Impostor Phenomenon in Educational Developers: Consequences and Coping
Kristi Rudenga & Emily O. Gravett
2019 POD Conference | Friday, November 15
Pittsburgh, PA
tinyurl.com/IPinED2019
Overview
Background
Main Signs of IP:
(Harvey & Katz, 1985)
IP can negatively impact an individual’s:
(Brems et al., 1994)
Survey
Design
Have you ever experienced IP?
Consequences of Impostor Phenomenon
Stress and Anxiety
I've had to use a lot of mental and emotional energy to "squash" the IP so that I could perform in the given situation. It takes a lot of energy to "hide" IP.
The amount of stress and anxiety I have in preparing or approaching specific aspects of my life; but also the feeling of not being able to have a healthy work/life balance (and then actually not having a healthy balance, and the negative health impacts).
Lower Self Esteem
Huge loss of confidence which permeated into my life generally making me unhappy and it seriously affected my marital relationship.
As a result of Imposter Phenomenon, I have lower confidence in my work. . . I second guess some of my choices on a daily basis.
Lost Voice
I discount myself or do not speak up despite knowledge and what could be relevant contributions.
I lose my voice in meetings, consults, and collaborations.
Affected Career Trajectories
I haven't taken myself or my career path as seriously, deliberately, or confidently as I otherwise might have.
I don't seek out more ambitious things, like writing a book, which seem beyond what I think of as what I can do well.
Overwork
I put in many extra hours prepping for workshops ... because I want to be perceived as knowledgeable.
I think it’s pushed me to work twice as hard and to be twice as good.
Growth Mindset
That there is room for growth, that improvement is possible, that we can learn from failures.
IP isn’t just about feeling not good enough, it’s about understanding that it is always possible to improve.
Connections with Colleagues
Having open conversations about IP has brought a unity and closeness with colleagues.
I also have been able to help others when I mentor, however, by revealing that I feel imposter syndrome.
Coping with Impostor Phenomenon
(for educational developers)
Talking with Others
Discussing these feelings with "safe" people has helped me to realize that I am not the only person feeling this way. Knowing this has helped me tremendously. These safe people will reiterate my accomplishments and indicate their confidence in my abilities, which also helps me refocus.
Reviewing Accomplishments | Focusing on Strengths
Reviewing accomplishments. It always surprises me how much I've really done.
Reviewing experiences and achievements - most useful because they are real - they happened.
Learning to Improvise
The nature of being an educational developer is to be put into a number of different situations where you are answering questions and/or making suggestions on the fly. I was horrible at improvising before this position, but through sheer necessity, I have become better, though not perfect.
Other Coping Mechanisms
Coping with Impostor Phenomenon
(for helping others)
Similar Strategies
Leveraging IP Experience to Help Instructors:
The Power of Vulnerability
They tend to see me as very together and accomplished and seem to feel better that I've felt imposter syndrome, too.
Moving Forward
Leveraging IP Experience to Help Instructors
As a field, we should:
Conclusion
To realize one is not alone is to realize one is not really an impostor.
Thank you
Please feel free to reach out to us at krudenga@nd.edu or graveteo@jmu.edu