In order to “overcome” imposter syndrome, most self help books teach us that we should just believe that we can be anything that we think we should be. While a positive mindset and confidence can be beneficial, with this way of thinking, our egos are still in control as they drive us on never ending quests for more validation and achievement. In this episode, the Upbuild team takes a deep dive into the complexities and drivers of imposter syndrome, differentiating the ego from the true self. They discuss a real life example of imposter syndrome, how imposter syndrome can be unhealthy when it gets refracted through the ego, and how imposter syndrome can be healthy when it gives us access to humility and to our real selves.

Podcast Hosts: Hari Prasada, Michael, Rasanath, and Vipin (the full Upbuild team)

Highlights

• [01:45] Michael’s intense experience of impostor syndrome

• [3:00] The feeling of shame that can arise when we get praise

• [7:00] How getting the role/position that we desire can lead to imposter syndrome

• [7:47] How we both want and don’t want validation 

• [08:30] How imposter syndrome can be healthy when it gives us access to humility and to our real self

• [8:58] C.S. Lewis’ quote, “Humiliation comes before humility”

• [12:39] The full life cycle of an emotion

• [19:00] Imposter syndrome as the same voice as the inner critic

• [20:06] Separating distortions and exaggerations from truths 

• [28:10] The glorification of being “thick-skinned” in our corporate culture

• [31:49] The Humane Feedback System

• [38:00] How many CEOs and leaders frequently compare themselves to Steve Jobs 

• [42:15] Raw vulnerability vs. processed vulnerability

• [45:08] What can we learn from imposter syndrome

Quotes

• “Imposter syndrome is like any emotion. It’s really good data, but it’s not an eternal fact.” -Michael

• “At a certain point in the life cycle of the ego, we will feel that we don’t deserve anything.” -Hari Prasada

• “When we suppress the little pains because we are tough and we are thick-skinned, we lose our hearts and we let our egos run the show.”- Hari Prasada

• “As soon as there is a pressure of performing like somebody else, we naturally become imposters.”-Rasanath

• "We need to keep in mind that nothing actually belongs to us"- Hari Prasada