Imposter Monsters
What is Imposter Syndrome?
Imposter Syndrome was originally called the Imposter Phenomenon by researchers Clance & Imes in their first research about the experience in 1978. They identified that feeling like an imposter involved three parts: not feeling good enough, attributing achievements to external forces or luck, and a feeling that one is about to be "found out" as a phoney.
The Imposter Phenomenon is experienced by up to 82% of people! Including many famous and high-achieving individuals.
What are Imposter Monsters?
Imposter Monster work draws upon the therapeutic practice called Internal Family Systems (IFS) or parts-work, which recognizes that we all have parts of us that show up to help us handle certain moments and/or manage our emotions.
You can give a name and a face to that voice inside your head that says you are an imposter - your Imposter Monster!
Once you meet your Monster you can start to understand why and when they are likely to show up. Rather than just ignoring that voice or powering through challenging situations, you will have the opportunity to co-develop healthier coping strategies.
My Monster Mungo
A story about imposter syndrome
With relatable characters, humor, and engaging illustrations, My Monster Mungo presents a fresh new way to think about the dreaded imposter syndrome - your Imposter Monster!
Join Katy as she learns that her feelings of not being good enough, being a phoney who has only gotten where she is by luck, and that that luck is about to run out - AKA being an imposter - are shared by all her friends.
When her friend Alice mentions her Imposter Monster Moo, Katy decides to meet her own Monster, Mungo. Katy and Mungo spend a weekend exploring the research behind imposter syndrome and how to cope with it. Together, they work to shift Katy’s mindset from feeling like a constant failure to being able to celebrate her successes.
This cheerful illustrated story will help you turn your Monster from a voice that makes you feel small to a partner who helps you do hard things.
Readers will:
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Go on a learning adventure with Katy and Mungo
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Learn why they might feel like an imposter, and how to meet their Monster
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Engage research-based strategies to handle their own imposter feelings
Includes an Author’s Note explaining the research behind the story, Discussion Questions, and a Further Reading guide.
On shelves January, 2025!
Is this for me?
This is for anyone who has ever felt:
😶🌫️ Shame when they weren’t perfect
😶🌫️ Shame when they can’t be everything to everyone all the time
😶🌫️ Like they are going to be “found out” as not being all that talented
😶🌫️ Like they are not good enough to receive the accolades they are given
😶🌫️ Hyper Aware of the ways in which their community might judge them for their successes and/or failures
😶🌫️ Like there was a voice inside their head telling them they aren’t strong/smart/talented enough to try something new
…but wants to keep making an impact on the world anyway.
Download your Getting Started with Imposter Monsters Guide!
Introducing Your Imposter Monster workshops can be held at companies or organizations, and are occasionally held with open registration. Workshops range from 90 minutes to 8 hours.
Please contact us if you are interested in a workshop for your company, or join our email list to be notified about registration for the next open registration workshop.
FAQs
Will this help me be more confident?
Yes!
My experience in working with clients’ Imposter Monsters is that it does help them become more confident. By understanding why you feel like an imposter in certain situations, you can develop a more realistic view of your competence, the competence of others, and what it really means to meet and exceed expectations. Once you are grounded in a different viewpoint, it’s much easier to feel confident!
When we're talking to our Monsters are we... like... talking to voices in our heads?
Well… kind-of! But really we all have different parts within us that show up at different times, and most of us talk to them all the time. For example, think of the last time you had a protective instinct rise up. In your head you might have said, “Oh NO he didn’t!!!” or “She did NOT just say that!”
That’s very similar to how most of us actually interact with our imposter feelings. By meeting your Monster, you’re just giving that voice a bit more of a persona, which makes it easier to learn from that voice rather than having it scare you off from doing the thing that made you feel like a phoney.
How does this relate to leadership?
Research shows that up to 82% of people experience imposter feelings at some point.
But.. it also shows that many people don’t really understand what Imposter Syndrome is (it’s not just feeling a little nervous to give a talk). When we learn more about what Imposter Syndrome is and how to handle our own feelings of imposterdom we can be more compassionate when others experience it, and can help create environments where others’ Monsters are less likely to show up.
Who should pay for this?
Ideally your workplace should provide some funding for your attendance. Imposter feelings are expensive for organizations - they cause procrastination, job hopping, and lack of confidence in presenting creative ideas. A good manager should recognize this and allow you to use your professional development funds for this workshop, but let us know if you need help convincing them!
Who are you to be talking about this?
I’m Dr. AJ Lauer, leadership coach specializing in developing inclusive leadership skills in STEM professionals.
This is me and my Imposter Monster Borscht.
Yes, I have a Monster too!
I’m a certified Executive Coach with a doctorate in Leadership Studies. I often work 1:1 with professionals but love to facilitate workshops because it’s so fun to learn with y’all.
If you want to learn more about how I think and talk about leadership, check me out on LinkedIn or sign up for our email list.
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