‽istis reclaims imposter syndrome (weekending
September 18th 2021)
In a week when the UK Cabinet is
reshuffled[i]
(perhaps, some might say, rearranged like chairs on a non-level deck of a
floundering ship of state?), ‽istis
reclaims imposter syndrome[iii] ‘suffered’
by an ‘individual who struggles to internalise success; who feels fraudulent;
and who attributes success to factors such as hard work, charm or luck.’[iv]
This weekending, ‽istis wonders whether some of the newly-promoted and the somehow-kept-in-post may wake and consider their competence and fit-for-purposeness; may hold the responsibility of government (and the delivery of the priorities of at-least-some-of-the-people) very heavily and with trepidation, with an absence of hubris and exceptionalism and with humility; may take only limited comfort in the confidence that has been instilled (sometimes as a result of possibly very expensive, exclusive and excluding education) and reinforced (group think-like) over the years?
But ‽istis cannot be sure, given the announcements,
pronouncements and responses; the unqualified language; the sheer sense of
certainty that exudes.
Yet, ‽istis also wonders whether catching a dose of ‘imposter syndrome’ (hopefully before policies and their outcomes
for others does the unmasking) might change things:
·
more partnership
·
more collaboration
·
more sensitivity
·
more tentativity
·
more caution…
But ‽istis also wonders whether this
is really what ‘the led’ want from their leaders, shakers and policy-makers and
whether it could actually result in better outcomes for everyone – the majority and
the minoritized – better health and wellbeing, greater security, more happiness[v]? Anyway,
here’s a humble invitation to the empowered – perhaps imagine that you might
be just a little bit of an imposter… It may
possibly make a difference‽
©
Pistis
NB: further reflections and comments linked to
this week’s theme and past blog
entries to be found on Twitter: replies, retweets (which don’t necessarily
indicate approval, sometimes the very opposite!) and ‘likes’: @Pistis_wonders.
‘Follows’ and respectful comment and dialogue welcome…
[i] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ministerial-appointments-september-2021
(being updated as this is typed)
[iii]
See Clance, P. R., & Imes, S. A. (1978). The imposter phenomenon in high
achieving women: Dynamics and therapeutic intervention. Psychotherapy: Theory,
Research & Practice, 15(3), 241–247. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0086006 &
https://thepsychologist.bps.org.uk/volume-23/edition-5/feeling-fraudhttps://thepsychologist.bps.org.uk/volume-23/edition-5/feeling-fraud
