Not Fooling Anyone

Pauline Clance developed the idea of imposter phenomenon—not syndrome—nearly 50 years ago, but it has become more mainstream in the last 15 years. This article explores how it impacts White women and the societal forces that encourage it—patriarchy, femininity and humility. She addresses the fact that this “diagnosis” looks different among women of color. I’d assert that men experience these feelings—low confidence, low self-esteem, debilitating anxiety—in response to imposter phenomena, but we rarely discuss it. What do you think? Where have you seen imposter phenomena in your own life?