Breaking the Chains of Imposter Syndrome: A Guide for Women of Color in Higher Education Leadership

In higher education leadership, women of color are making remarkable strides, ascending from tenured faculty positions to influential roles such as department chairs, deans, and provosts. This journey, marked by recognition and achievement, often comes with hidden adversity known as Imposter Syndrome. It’s time to have a heart-to-heart about something lurking in the shadows of your success.?

That nagging feeling that, despite all your accomplishments, someone will burst into the room yelling, “Gotcha! You don’t really belong here!” In this newsletter, we will dive into the intricacies of Imposter Syndrome, exploring different ways it can manifest, what causes imposter syndrome, and, most importantly, provide a few strategies to empower these accomplished women to break the cycle of self-doubt.?

What Is Imposter Syndrome?

Imposter Syndrome is a psychological phenomenon where individuals, often women, doubt their accomplishments and have a constant fear of being accused of fraud. You may be sitting in your new office, surrounded by many accolades and a sense of accomplishment, but a tiny voice is whispering, “Do you really deserve this?” That’s imposter syndrome.?

It’s as though a self-doubt gremlin has replaced your success cheerleader, saying, “Do you really belong here, or are you just the ‘token black woman?’” You find yourself constantly doubting your authority, second-guessing your decisions, and an unbearable pressure to do and say everything perfectly.?

The good news is that you’re not alone in this feeling, and it's totally normal. Many women, despite a multitude of examples of success, find themselves grappling with imposter syndrome, struggling with feelings of inadequacy and the constant fear of being “found out.”?

How Does Imposter Syndrome Manifest?

Imposter syndrome can manifest in many different ways. We’ll discuss some of the most common ways below, especially for women in leadership positions.?

1. Perfectionism Paralysis: Women in leadership roles may find themselves paralyzed by the fear of making a mistake, leading to procrastination and overburdening themselves with excessive tasks. Particularly if you are the first or the only woman of color in your department. That little voice says, “What if I fail? They’ll never hire another person of color for this role…” The pressure to always say or do the right thing is overwhelming and, therefore, paralyzing.
2. Overworking: You may believe you need to work harder than your peers to prove your worth. This leads to burnout and a perpetual state of exhaustion.?
3. Minimizing Achievements: Women often downplay their successes, attributing them to external factors such as luck or timing rather than acknowledging their own competence.?
4. Fear of Exposure: The constant fear of being “found out” can cause women to avoid seeking help or collaboration, which can further exacerbate feelings of isolation.?

What Causes Imposter Syndrome?

There isn’t one single thing that causes imposter syndrome – it can be a variety of factors, from culture and societal pressure to a lack of the right support network or significant historical underrepresentation. We’ll discuss each of these in more detail below:

1. Cultural and Societal Pressures: Societal expectations and cultural dynamics can contribute to the internalization of stereotypes, making women of color feel the need to continually prove their competence.?
2. Isolation and Lack of Support Networks: The significant life changes associated with leadership roles, such as relocation, can lead to a lack of a familiar support system, amplifying feelings of isolation.?
3. Historical Underrepresentation: A scarcity of role models and a history of underrepresentation in leadership positions can fuel self-doubt and contribute to Imposter Syndrome.?

Recognizing that one or each of these factors may play a role is the first step to conquering them. You have the power to break free from the cycle of self-doubt; it just may take a little help!

Navigating Imposter Syndrome: Your Toolkit

First things first, it’s time to adopt a growth mindset. Consider challenges your sidekicks helping you develop new solutions, rather than an enemy preventing your growth. Let’s also focus on building a support network – it’s time to find your tribe, your people. This is going to be the secret sauce to help combat isolation.?

1. Cultivate a Growth Mindset: Embrace challenges you face as opportunities for growth rather than threats against your competence. Your abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work.?
2. Build a Support Network: Actively seek out mentors, colleagues, and communities that foster a sense of belonging. Share experiences and lean on the wisdom of those who have faced similar challenges.?
3. Hire a Coach: Consider working with a coach who specializes in leadership development. Coaching programs like ours at Lead By Design Lab can provide personalized guidance, helping you navigate challenges, set goals, and build confidence.?

How To Break The Cycle of Self-Doubt: The Benefits of Coaching

Coaching isn’t just about fixing what’s broken; it’s about unlocking your potential. Imagine having someone in your corner, helping you navigate the challenges of dealing with tenured staff, learning to lead an effective team, avoiding burnout, and reminding you of your brilliance. That’s the magic of coaching!

The right coach will provide an unbiased perspective on challenges and opportunities that come your way, helping you set goals and decide what is most important to you. As a leadership coach with a background in higher education and an intimate understanding of corporate leadership techniques, I help equip women of color with tools to manage stress and avoid burnout, fostering an environment of self-reflection and teaching confidence-building exercises. Together, we’ll create a structured plan for your success as a leader in higher ed.?

Ready to say goodbye to imposter syndrome? Let’s chat about how we can help you navigate your leadership journey.??

Imposter Syndrome In A Nutshell

Whether you’re finding yourself, thrust into a new role as a department chair that you weren’t ever planning on, or you’ve finally been awarded your dream job as a Dean and are constantly asking yourself, “Am I really cut out for this?” You are. You are holding the key to your success.?

By recognizing how imposter syndrome manifests, understanding its causes, and implementing strategies to overcome it, women of color in higher education leadership roles can break free from the chains of self-doubt.??

Embrace the journey, surround yourself with allies, and consider bringing in a coach to be your co-pilot. You’re not an imposter; you’re a powerhouse, and it’s time for the world to see that. Academia is brighter with leaders like you!?

About The She Leads Higher Ed Newsletter: She Leads Higher Ed is a weekly LinkedIn newsletter designed to offer guidance, tools, and strategies to support women of color in higher education leadership.

This newsletter is curated by Dr. LaToya Jordan, Founder & Chief Consultant at Lead By Design Lab, who has culminated over 15 years of experience coaching executives from Fortune 500 companies to nonprofit organizations and educational institutions. LaToya's work is centered around helping leaders manage teams from a place of purpose, inclusivity, empathy, and respect, all while showing up as their very best selves.

If you are seeking personalized coaching around developing your authentic leadership approach, visit the website to learn more about our coaching programs uniquely designed for women of color leads in higher ed, or book a call with LaToya.

Additional Resources

• Jumpstart your leadership journey with the University Leadership Roadmap - a free guide to help women of color navigate a senior leadership role in higher ed.
• For additional tips on managing team dynamics, navigating University politics, and developing your leadership skills, sign up for LaToya's free email newsletter.