Who is the fraud?
Who am I to write a guest blog for the Oxford English Dictionary on the Impostor Syndrome?
I have now given several talks on the subject of the Impostor Syndrome – more correctly termed Impostor Phenomenon – chaired a panel discussion for the General Assembly on the subject, been interviewed by the Telegraph and Cambridge TV on it, as well as receiving a distinction for my research into it when doing my Masters Degree a couple of years ago. So why did I still think, “what me? Really? can I do this?” when contacted by the Oxford English Dictionary to be a guest blogger on their new entry “Impostor Syndrome“.
The answer, as you may have guessed, is that I am one of the 70% who experience ‘imposter’ feelings.
Of course I said yes, and then set about controlling my internal chatter to be able to write a comprehensive piece.
Then I spot a completely incorrect use of the term in the The Times today. A fraudster does NOT experience the impostor syndrome or phenomenon. Those who set out to deliberately deceive others are actual impostors.
Please, it’s hard enough to experience the feelings without being confused with with real fraudsters. So, a plea to all journalists, please don’t muddle the use of impostor syndrome with real impostors.