Pause & Ponder: Women’s History and Imposter Syndrome

Pause & Ponder: Women’s History and Imposter Syndrome

As we step into the month of March, we celebrate Women’s History Month to honor the women in our lives and in history who have shaped history, broken barriers, and paved the way for change. It’s also a moment to acknowledge the challenges women continue to face on their journey to success, including the complicated emotions that come with it. Imposter syndrome, that nagging self-doubt that makes you question whether you deserve your achievements, even if there’s proof you do, can wreak havoc on your confidence. It affects about 80% of people at some point, but women experience it more often, largely because many systems weren’t designed to recognize their accomplishments. For women of color, these feelings can be even more complex, shaped by systemic barriers and a lack of representation in the media and leadership spaces.

Since imposter syndrome can impact us all, we encourage you to “pause and ponder” with some simple exercises:

• Reflect on when you’ve experienced imposter feelings when you felt you didn’t belong at the table, despite your accomplishments and experience.

• Collect all evidence: Were those feelings based on fear or facts?

• Analyze the proof: Does it confirm your self-doubt, or does it show that you do belong?

If your feelings were valid, think about ways to set yourself up for success in the future. If they weren’t, use this as a reminder next time you start doubting yourself, whether it's questioning your leadership skills or chalking up a big win to “just luck.”

The truth is, overcoming imposter syndrome is key to growing into your full potential. The more you recognize your worth and own your achievements, the more confidence you’ll build, not just for yourself, but for those looking up to you. 

Let’s keep lifting each other up and celebrating every win, big or small.