Maya Angelou, one of the 20th Century’s most resonant figures, wrote poems that were adored by millions. Even so, she often felt like an imposter. “I have written 11 books but each time I think ‘Uh-oh, they’re going to find out now,” she once said. “I’ve run a game on everybody, and they’re going to find me out.’”
The term “imposter syndrome” was coined in 1978 by clinical psychologists Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes. They wrote that it’s a feeling of “phoniness in people who believe that they are not intelligent, capable or creative despite evidence of high achievement.” These people are motivated to achieve, but they’re worried that they’ll be discovered as frauds.
Imposter syndrome is stunningly common — 70 percent of people will experience these feelings at some point in their lives, research suggests.
Imposter syndrome has no bias for job, seniority, race, or gender. But it can be especially tough for new CEOs, who have put in years of work and now sit at the top, which can be a very lonely place indeed.
Luckily, there are ways for CEOs to realize the truth: They are not imposters.