Why Do I Feel Like an Imposter?

by Sandi Mann

Have you ever felt like a fraud? Do you think your accomplishments are a matter of luck rather than skill? If so, you are not alone.

This is an increasingly common phenomenon known as Imposter Syndrome (IS).

Research has revealed that if you haven't suffered from these sorts of fears, you're in the minority. According to recent figures, over 70% of us have felt this at some point in time.

So why is this phenomenon growing? How do we recognize it, and what can we do to manage the triggers and build self-confidence?

Imposter Syndrome has traditionally been associated with women in the workplace. However, in this book Dr Sandi Mann goes beyond this group to look at IS in men and women in social situations, as parents, as students and as teens.

Filled with information, self-assessment quizzes, case studies and helpful coping tips and strategies, this book is for anyone who thinks they may have IS or knows someone who might.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Psychology, Audiobook, Mental Health, Personal Development, Business

170 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2019

Reviews

[Sheena · Rating 4 out of 5]

yes hello this marks my 1000th book on goodreads i feel like that is a cause to celebrate also it is my birthday anyway,

i found this fascinating and relatable and wish i had a hard copy to highlight a bunch of things but i heard there's a ton of typos in it. i didn't notice since it was an audiobook BUT imposter syndrome is real ya'll

[Nursebookie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Why Do I Feel Like An Impostor? How to Understand and Cope With the Impostor Syndrome" by Dr. Sandi Mann is a well written guide to help any person or professional that may have felt incompetent or unsure about themselves, despite the years of training, the competencies, and degrees earned. A study has shown that over 70% of us probably suffer from Impostor Syndrome (IS), where you may believe that you are inappropriately claiming to be somebody you are not despite all the appropriate training, education, license, and competency. It is a condition that can be debilitating and affects our ability to confidently perform our roles in relationships, our jobs, or our professions. It can also affect ones ability to be a better parent or role in any relationship.
Dr. Sandi Mann is an expert in this field as a chartered academic psychologist and a senior psychology lecturer teaching clinical applied psychology. Dr. Mann also specializes in conditions such as anxiety, depression, phobias, panic attacks, trauma, obsessive compulsive disorder to name a few. The first couple of chapters explains the Impostor Syndrome with quizzes and assessments. the next 5 chapters goes over how the Impostor Syndrome is experienced by different groups of people such as(1) women in the work force, (2) male stereotypes, (3) imposters outside the work force such as the do-gooders or those that keep up appearances of a perfect life, (4) perfect parents, and (5) Student pressures. Each of the chapters are further explained through case studies to help with real life scenarios followed by tips to work through those feelings or syndrome. I love that the strategies are presented to help manage Impostor Syndrome and feel the success, gain confidence and diminish insecurities.
Overall, I highly recommend this book for anyone that may have these feelings fulfilling their role in their personal relationships and also in their professional life. This is a good reference and an excellent read written very clearly with real life strategies to help with this issue.

Thank you to NetGalley, Watkins Publishing and the author for an advanced readers copy of this ebook for honest and objective review.

[Jerawan Meesangnilverakul · Rating 4 out of 5]

เกิดมาเพิ่งเคยรู้เหมือนกันว่า Imposter Syndrome หรือโรคคิดว่าตัวเองไม่เก่งเป็นอาการทางจิต (ถึงทางการแพทย์จะบอกว่ายังไม่ถึงขั้นนั้น) มีอยู่ในสังคมของเรา และมีอยู่มานานหลายศตวรรษ

โรคคิดว่าตัวเองไม่เก่ง เชื่อว่าใครหลายคนอาจมีอาการของโรคนี้ คือรู้สึกว่าตัวเองทำอะไรสักอย่างสำเร็จ แต่คิดว่ายังไม่ดีพอ มักจะไม่รับการชื่นชมจากคนอื่น ทั้งๆที่บางที่สิ่งที่ทำนั้นดีอยู่แล้ว

สาเหตุที่หนังสือเล่มนี้สะดุดตาและสะดุดใจเราคือชื่อหนังสือ บอกเลยถ้าหนังสือเอาแค่คำว่า Imposter Syndrome มาจะไม่สะดุดใจเท่ากับคำว่า "ทำมากแค่ไหนก็รู้สึกไม่เก่งพอ"

เฮ้ย ชื่อหนังสือ แบบน่าอ่านว่ะ อยากรู้ว่าอาการนี้คืออะไร เพราะรู้สึกช่วงที่เราตกงาน หรืออาจจะเป็นช่วงที่มีงานทำ เราก็รู้สึกได้ถึงอาการนี้ อยากรู้จริงๆว่าโรคนี้จริงๆอาการมันเป็นยังไง

หนังสือแบ่งแยกประเด็นออกไปในหลายบทบาททางสังคม เช่น บทบาทในที่ทำงาน บทบาทการเป็นแม่ บทบาทการเป็นนักศึกษา

ซึ่งเราคิดว่าเป็นการแบ่งแยกที่ครอบคลุม และอาการที่ค้นพบได้เลยทั่วไปเลยคือ ความอยากที่จะทำอะไรสมบูรณ์แบบตลอดเวลาหรือ Perfectionist นั่นแหละ
คนเหล่านี้อาจถูกกดดันโดยสังคมภายนอกหรือปัจจัยภายใน ที่แย่ที่สุดคืออาจกดดันตัวเอง ซึ่งอาการเหล่านี้ถ้านานเข้าอาจมีทำให้เกิดความคิดที่ทำร้ายตัวเองหรือคิดสั้นได้

โรคนี้ไม่ใช่โรคที่น่ากลัว และมีวิธีการรักษาที่ไม่จำเป็นต้องเข้ารับการบำบัดจากจิตแพทย์เลย
การบำบัดของเราคือการคิดว่าไม่มีอะไรที่สมบูรณ์แบบเสมอ และเราสามารถเรียนรู้จะการผิดพลาด เราสามารถผิดพลาดได้ เพราะทุกคนไม่จำเป็นต้องสมบูรณืแบบตลอดเวลา

NOBODY IS PERFECT.
We all learn by mistakes.
There is no wrong in making mistakes.

[Lyudmila Marlier · Rating 2 out of 5]

Эксперимент по попыткам почитать "умные" книги пока терпит неудачу 🤦 вот например, казалось бы, imposter, ну это как бы мы все. И в чем же проблема? Правильно, сексизм! (он кстати, конечно, имеет место быть), социальные сети (тут совет, что надо от всех отписаться), и ещё парочка неожиданных, на самом деле нет, причин. Каков же вывод? Разумеется, надо поверить в себя 🙄🙄🙄

[Tatiana Shorokhova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Компактная и легко написанная книга, не раздутая бесчисленными повторами. Классификация людей с синдромом самозванца, примеры из жизни, ну и конечно, варианты выхода. Ничего особенного, но полезно иметь рядом, чтобы постоянно гнать самозванку из своей головы.

[Saarah Niña · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a necessary read for anyone who suffers from Imposter Syndrome (IS) or has a loved one who deals with it. Before this book, I had no idea 70% of us have this issue. I thought it was like the 1%.
Clearly, everyone is ridiculously good at faking or hiding it!

After reading a book, Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle on a similar subject, I had this thought that there are probably those who are more likely to experience burn-out simply because they didn't like their job but for no other reason than they felt they weren't good for it. So the constant 'trying too hard' and working harder, to prevent getting exposed as a 'fake', was getting to them. That is no way to live! Yet, for someone with IS, it's the only way to survive. The only way to keep our reputations intact, our means of income steady, and our lives stable.

I've been there: wishing classes were cancelled because I couldn't stand another day of 'faking it'. Even if I understood the work, or was doing well, I would attribute it to something or someone else. If this sounds like you, or someone you know, this book would be most beneficial.

From Dr. Sandi Mann's neatly condensed book, you'll learn how best to minimise the symptoms of IS from taking over your life. I had no idea this was possible! IS taints everything, dents your success, happiness and accomplishments. It gets in the way but there are ways to give yourself a much-needed 'reality check'. It's not true, the stuff it tells you, it limits you. (I need to remind myself of this too!) We need to own our good moments, and keep the bad stuff from ruining them.

IS is something that lingers. It's either always present or in the background. Dr. Mann offers a thorough guide to understanding and identifying its characteristics in individuals. There are different types of 'Imposters': the perfectionist, the striving parent, the high-achieving student, the self-employed entrepreneur, the devout religious leader etc.... We, 'imposters', are everywhere.

From the beginning, I thought that the people who didn't know IS was a 'thing' are truly missing out. Their lives are also worse for it. All imposters have contemplated quitting the source of their misery. Or, refusing that promotion or salary bonus. Most of us don't act on these beliefs- we know where they come from. But those who don't? They'll quit and never fulfil their potential.

This book raises awareness and understanding massively: it answers questions I didn't know I had.
I recommend!

--
I received this book through NetGalley for review consideration. All opinions are honest and completely my own.

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I blame our parents, relatives and teachers. They always made us feel worthless, dumb, and small and held up others as being so much smarter. I have often felt like this and have even made Dean's List in college! My first academic job, I was actually asked by an aunt "Are you smart enough to work there?" Still feel like I'm faking it after 30 years in my field. I am grateful I've never been caught out and am close to retiring. All the brilliant people on this plant likely feel like frauds. Sad so many of us feel like this. I'm sure it has had a profound effect on humanity's future. How much better of a world it would be if everyone's self esteem was higher and we felt more confident.
I've been waiting for this book for a long time. Sorry it was a bit late for me and my career, but I certainly hope it finds it's way into younger hands.

I received a Kindle arc from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.

[Jay French · Rating 3 out of 5]

I switched from a true introvert job, researching new technology for a big company, to being a techie sales person. You betcha I feel like an imposter at times, even after decades, and feeling more so the more there is to learn. I found this book quite interesting, although the focus was not what I expected. A lot of the book focused on the difference between the sexes. According to the book, this is mostly thought of as a woman’s issue, but it impacts quite a few men as well. I found this part of the book, the majority, quite interesting. The book also talks about imposter parenting, which I didn’t find as interesting. So why do I feel like an imposter? One reason could be that some people just don’t like me, and some people just like making others feel bad. This book provides some of the logical arguments to move on from this. Good read, and short.

[Jen Tidman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book strongly resonated with me, as imposter syndrome has dogged me for a long time; beginning when I started at university and continuing to the present both at work and socially.

Dr. Sandi Mann has neatly condensed the research into this short and easy to read book, self-assessment quizzes, case studies, and tips for overcoming imposter syndrome. I particularly liked how Dr Mann looked at how expectations around gender and social roles lead to different types of imposter syndrome for women, men, and parents, as well as covering how IS can affect teenagers and students.

Why Do I Feel Like an Imposter? has definitely given me some perspective on my fears and some techniques to try out.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heads up fellow coaches. This is a useful textbook for a really common client complaint.

Up to 70% of us have suffered from Imposter Syndrome. Interestingly only those experiencing some level of success get it.

This book covers what it is, why we get it and then delves into different types: women, men, parenting, social, students etc.
It’s packed full of tests, tips and interesting case studies.

I’ve already been able to lessen the burden of some clients imposter syndrome by applying what I have learnt in this book. Well worth the read if you have it or have the opportunity to help others apply the learnings.

[Noor Abu Hassan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, great ideas, recommended.

[elise-is-reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

an enemies to lovers story between me and myself

[Dani · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is a good intro into learning about imposter syndrome - something that I've known many people (including myself) to struggle with. I appreciated all the cited resources and references to case studies.
HOWEVER. There were so, so many grammar issues throughout the book. Like duplicate sentences, incorrect punctuation - things like that. If there was a good proofread before publishing, I bet most if not all of those issues would've been caught...(no tea no shade).

So to recap: good introductory information; bad example of proofreading before submitting final work.

2022 Challenge: 5 Nonfiction Books
Work Bingo Challenge: Book w/ less than 200 pages

[Rj Yeomans · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who suffers from imposter syndrome from time to time, I found Dr. Sandi Mann’s Why Do I Feel Like an Imposter? to be a helpful and an, overall, enjoyable read. The book is organized in a way that feels easy to digest, with plenty of white space, self-assessments, and case studies that show many of the nuances of imposter syndrome (IS) in various contexts.

I found one of the book’s best strengths to be how it covers many different aspects of imposter syndrome, including in parenting, as a student, in the workplace, or even in religious settings. I think this makes it relevant to a wide audience. I also enjoyed reading the case studies sprinkled throughout, as they gave relatable examples and made the content feel more grounded in real-life experiences.

Each chapter wraps up with practical tips for combating IS, which helps make the book practical as well. I will probably find myself going back over certain sections in the future to refresh my understanding of the strategies and tips Mann offers to help deal with issues from IS.

With all of that said, the book does feel a little surface-level at times. While the tips are useful, some seem like common sense (though I also recognize they may still be beneficial to others). The discussion around the causes of IS felt brief, and I would have liked more depth in that area. Additionally, while Mann does include sections addressing imposter syndrome in men, the book leans more toward women’s experiences. However, to be fair, the author makes it clear (with sources) that IS tends to be more of an issue for women though.

I also encountered a few typos and even noticed an entire paragraph reprinted twice. I’m not sure if this is the case in all versions, but it was a small distraction in, what I found to be, an otherwise well-organized book.

Overall, Why Do I Feel Like an Imposter? is worth the read if you or someone you know might be struggling with issues from IS. It also provides valuable insights into a topic that resonates with a lot of people. While it may not dive as deeply as I hoped, it’s still a solid resource for anyone looking to better understand and address imposter syndrome in their life.

[Francesca Corsetti · Rating 1 out of 5]

Credo che i libri legati alla autostima non facciano proprio per me. Non riesco proprio a comprendere il senso di questo testo che elenca solo vari casi di persone affette da questa sindrome dell’impostore, senza però consigliare come uscirne (tra l’altro non è neppure una sindrome e ne’ tantomeno riconosciuta da nessuna parte).
Gli impostori sembra siano delle persone che si costruiscono una identità da paventare a tutti ma che hanno delle profonde insicurezze che inconsciamente sabotano i loro successi a conferma di quanto in realtà non siano realmente efficienti.
Tante parole per dire quanto la famiglia,gli amici, la società influenzino il parere che noi maturiamo su noi stessi e che a volte i fatti e i risultati ottenuti non ci bastano per stimarci, quindi dobbiamo lavorare sulle nostre convinzioni per poter contribuire ad un nostro cambiamento mentale e poterci premiare con iniezioni di autostima eliminando i pregiudizi di altre false attribuzioni.

[BooksAndMinerals · Rating 5 out of 5]

I suffer from imposter syndrome, and have felt like a huge imposter ever since starting not only my Master's, but certainly my PhD program. I am glad to have learned more about which type of imposter I am (the expert & more) and different strategies to combat imposter syndrome! I also found it interesting how different backgrounds can make you more susceptible to imposter syndrome. Such as being a student, being in academia, being from an underrepresented identity (woman in male-dominated field), being first generation, etc... all of these identities have added up for me to feel the perfect imposter syndrome storm. I highly recommend this book.

an interesting quote to think about:
"internal pressure usually have some external catalyst"

[mushtabara · Rating 5 out of 5]

(5,0⭐️) “…Always remember that you are not alone in feeling this way, and take heart from this.”
- Dr. Sandi Mann

This book is a real game-changer. Right from the start, it catches my attention with a cool self-assessment, giving a feel of what's coming next. What makes me happy is there are informations about imposters. It breaks down every type and every term related on it. There are also case studies in this book.

But that's not the end. The book comes with new practical tips and strategies. These aren't just easy-take suggestions, but real, actionable steps every reader can take ^^

And what really makes this book stand out is its scope. It goes beyond just talking about imposters. It dives into big, important topics we all deal with. It talks about gender issues, work-life balance, parenting, academia, and how we interact with others socially. It felt like this book was speaking directly to me, answering questions that I've been wrestling with for a long time. Simply put, this book is a lifesaver. It's THE ONE for me!

Thank you, Dr. Sandi Mann!

[Anneminne Frère · Rating 2 out of 5]

Het gaf een duidelijk beeld van wat het imposter syndroom was en hoe breed je het eigenlijk wel niet kan zien/ervaren, maar ik vond de tips zo leeg, dat ik op het einde van het boek niet het gevoel heb er beter tegen gewapend te zijn. Het was een fijn gevoel om te beseffen dat er veel mensen zijn die het imposter syndroom hebben, maar meer dan dat heb ik er ook niet echt uitgehaald.

[kkait · Rating 4 out of 5]

Realistically a 3.5/5 stars. Thoroughly enjoyed reading chapters 1, 2 and 7. Not a fan of the chapters about women vs. men with IS though.

[Alessandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mi è piaciuto tantissimo leggere questo libro, soprattutto in questi periodo. Descrive in maniera semplice problemi che affliggono tutti noi ogni giorno facendomi sentire meno sola.

[Giulia Gagliardini · Rating 5 out of 5]

A clear and at the same time detailed book about imposter syndrome and its different contexts of application

[Ximena Carrasco · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simplemente decir que estos libros ¡ me encantan !
Me rindo :-)

[Haley Leber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like that the book provided solutions to imposter syndrome and ways to slowly get better overtime. It also explored parts of imposter syndrome that I had never considered before and enjoyed the perspective.

[Carmen Morales · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sencillo, pero informativo. He aprendido que hay varios tipos de impostor y también que hay muchas situaciones distintas donde las personas se pueden llegar a sentir farsantes, no solo en el ámbito académico/laboral. Y los auto-test están simpáticos.

[Danny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book helped me understand why, even though I have an industry-wide recognized credential (PMP), I still often feel as though I am unqualified in my field. Many examples & explanations were given, along with exercises and strategies to combat Imposter Syndrome (IS) as well as how to use it to your advantage. This book really opened my eyes to how to be a better Project Manager and also how to help empower my project teams to realize their full potential.

[Nilanee K]

Learned a lot and was really informative. Had a few problems with the chapter about why men might feel like an imposter since women also experience the same things discussed in this section.

[Alexey Gerasimovich · Rating 3 out of 5]

Мне 45 лет. А я так ничего и не достиг.

Хотя многие вокруг говорят, что я успешный и профессиональный руководитель. Они просто не понимают, что я лишь везунчик.

…Это могли бы быть мои слова. Да чего лукавить, иногда такие мысли тоже накрывали меня в нелёгкие часы. Но примерно так ощущают себя очень многие люди, а учёные даже придумали для этого название — синдром самозванца.

Далее: https://knari.by/2022/08/12/sindrom-s...

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un libro che spiega che cos'è la sindrome dell'impostore, le potenziali cause e come aiutare qualcuno che ne soffre con una serie di esercizi specifici. L'ho trovato chiaro e utile! L'unico neo secondo me sono i "casi di studio", che non danno molto di più al testo ma che tuttavia mostrano come si manifesta la sindrome.

[M Johana Areiza · Rating 1 out of 5]

No sé si es po la traducción o si realmente la escritora es en exceso redundante, este libro pudo ser un artículo de dos páginas explicando el fenómeno, las ayudas terapéuticas dan la sensación de leer una revista de entretenimiento.

[Melissa Scruggs · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book read like a college dissertation. It does have nuggets of interesting facts and a couple of self assessments. However, it ultimately fell short of my expectations.