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The Imposter Phenomenon
Book

The Imposter Phenomenon

Why You Feel Like a Fraud and What to Do About It

Kate Atkin
Pearson Business, 2025
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  • Analytical
  • Overview
  • For Beginners

Recommendation

Even highly qualified people can fall prey to unfounded feelings of inadequacy. Psychologist Kate Atkin offers a grounded, compassionate exploration of why these feelings arise, even among high performers. She examines how the “imposter phenomenon” shapes behavior, performance, and decision-making, and she explores why procrastination, perfectionism, and self-doubt are often comorbid. Blending research with real-world case studies, Atkin identifies the telltale patterns of imposter thinking and offers practical, effective solutions.

Summary

The “imposter phenomenon” is irksome, but it isn’t a clinical condition.

Your inner thoughts shape your dreams and ambitions, but they can also limit your growth. In the 1970s, psychologists Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes documented a mental state they called the “imposter phenomenon”: when capable, highly qualified people experience persistent feelings of inadequacy, often seeing themselves as “phoneys” or “imposters.” Harsh, self-deprecating inner dialogue discredits personal achievements and undermines an individual’s sense of competence — despite clear evidence of skill or success. For example, if you experience imposter thinking, you might doubt whether you deserve the praise or accolades you receive, attribute your success to a mistake or luck rather than to your expertise, or justify a promotion by concluding that you were the least expensive — rather than the best — candidate.

Although “imposter syndrome” is a common phrase, psychologists prefer the term “imposter phenomenon,” as the condition is not a clinical disorder. Feelings of inadequacy are temporary, situational, and episodic. They tend to surface in specific contexts, such as during office meetings...

About the Author

Psychologist and executive coach Kate Atkin is the author of The Confident Manager and The Presentation Workout. She teaches workshops in confidence building, public speaking, and communication.

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