PODCAST EPISODES

Are you an only in the workplace? Do you often confront stereotypes about your gender or race at work? Are you balancing a hyper-competitive and unforgiving work environment? Workplace triggers making you feel like you are not good enough or do not belong abound. In this final episode of Season 2, Dr. Adia Gooden, a clinical psychologist, discusses what imposter syndrome is, how it shows up and holds us back from reaching professional success, and strategies that we can use to overcome imposter syndrome and cultivate unconditional self-worth. Dr. Gooden is the Director of Community Programs and Outcome Measurement at the Family Institute at Northwestern University. Through therapy, Dr. Gooden guides people to understand their emotions and experiences, identify their values, address unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, and embrace their full selves. 

Topics Covered: 

• Defining imposter syndrome
• How imposter syndrome plays out and hinders professional success
• The impact of minority status and racial trauma on feeling like an imposter
• How stereotypes influence feelings of being an imposter 
• Identifying work environments that trigger feelings of being an imposter
• How women compensate in challenging work environments 
• The relationship between perfectionism and imposter syndrome
• Defining unconditional self-worth 
• Strategies for overcoming imposter syndrome
• Tips for managers and workplace leaders to validate employees and reduce feelings of being an imposter
• Resources: Check out Dr. Adia’s course on overcoming imposter syndrome on InsightTimer and her Free E-book on Cultivating Unconditional Self-worth

Highlights:

• “Diversity benefits everyone.”
• “When we focus on perfectionism, we can miss the richness of the experience and the richness of our contribution.”
• “If we feel that our worth is coming from our academic achievement or our career success and we feel unworthy at the core, then imposter syndrome is much more likely to happen.”
• “Specific, concrete, affirming feedback that is honest can really help to challenge people’s imposter syndrome.”

Other References:

• Jean Croutea, Imposter Syndrome — Why It’s Harder Today Than Ever, Forbes Life, April 4, 2019
• Break Concrete, Episode 22, Dealing with Racial Trauma with Dr. Cheryl Grills
• Kirsten Weir, Feel like a fraud?, American Psychological Association
• Dr. Adia Gooden, Cultivating Unconditional Self-Worth, TEDx, May 30, 2018

Connect with Dr. Gooden: 

On her website: www.dradiagooden.com  

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dradiagooden/

On Instagram: @dradiagooden

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