People from all walks of life feel like an imposter at certain points.
As a doctor, I am no stranger to this feeling. It often seems that my achievements have been accidental and that I could be exposed as a “fraud” at any time.
You are reading: Books on imposter syndrome
It is clear, however, that I am far from alone. in fact, a recent survey in the uk found that approximately 50% of men and women struggle with imposter syndrome (josa, 2019).
Whether you’re looking for information on impostor syndrome for yourself or a client, this article covers 10 books that shed light on the phenomenon. some are more theoretical, some take a more hands-on approach, and some inspire with first-hand accounts.
Before we continue, we thought you might like to download our three strengths exercises for free. these detailed, science-based exercises will help your clients realize their unique potential and create a life that feels energizing and authentic.
1. The Impostor Phenomenon: Overcoming the Fear That Stalks Your Success – Dr. paulina rosa clance
imposter syndrome is a social phenomenon rather than a clinical entity, so its definition is varied.
clinical psychologists pauline rose clance and suzanne imes (1978), however, originally developed the concept and defined it as “a psychological experience of intellectual and professional fraud”.
It makes sense, then, to begin with clance’s seminal 1986 work, The Impostor Phenomenon, which explains the nature of Impostor Syndrome.
This three-part book examines how and why the experience occurs and provides guidance on how to overcome it with several practical exercises interspersed.
for example, dr. clance describes the ‘abc’ framework for success: skill, pauses and courage. she clarifies that people with impostor syndrome become obsessed with the belief that their achievements are due only to breaks and courage, rather than their skills.
Anyone wondering if they are really experiencing the impostor phenomenon would also benefit from dr. the clance self-assessment test, along with his description of how those with an “imposter profile” get caught up in cycles of doubt, negativity, and fear.
Interestingly, there are also sections of the book devoted to exploring how the impostor phenomenon manifests itself in different cultural roles, such as students, mothers, and doctors.
look for the book on amazon.
2. The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women: Why Capable People Suffer from Impostor Syndrome and How to Thrive Despite It – Dr. valeria young
This book addresses why capable people suffer from impostor syndrome and attempts to create a roadmap for thriving despite it.
having suffered from impostor syndrome that threatened to derail her academic and professional aspirations, dr. Valerie Young made it a priority to understand why so many smart people end up feeling like cheats.
Although she is recognized for her expertise in impostor syndrome in women, her work is widely accepted as applicable to anyone.
The book is packed with helpful distinctions and reframing exercises that deepen the reader’s understanding while helping them master their challenging inner critic. for example dr. young outlines seven factors that contribute to impostor syndrome, such as being a student or working in a creative field.
also classifies impostor syndrome into five “types of competition,” a helpful reminder that people are not homogeneous. Depending on people’s personalities, childhoods, and coping styles, your experience of feeling like an impostor and avoiding further success will manifest in different ways.
as an example, one of the types of competition is the very common “perfectionist”. dr Young suggests ways that perfectionist types can better respond to failure. they should change their relationship with risk, which differentiates those who manage to control their impostor syndrome from those who do not.
look for the book on amazon.
3. leaning on each other: women, work and the will to lead – sheryl sandberg
sheryl sandberg has a nice resume. Not only did she hold high-level positions at Google and Facebook, but prior to that, she worked as a chief of staff at U.S. treasury department.
Through a mix of entertaining anecdotes, well-researched facts, and practical advice, Lean In explores gender inequality at home and at work.
While controversial at points, Sandberg’s book resonated with many in part because of its powerful call for women to “bend over” in their careers and aspire to “dream big, forge a path through obstacles and reach their full potential.”
Regardless of what you may think about its core message urging women to imagine more for their professional lives, one of the book’s strengths is its openness and willingness to reveal personal flaws and feelings of self-doubt.
People have been inspired to learn that even people like sandberg, who seem very competent on the outside, experienced the same sense of impostor syndrome.
Sometimes it helps to know you’re not alone.
To keep growing and challenging myself, I have to believe in my own abilities. I still face situations that I fear are beyond my capabilities. I still have days where I feel like a fraud. and still sometimes I find myself criticized and belittled while the men sitting next to me are not. But now I know how to take a deep breath and keep my hand up. I have learned to sit at the table.
sheryl sandberg
look for the book on amazon.
4. presence: bringing your boldest self to your greatest challenges – amy cuddy
presence looks at impostor syndrome from a different angle.
Perhaps best known for her ted talk on how body language can shape confidence, social psychologist amy cuddy has drawn much of her work into this self-help book. she describes how practicing “power poses” can help lessen the intensity of impostor syndrome.
cuddy emphasizes the value of normalizing and reframing imposter syndrome.
See Also: 15 Must-Read Music Therapy Books | Incadence Music Therapy Blog
For example, in a thought experiment, he proposes the following: given how common imposter syndrome is, either everyone is inadequate or everyone’s sense of self-worth is lacking. if people can remember that the second option is more likely, they can also challenge their inner critic during stressful times.
highlights an especially helpful chapter that summarizes the research on impostor syndrome to date and considers it through the lens of his work on nonverbal communication.
The crux of cuddy’s approach is harnessing the power of the mind-body connection. she asserts that empowerment and movement are intrinsically linked, influencing not only how others perceive us, but also how we perceive ourselves in everyday life.
The book goes on to consider exercises that address low self-esteem and low self-confidence, primarily through the use of power poses. While some have questioned the replicability of Cuddy’s research, there appears to be evidence that power poses can increase subjective feelings of authority (Ranehill et al., 2015).
look for the book on amazon.
5. feel good: the new mood therapy – dr. David D. burns
to feel good, psychiatrist david burns convincingly explains how to… well… feel good! Drawing on the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy, he details how a person can try to decrease the frequency of self-doubt and challenging emotions by first shedding light on the root cause: our thought patterns.
This is useful in the context of impostor syndrome. although it is not strictly a clinical phenomenon, it has certain elements in common with depression and anxiety, such as reflecting on low self-esteem, feeling anxious/fearful about one’s own abilities, etc.
Although feeling good is a long job, very little space is wasted. abounds in pragmatic techniques and powerful mindset shifts to help overcome negative feelings.
not the least of them is dr. burns explains the 10 cognitive distortions (or “thinking errors”) that underlie most, if not all, negative feelings. While impostor syndrome is not directly addressed, detecting these distortions is an important step for anyone seeking to understand what beliefs are sabotaging them.
one of the cognitive distortions, for example, is ‘disqualifying the positive’. this is where neutral or positive experiences are negated or explained away with negative ones (eg, “that success didn’t count” or “it was nothing, really”). like dr clannce identified, learning not to discount accomplishments is a key hurdle to overcoming impostor syndrome.
In addition, Dr. Burns suggests a framework for building self-esteem by letting go of what he believes to be the misconception that anything external can reflect on one’s unchanging value.
look for the book on amazon.
6. The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Accept Who You Are – Dr. brown brène
Written by distinguished shame researcher dr. brené brown, the gifts of imperfection impart a multitude of learning points for anyone struggling with impostor syndrome.
With her knowledge derived not only from extensive research but also from her personal experience, dr. brown warmly conveys the importance of cultivating values such as courage, compassion, and connection to combat feelings of shame and inadequacy. Well, she argues her, it’s how we come to feel like we’re “enough.”
The book emphasizes the importance of developing authenticity, ‘owning your story’ and allowing yourself to feel vulnerable as routes to combating the stigma that so often accompanies feeling like a fraud. dr Brown suggests that letting the people you care about see you as imperfect not only strengthens those relationships, but also provides much-needed support and resilience when you face challenges.
With each chapter concluding with short learning points and helpful exercises, this resource will help people with impostor syndrome cultivate more self-compassion.
look for the book on amazon.
7. the practice: submitting creative work – seth godin
Those for whom work is largely a creative endeavor are often familiar with impostor syndrome.
The value of their work is not only subjective, but creatives also spend long periods of time working alone, with little positive feedback. a book that explores this conundrum is the practice.
marketer and prolific thought leader seth godin has already written extensively on dealing with the fear of the unknown, but the practice is particularly relevant to entrepreneurs and creatives who feel like frauds.
For example, Godin describes how our cultural obsession with “outcome” rather than “process” can contribute to impostor syndrome. we judge books by the number of copies they sell, which makes authors stick to these end points and doubt their legitimacy.
Instead, he argues, we should focus on the path of incremental improvement. Just like Amy Cuddy, he proposes a route through “fake it until you make it”:
“The very nature of innovation is to act as if… to act as if you’re into something, as if it’s going to work, as if you have a right to be here. along the way, you can discover what doesn’t work on your way to discover what works.”
Interestingly, godin also raises the possibility that impostor syndrome is a sign that you’re doing “important work,” with fear of failure almost a prerequisite for personally meaningful projects.
look for the book on amazon.
8. polite: a memoir – tara westover
Given how common imposter syndrome is in students, Educated can be compelling reading for any academic affected by this phenomenon.
Written by tara westover, writer and historian, the book is her memoir of an extraordinary journey. It begins with her childhood living on a rural farm in Idaho and culminates in her rise to eminence, earning a Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge.
In light of the challenges he faced growing up in a self-isolating Mormon family, the account is inspiring. Taking her education into her own hands, her memoir recounts how at every step of the way, Westover felt she didn’t fit in and she feared being exposed as a fraud at any moment.
For anyone suffering from imposter syndrome, his words are sure to resonate and provide hope of what is possible.
look for the book on amazon.
9. the advantage of diversity: correcting gender inequality in the workplace – ruchika tulshyan
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While the books mentioned so far take an individualistic approach, the advantage of diversity goes beyond cultural contexts.
ruchika tulshyan is a journalist who covers diversity and leadership, as well as a passionate advocate for inclusion in the workplace.
Recently she wrote an illuminating article for Harvard Business Review focusing on experiences of impostor syndrome in women. In it, she advocates shifting the conversation from how to deal with impostor syndrome to why our workplaces give rise to these feelings in the first place.
the explanations proposed by tulshyan center on the notion that prejudices such as sexism, classism and racism are still very ingrained in our companies and institutions. when those who receive marginalization feel its impact, they are more likely to question their competence and previous successes.
In his book, he writes more about why having an inclusion strategy is essential for organizations not only from an ethical point of view, but also from a practical point of view. As women increasingly make up our workforce, success often depends on creating work environments where everyone can feel safe, welcome and supported.
The advantage of diversity can offer a refreshing new perspective and a warning not to pathologize impostor syndrome too much or use the label to discriminate against those who do not fit male-biased social styles.
as tulshyan says, maybe we should move away from “fixing women at work instead of fixing the places where women work”.
look for the book on amazon.
10. The Impostor Cure: Escape the Mind Trap of Impostor Syndrome – Dr. jessamy hibberd
Completing the list is dr. Jessamy Hibberd’s 2019 The Impostor Cure, a self-help guide specifically dedicated to addressing Impostor Syndrome.
The book has been praised for raising awareness of how imposter syndrome is so common and how it can insidiously undermine people when left unchecked. it’s also packed with illuminating case studies along the way, which readers will find bring the learning points to life.
clinical psychologist by training, dr. Hibberd describes a three-pronged approach. it starts with building understanding of the theory, moves on to “choosing to change,” and concludes with useful strategies and tactics.
For example, there are several diagrams that serve as useful visual aids in understanding the psychological cycles that perpetuate impostor syndrome. To complement these, informative concepts are presented, such as the “mind trap” of impostor syndrome and the two coping mechanisms, or “imposter twins.”
Other highlights include an exploration of why certain people are prone to impostor feelings, tools for learning to recognize self-criticism, exercises tailored to each of Dr. the five types of skills of young people and a section on the role of social networks.
while dr. Hibberd acknowledges that the book’s title is bold, emphasizing that it does not promise a cure-all as a panacea, but rather a companion in building self-compassion step by step. she reminds readers that it takes ongoing work to deal with these difficult feelings and that there are no overnight cures.
look for the book on amazon.
relevant resources from positivepsychology.com
How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome is a must-read article that provides quizzes and worksheets to help you assess your clients, with practical guidance.
If you’re looking for ways to help your clients overcome impostor syndrome by exploring and building on their strengths, be sure to download our free pack of strengths exercises.
This pack includes a selection of our favorite tools from the Positive Psychology Toolkit©. this is what is included:
red and green activities
This exercise explores the difference between activities that use our strengths and those that rely on our weaknesses when it comes to energy and engagement.
As part of the activity, clients take a week to track and reflect on the effects of different activities on energy to help increase awareness and use of strength.
you at your best
This exercise invites clients to tell a story, illustrating a time when they did their best or did something exceptionally positive.
In this, clients will be able to savor the positive experience and systematically explore the role their strengths played in producing this optimal outcome, which is often necessary for those struggling with imposter syndrome.
force regulation
This exercise helps clients consider the different degrees to which we can use our strengths in different situations.
In particular, clients select a personal strength and recall the consequences of times when they overused and underused it, as well as once they used this strength at an optimal level.
You can access all three exercises for free by downloading our strengths exercise pack.
17 exercises to find strength
If you’re looking for more science-based ways to help others develop their strengths, this collection contains 17 strength-finding tools for professionals. use them to help others better understand and build on your strengths in ways that improve their lives.
a message to take home
With impostor syndrome emerging at different times in life and affecting people from a wide range of backgrounds, it makes sense to approach the phenomenon from a variety of angles.
hopefully, one or more of these resources will help you or your client find a way to overcome it.
While impostor syndrome may well be an inevitability of life, it doesn’t have to explain downfall. As many of the earlier books suggest, there are ways to lessen its power and free people from self-reinforcing cycles of fear and doubt.
Sometimes that means doing the challenging inner work of exposing the underlying flaws in our belief systems. but sometimes it just means bringing feelings out into the open instead of shrouding them in shame and secrecy.
Techniques can certainly help, but it’s also good to remember that there are ways to reconceptualize imposter syndrome in a more positive way. If you take real risks every day, chances are you’re involved in something personally significant.
When you live outside of your comfort zone like this, a certain amount of self-doubt is inevitable. after all, it’s part of human nature.
We hope you enjoyed reading this article. don’t forget to download our three strengths exercises for free.
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