ http://adainitiative.org/2013/06/kicking-impostor-syndrome-i... .)

johnward 13y ago

I don't know if it's weakness. I'd say it's more along the lines of lack of self confidence. You do tend to see this more from females. Source: male who thinks he has no valuable skills but manages not to get fired somehow.

deleted 13y ago
[deleted]

tankbot 13y ago

Glad you posted this, even though you were probably afraid of sounding sexist! :) It's very true, though. Historically men are not allowed to have feelings or ask for help or show weakness. I think this is changing, but I have zero evidence (even anecdotal) to draw from.

ds9 13y ago

Thanks for posting that, I'm a male who has had the imposter feeling sometimes. However, I eventually realized 2 things: (a) Learning in any area means learning, among other things, how much there is to know. This makes one feel humble (at best) - yet in reality one's own knowledge is probably way above average by the time you get to this perspective. (b) Some people who appear competent (and in some cases think themselves competent) really aren't. Don't assume too much in either direction!