Overcoming ‘Journalist Impostor Complex’
You got it. The dream gig, the once-in-a-lifetime interview, the cover shot. Then it hits you: you’re not ready for it. You have no idea what you are doing! This must all be a terrible mistake.
Say hello to your Impostor Complex. This unpleasant syndrome is rampant among women journalists, hindering our mojo and dampening our sense of achievement.
I should know, because mine is flaring up lately. I’m writing an advice column for journalists and my mind is busy listing the names of a hundred women who would be better at it and insisting I won’t be qualified until I get a Pulitzer.
But while we wait… here’s some advice on how to kick your self-doubt — from one impostor to another.
# Listen closely to it
I know it sounds counter-intuitive but, I beg you, don’t just ignore your Impostor Complex or drown it in work and wine (trust me, I’ve tried both). Instead, listen to the chorus of voices shouting: “Who do you think YOU are?”
Can you hear them? The millennia of men telling women to “know their place”? The middle school bully laughing at you to deflect attention from them? The condescending boss who wants your promotion to feel like a personal favor?
When we dissect our Impostor reasoning, we see it is not founded on logic or intuition. It’s just a sad coagulate of half-baked inadequacy fears — always inaccurate and often sexist as heck.
# Be very pragmatic
Editors are not humanitarians. Most interviewees are not friends with your mom. And jury panels are definitely not in the business of pranking journalists. So if your Impostor Complex is having a field day, just ask yourself:
Which of these two scenarios is more likely?
A) There is a global conspiracy to make you feel like you are good at your job when you are actually awful.
B) You are simply good at what you do. Go figure.
# Be compassionate
Once you’ve unmasked the poor reasoning behind your Impostor Complex, you will likely notice everyone is battling their own version of it. So please congratulate your colleagues often and let them know they’re not alone.
I don’t think the Impostor Complex can ever be truly eradicated. But maybe, with practice, we can start seeing it for what it is: a small fee to pay for venturing into new professional heights. The signpost of our courage.
Love,
L
PS: Do you have a question? I’m all ears dear.laura@womeninjournalism.org
Hosted by the Coalition for Women in Journalism
Curated by Kiran Nazish
