Do you have Impostor Syndrome ... too? | Phil McKinney | TEDxBoulder

"What happens when you share the secret that has been feeding your impostor syndrome for more than 25 years? Phil McKinney, retired Chief Technology Officer for Hewlett-Packard and currently CEO at CableLabs, shares a secret that he kept hidden for 25 years and the result of that secret being revealed on the front page of a national newspaper. Through this journey, Phil comes face-to-face with the impact impostor syndrome has on the individual and their career.

[michellepackman]

I'm literally using watching this video and combatting my imposter syndrome as a means to procrastinate. I'm so, so afraid of failure and of disappointing my colleagues.

[jmk]

Wow! Seriously. I have been suffering for so long and I didn’t know why. Phil giving me his eg of what he was “ hiding” made me think of what I was “ hiding” -and I figured out exactly what it was. The main reason and things tied to it- are not something to be embarassed about in reality- but it “is” to me. I have been suffering with it for 25 years! I feel a cloud over me every single day. I feel unworthy because of it all. And on top of that, having envious family and people for my acheivements made it worse. I hide my achievements to avoid the spotlight and from getting the jealous eye and envious comments. I did my best with what I was given, I did put in effort, I deserve what I achieved, sorry that I disappointed the ones who hoped and thought I would amount to “nothing”. Damn! Phil. I have seen a few therapists over the years. And no one could help me. I wish I could talk to someone as wise as you. Just a safe person who got me- but that’s okay, for this moment, this talk of yours has greatly helped me. I will stop feeling embarassed and move forward with confidence no matter what anyone says.Wow- great talk, made for me- thank you.

[harrypearle]

ME - 2 (But we may have secret weaknesses, as you say, that need work and help)
I struggled with college teaching for many years, but I did not work on my weaknesses.
Now, we have computers and YouTube to clue us in, so we can work on weaknesses ...

[ethan-L]

I met him in person in Central Square, Cambridge in early 2000s. what a nice guy.

[NovatronIT]

Phil, you are amazing! Thank you so much for this. God bless!

[zoecresswell]

i'm 15 and i have had imposter syndrome for at least the past three years. I am an overachiever and a workaholic, yet i deliberatly sabotarge myself so i end up doing no assignemnts to the best of my ablity. The worst part of it all is that i know i'll never be good enough, for the people around me, i know that i am, but for me, from my perspective, i'll never be able to live up to my own epectations for myself. So i will, no matter what, be a failure in my eyes. It sucks, but at least it means that i will always want more from myself. i dont know why im sharing this here, but i just thought it might be helpful for someone out there if they can realte to this too.

[Lpolvado]

Phil is amazing! This is a great talk and highlights just how amazing and motivational Phil is not to mention most importantly AUTHENTIC!

[RazorFoxDV]

My impostor syndrome isn't helped in the slightest by me being told at two separate jobs by the people who interviewed me that "we almost didn't hire you." So I got the job but now I feel like I rightfully shouldn't have and I feel a desperate, overwhelming need to overperform on every possible metric as I feel like I've got to prove them wrong every single minute that I'm on the clock because doing so helps to ensure my continued employment, and that if I should ever fail to be anything less than spectacular, then those same people will have their suspicions confirmed that hiring me was a mistake and they won't hesitate to can me.

[TheRedprofessor]

If 75% of the people have this "syndrome", why is it that we're talking about it and not about the 25% who don't have it?

[CAPITAL_LETTERS-kw]

I really needed this, but the part at 9:52, I stopped doing that to one of my colleagues because his arrogance has gone from 5 to 10. Sure he has vast experience on all things tech-related but at times needed some corrections on his code, but telling him how awesome he was, those compliments bloat his already massive ego

[zakes_go]

I didn't go to my prom dance because I went through high-school without studying so I did not feel like I deserved to go 😔

[karharinas]

I just realized today I suffer of this syndrome ! I can’t describe the scale of revelation . A whole new chapter. An opportunity to do something about it

[Francisco-colb]

The thing is, now I feel like a bigger imposter for thinking I'm just part of the 75% who suffer from imposter syndrome. I feel like if I met Phil he would say "Oh dude, forget it. You, you should be arrested!" *cue Curb Your Enthusiasm theme*

[plantifulalexandra]

Experiencing severe imposter syndrome today and I know it's the reason for me procrastinating.

[JRobertoBatista]

I think I'm not capable of learning new skills, so I give up right after I start taking up something.

[watchandgrowrich]

Find a way to share your secret or be an encourager

[aboutlifeabouttime]

acording to my teachers am the top student in our feild in the university for the past three years, but i don't beleave it because last year i had deppression and ptsd i couldn't understand any of the courses we were having i managed to get my score but i don't know how because i can't remember what happened the past year, i still beleave am an imposter because i have a bachlor degree withour remembering what i even studied i don't think i can ever beleave otherwise

[Virex]

I'm even bad at having imposter syndrome. Great.. just.. great!

[KarinaLlanos]

I´ve finished all my degrees and milestone steps and still feel not good enough or that my knowledge is worthless, or are asking me to be something I´m not, so I don´t know if what I feel falls into the same category...

[JRobertoBatista]

Yes to 98% of his questions about the syndrome.