Do you ever feel like a fake? Like you're not really qualified for the job you're doing despite your achievements and credentials?

Or like you've just lucked your way into whatever professional or academic success you enjoy,

but you're just one mistake away from being found out for the fraud you really are.

If so, you're not alone. Those are signs of imposter phenomenon, also called imposter syndrome. While estimates vary, some research suggests that up to 70% or more of people experience

imposter feelings at some point in their lives.

So where do these feelings come from?

Who is most likely to experience imposter phenomenon?

What repercussions can it have in people's personal and professional

lives? And if you're troubled by imposter feelings, what can you do to address them and keep them from holding you back?

Welcome to Speaking of Psychology, the flagship podcast of the American Psychological Association that examines the links between psychological science and everyday life.

I'm Kim Mills.

We have two guests today.

First is Dr. Lisa Orbey Austin, a counseling psychologist and career coach in New York City,

where she focuses on helping clients with career advancement, career transitions, and leadership development.

Her book, Own Your Greatness, Overcome Imposter

Syndrome, beat self-doubt, and succeed in life, offers readers advice based on decades of research,

as well as her own experience helping clients recognize and overcome imposter phenomenon.

Our second guest is Dr. Kevin Coakley, a professor of educational psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. Dr.

Coakley studies African American psychology and he is particularly interested in understanding

the psychological and environmental factors that affect African American student achievement.

As part of that work, he has explored the imposter phenomenon and its relationship to mental

health and academic outcomes among ethnic minority students.

...