The Surprising Solution to the Imposter Syndrome | Lou Solomon | TEDxCharlotte

Answers to the self-doubt experienced by successful people can help anyone build a stronger sense of self. 70% of successful people have experienced the feelings associated with the Impostor Syndrome, such as fear of failure and perfectionism. Whether you have it, or know someone who does, there are steps to build a more satisfying and happy life.

Lou Solomon is a CEO, author and communications expert who is also a survivor of the Impostor Syndrome, a widespread condition that prevents successful people from internalizing and enjoying their accomplishments.

Lou is a member of the adjunct faculty at the McColl School of Business at Queens University of Charlotte, and co-founder of the school’s annual TWIST Conference for Women. She released her first book, Say Something Real in 2010 and is currently working on her second book.

[theonlychampion]

My imposter syndrome manifests in me not trying if there is a risk of failure

[shirleynavarro]

I’m 22 and I’m an engineer in a multinational corporation, living alone away from home as an independent person, speak 3 languages and graduated... but i feel like a failure every single day, terrified that I’ll get fired over any mistake i could get to make, but at the same time just wishing that it happens already.

[CristanMeijer]

I think an effective way to combat this is to applaud effort, not the end result. e.g. if you say someone is very smart, they'll might think it's undeserving and they might not want to do anything more difficult to avoid people noticing they're actually not that smart. However, if you applaud their effort, they shouldn't be afraid to do something which might fail because it's the effort that counts.

[domm]

Great talk. For me, I've come to the conclusion that success is peace of mind.

[d]

This is the purest comment section on YouTube. Keep up the great work, friends.

[affiliatemarketingtraining]

"Take imperfect action. Just get it out there!"

[SavolX]

Hm, that's kind of interesting from my Russian perspective.
I always loved Americans for their openness and ability to speak about their failures\negative habits\conditions easily, don't get caught in this stuff. And this is liberating.
While I always seen this as some sort of habit in Russian people — to be afraid to show weakness, and hide negative stuff about yourself.
But what I learned from this talk that we essentially are absolutely the same and have the same inner daemons to fight.

[nocultist]

Unfinished masterpieces are the worst thing that follows me every day...

[meaghenstandlee]

Anxiety ✔️
Perfectionist ✔️
Self doubt ✔️
Fear of failure ✔️
Thank you for posting this video!! I feel this way at my work been here 8 months and feel like I don't belong everyday 😩

[edsheeranandcoffee]

I just learned about the imposter syndrome tonight. It describes me perfectly. I always thought it was just me who thinks this way about myself, but now I know it's many others too. Time to try to trust myself more and give myself more credit for my accomplishments and allow myself to go after my dream

[standardshift]

I'm kind of overwhelmed with how much your talk is explaining about my life, how I've made choices, and how my anxieties manifest themselves. Thank you Lou.

[naturenerd]

Lou, you have just summed up what I have been living with since I was a young teenager. I now understand much more clearly where so many of my hardships have been coming from. I just recently realized that my all-consuming fear of failure and the need to be perfect in everything that I do is what has caused so much crippling anxiety and self doubt....you summed it up beautifully. I am now on the path to breaking down my own feelings of being an imposter career-wise, i.e., doing a PhD and becoming a field that I have never naturally been good at, so in my mind I had failed at it before I even started. There is a good likelihood that I would not be perfect at it, which makes me so reluctant, but I know now that this is a flawed way of thinking and that I could make amazing contributions to science if I just tried.
Thanks for reminding me to be human; my inner radical hero wants to hug you!

[Cappellano]

My siblings and I are high achievers. My brother and sister are CEOs of their respective companies, and I am completing my doctorate and just landed my dream job, but we all struggle with imposter syndrome. This talk was so helpful and I now understand that the issue is not me, but the way we were raised.

[becreb]

I had imposter syndrome and I realized that during that time, I avoided every situation that amplified that feeling. Anything stressful, scary or intimidating, I just avoided. Once I started to force myself to go out of that comfort zone, I realized that I actually did just fine and that everyone else basically felt the same way. Even talking honestly with people and telling them how I felt made them more comfortable around me because they could relate to it.

[dankelly]

"Live, fail, love, and ask for help." ❤

[lovingme]

Sitting here at 4am in tears because i started a new career and this explains me. Idk what to do... just watching this thinking I should quit.

[rcnal]

As a leader I’m the first to praise and give all the credit. As an individual I’m constantly putting myself down saying I didn’t earn it.

[radhamesreyes]

This video has granted me the freedom to finally take a deep breath and say that I am worthy. THANK YOU

[syndersoot]

Moving from a career to a calling! That is deep...thanks Lou

[Passiyona]

I was a total imposter when I fell in love with a Narcissist... And that was the most damaging combination ever, but I am thankful for the lessons I've learned.