As today’s guest—imposter complex expert Tanya Geisler—notes, the global self-development industry is worth $41 billion as of 2021. She says, “That is a lot of money invested in making people feel terrible about themselves…and like they need to be fixed. (Think diet industry but for confidence.)”
In this episode, we’re talking about the six ways imposter complex manifests, the ways that trying to eliminate it can paradoxically exacerbate feelings of unworthiness, and even more importantly: the six illuminating values behind imposter-y habits that can help you step into your fullest expression.
More About Tanya: Tanya Geisler is a celebrated women's leadership expert, mentor coach, keynote and TEDx Women speaker, writer, and Ready Enough podcast host. After a successful career in advertising, she entered the world of coaching two decades ago and has worked with thousands of changemakers, innovators, and leaders to dislodge that not-good-enough feeling, perfectionism, procrastination, diminishment, people-pleasing, comparison, and leaky boundaries.
🌟 3 Key Takeaways
Six ways imposter complex manifests: perfectionism, procrastination, diminishment, people-pleasing, comparison, and leaky boundaries.
The more we spend time in the six habits of impostor syndrome, the more like imposters we feel: When we identify and resolve one imposter-related habit, stay curious, as another related manifestation will often rear up in its place.
Imposter complex arrives on the precipice of expansion: If you’re feeling it, you may be about to experience something new and meaningful. Think of it as a canary in the coal mine for your personal growth.
✅ Try This Next: Get curious about what is underneath your imposter complex: What beautiful value is it revealing? For guidance with this, take the quiz to discover your Iconic Identity.
🔗 Resources Mentioned
Tanya on the web, IG: @tanyageisler, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Pinterest
Free course: Five ICONIC Shifts Leaders Use to Overcome Imposter Complex
Video: Tanya at TEDxIsfieldWomen—Owning Our Authority, The Art of Being Yourself - Caroline McHugh
Coach Training: Co-Active Training Institute
📰 Articles Mentioned
Tanya: The 12 Lies of the Imposter Complex, What’s the Difference Between Imposter Syndrome and Imposter Complex, The Sin of (Out)Shining, Yes, I Saw the Article in the New Yorker on the Imposter Syndrome re: the February 2023 New Yorker article by Leslie Jamison, Not Fooling Anyone: The dubious rise of imposter syndrome (online title is Why Everyone Feels Like They’re Faking It)
Siri Liv Myhrom (referencing Caroline McHugh) To Be Yourself Completely: The Collective Grief of Losing Prince
Tim Ferriss on 11 Reasons Not to Become Famous
Concept: Tall Poppy Syndrome
📚 Books Mentioned
🎧 Related Episodes
Tanya’s podcast: Ready Enough
Free Time: 039: Permission to Glow with Kristoffer (KC) Carter
112: Whose Voice is in Your Head? Perfection Detox Round Two with Petra Kolber
73: What's more important to you than perfection? With Jenny Blake
188: The Pondering Method (for Rebels) with Michael Karsouny
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