What do you think?
Rate this book
Overcoming the Impostor
Offering entrepreneurs and leaders a practical look at "impostor syndrome," leadership consultant Kris Kelso explores that inner voice that downplays our own accomplishments while amplifying those of others. Kris gives readers powerful tools needed to expose The Impostor's methods and emerge as more effective and confident leaders.
Of the many challenges successful entrepreneurs and business leaders face, none may be as damaging or difficult to conquer as silencing their worst critics their own negative nagging inner voices.
If you're a leader, innovator, or entrepreneur who's ever told yourself
"I m not supposed to be here "
"I only got lucky; but that leader has the real talent "
"I don't deserve an award. It should go to that other person "
"One of these days, everyone's going to figure out that I'm in over my head "
then you ve met The Impostor who denigrates your own competencies while praising those of others.
But, The Impostor's voice doesn't have to dominate your life or hold you back any longer from reaching your goals. Dealing with The Impostor is a mind game that you can win!
In Overcoming the Impostor, Kris Kelso breaks down how founders and leaders can recognize impostor syndrome in their own lives. He gives practical ideas for silencing their inner critics and offers attainable solutions for effectively overcoming and defeating The Impostor.
With reflection questions at the end of each chapter and practical how-to tips, Overcoming the Impostor gives you the tools and techniques to:
Change your thinking and lead with confidence
Disarm the inner critic and silence the nagging voice inside your head
Shift your perspective on what defines failure
Identify when The Impostor has been at work in your life and career in the past
Manage effectively The Impostor s appearance in the future
See how The Impostor makes you feel unique for all the wrong reasons
Understand how The Impostor leads you to self sabotage
Recognize how fear of failure, not asking for help, and comparing yourself to others invites The Impostor s influence
Understand how community and vulnerability play vital roles in helping you succeed
Use the 3 Ps Progress, Passion, and Purpose to define your success
Create ten new habits that will help you overcome The Impostor
Freeing yourself from the influence of The Impostor is not a one-time event; it s an ongoing effort. You have to change the way that you think, make some conscious decisions that are not natural or comfortable, and step forward even when you d rather stay in the background.
Overcoming the Impostor is a practical guide for starting your journey toward freedom from the beliefs that hold you back and keep you down. It s time to embrace the clarity and confidence needed to change your life and take your career to the next level.
Of the many challenges successful entrepreneurs and business leaders face, none may be as damaging or difficult to conquer as silencing their worst critics their own negative nagging inner voices.
If you're a leader, innovator, or entrepreneur who's ever told yourself
"I m not supposed to be here "
"I only got lucky; but that leader has the real talent "
"I don't deserve an award. It should go to that other person "
"One of these days, everyone's going to figure out that I'm in over my head "
then you ve met The Impostor who denigrates your own competencies while praising those of others.
But, The Impostor's voice doesn't have to dominate your life or hold you back any longer from reaching your goals. Dealing with The Impostor is a mind game that you can win!
In Overcoming the Impostor, Kris Kelso breaks down how founders and leaders can recognize impostor syndrome in their own lives. He gives practical ideas for silencing their inner critics and offers attainable solutions for effectively overcoming and defeating The Impostor.
With reflection questions at the end of each chapter and practical how-to tips, Overcoming the Impostor gives you the tools and techniques to:
Change your thinking and lead with confidence
Disarm the inner critic and silence the nagging voice inside your head
Shift your perspective on what defines failure
Identify when The Impostor has been at work in your life and career in the past
Manage effectively The Impostor s appearance in the future
See how The Impostor makes you feel unique for all the wrong reasons
Understand how The Impostor leads you to self sabotage
Recognize how fear of failure, not asking for help, and comparing yourself to others invites The Impostor s influence
Understand how community and vulnerability play vital roles in helping you succeed
Use the 3 Ps Progress, Passion, and Purpose to define your success
Create ten new habits that will help you overcome The Impostor
Freeing yourself from the influence of The Impostor is not a one-time event; it s an ongoing effort. You have to change the way that you think, make some conscious decisions that are not natural or comfortable, and step forward even when you d rather stay in the background.
Overcoming the Impostor is a practical guide for starting your journey toward freedom from the beliefs that hold you back and keep you down. It s time to embrace the clarity and confidence needed to change your life and take your career to the next level.
208 pages, Hardcover
Published January 19, 2021
14 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 18, 2021
My brother wrote a book!
OK, so my review might not be the least biased you'll see, but I'll try to be honest.
Overcoming the Impostor was an easy and interesting read on an issue I think a huge number of people face. The book was mainly geared toward entrepreneurs, since that is where Kris spends most of his professional life, but the concept of impostor syndrome and the principles he applies to that struggle in the book are applicable to everyone. I'm not an entrepreneur, but I definitely learned a lot about myself and my professional life from reading this book.
OK, so my review might not be the least biased you'll see, but I'll try to be honest.
Overcoming the Impostor was an easy and interesting read on an issue I think a huge number of people face. The book was mainly geared toward entrepreneurs, since that is where Kris spends most of his professional life, but the concept of impostor syndrome and the principles he applies to that struggle in the book are applicable to everyone. I'm not an entrepreneur, but I definitely learned a lot about myself and my professional life from reading this book.
May 7, 2021
Kris Kelson work is an interesting effort to solve a prevalent problem within people, specially high achievers and entrepreneurs. Based on his own experience Kelso explains what the Impostor Syndrome is, how common (it's not just me) it is and somehow works as a biological defense mechanism. The impostor can yield to procrastination as failure avoidance
The impostor syndrome is the internal voice, the alter-ego, that questions our competence and resists getting into the new. Kelso uses a metaphor of two characters as ways of life; the Tour Guide that moves around our comfort zone, bragging about our previous success and away from the Impostor. The second is the Explorer, willing to venture into the challenge, to learn, to grow, to fail, but pray of the Impostor, unless gains a level of confidence that makes him no match for the other.
To achieve that level of confidence Kelson proposes ten habits to develop, five related to our mindset, and five to our behavior.
The question then is how to change habits, it somehow becomes a circular problem. The impostor is a habit that needs new habits to change, the impostor will prevent us from taking new habits. Here the role of mentors, support groups and community can help.
Finally although the author explains that his model applies to non-entrepreneurs, his examples and ideas are heavily biased towards entrepreneurs, hindering its value for professionals, artists, athletes, etc.
The impostor syndrome is the internal voice, the alter-ego, that questions our competence and resists getting into the new. Kelso uses a metaphor of two characters as ways of life; the Tour Guide that moves around our comfort zone, bragging about our previous success and away from the Impostor. The second is the Explorer, willing to venture into the challenge, to learn, to grow, to fail, but pray of the Impostor, unless gains a level of confidence that makes him no match for the other.
To achieve that level of confidence Kelson proposes ten habits to develop, five related to our mindset, and five to our behavior.
The question then is how to change habits, it somehow becomes a circular problem. The impostor is a habit that needs new habits to change, the impostor will prevent us from taking new habits. Here the role of mentors, support groups and community can help.
Finally although the author explains that his model applies to non-entrepreneurs, his examples and ideas are heavily biased towards entrepreneurs, hindering its value for professionals, artists, athletes, etc.
January 6, 2021
Kris was kind enough to send me an advance copy of Overcoming the Imposter. This is a must-read for anyone embarking on becoming or who is currently an entrepreneur. I especially enjoyed Kris’s point that the presence of The Imposter is a good sign.
Kris leaves the reader with important steps to accomplish and reflect upon at the end of each chapter. He shares personal stories and examples of entrepreneurs at different stages of their journeys who have faced The Imposter. He even includes The Imposter deniers.
If you haven’t had a run-in with The Imposter yet, you will if you are doing good work. Kris’s book will help you navigate your experiences as you silence your inner critic and lead with confidence.
A must-read!
Kris leaves the reader with important steps to accomplish and reflect upon at the end of each chapter. He shares personal stories and examples of entrepreneurs at different stages of their journeys who have faced The Imposter. He even includes The Imposter deniers.
If you haven’t had a run-in with The Imposter yet, you will if you are doing good work. Kris’s book will help you navigate your experiences as you silence your inner critic and lead with confidence.
A must-read!
January 3, 2021
Fantastic personal development book that was very easy to get into!
I loved how it was very straight to the point while also sharing stories from multiple people in different walks of life, backgrounds, struggles and more. It was relatable and backed up by facts.
It was a very quick and easy read.
One downfall I saw is while I loved seeing multiple stories, I think the story-sharing sometimes wasn’t relative or a tad excessive. These parts were hard to get through.
Overall I think all entrepreneurs should read this! Very eye opening, reassuring and educational. Would read again.
I loved how it was very straight to the point while also sharing stories from multiple people in different walks of life, backgrounds, struggles and more. It was relatable and backed up by facts.
It was a very quick and easy read.
One downfall I saw is while I loved seeing multiple stories, I think the story-sharing sometimes wasn’t relative or a tad excessive. These parts were hard to get through.
Overall I think all entrepreneurs should read this! Very eye opening, reassuring and educational. Would read again.
January 17, 2021
First of all, I definitely suffer from imposter syndrome. And when as the doctor starting broke down neurotic perfectionism?? GUILTY! I felt like the author was talking to me the whole book. This is so necessary for everyone to read in life. Highly recommend. Especially loved the case studies throughout to reflect and humanize my feelings and relate. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 28, 2021
More Than a Business Book
This book was a book club recommendation and boy am I glad we took this one on. Such a “Real” example of the world of entrepreneurs and the rest of us too. I especially value the end of each chapter where we are asked to “consider this before moving on” questions. I will use these questions to dig deeper along my journey. Can’t wait for my book club meeting and the discussion we will have.
This book was a book club recommendation and boy am I glad we took this one on. Such a “Real” example of the world of entrepreneurs and the rest of us too. I especially value the end of each chapter where we are asked to “consider this before moving on” questions. I will use these questions to dig deeper along my journey. Can’t wait for my book club meeting and the discussion we will have.
March 27, 2023
If you ever feel like you are the only one in the room who doesn't know what they are doing, chances are you aren't and chances are also, you know more than you think you do. This book tells you how to put aside that self-doubt and let yourself be vulnerable by putting yourself out there, trying new thing, and learning from your failures on the way to success.
January 9, 2021
Every entrepreneur, business owner, or leader should read 'Overcoming the Imposter'. Kris did a great job with creating an easy approach to help shift your perspective on your experiences and make it easier to drop The Imposter.
Kris' shows a lot of vulnerability and shares the many encounters with his own Imposter as well as many of his colleagues who are successful. The book was easy to read and enjoyable throughout. Introspective questions at the end of each chapter help integrate and encourage perspective which I think is really helpful!
Kris' shows a lot of vulnerability and shares the many encounters with his own Imposter as well as many of his colleagues who are successful. The book was easy to read and enjoyable throughout. Introspective questions at the end of each chapter help integrate and encourage perspective which I think is really helpful!
June 15, 2021
So refreshing to hear someone address this from an entrepreneur's perspective! Going to be going back and rereading it especially the highlighted parts and making them into stickies so I can see them regularly!
November 4, 2022
This was the best book to date that I’ve read on overcoming imposter syndrome. Really well done and I loved his characterization of the “explorer” and “tour guide” for those willing to take chances a grow and those hanging on to what they know and feel safe with respectively.
April 27, 2021
Wow, I loved this book! The author details what so many high-performers experience, yet don't want to admit. If you are a person who wants to push your limits and grow, this book is for you.
July 15, 2021
I needed artistic help. This was all geared for business. Tried to skim and gather relevant advice. There's some there, but it wasn't what I was hoping for
October 7, 2021
Inspiration and Insights to silence your inner critic! Transform your business and life and lead with confidence. Karen Briscoe, author and podcast host 5 Minute Success
January 10, 2023
Very good, gets a bit repetitive towards the end.
January 31, 2023
Whether you’re an entrepreneur or not everyone will benefit from reading the book as the imposter shows up in various scenarios in our lives. An easy read and provides perspective.
June 20, 2024
I love this book! It’s very practical, easy to read, and is straight to the point!
February 12, 2021
This was a fantastic book that I wish I had read much earlier in my career. If you have ever had doubts about your own abilities or thought “I don’t deserve to be here”, go buy this book right now.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews