Students at University Centre Leeds have been finding out about the potentially debilitating effect of imposter syndrome, and how to overcome it.
Claire Humphris gave a talk on the issue on Thursday 24 February as part of the University Centre’s Women in Leadership programme.
Claire, who used to work for the University Centre’s parent Luminate Education Group, now runs her own business, Hatch Leadership & Coaching.
She made the decision to change track in the spring of 2021 and went on to sell her cottage and most of her belongings, move onto a 35ft narrowboat, and leave her job in education to become self-employed.
Claire referenced those brave, life-changing decisions, plus others that she has taken during her life, as she discussed Understanding and Dealing with Imposter Syndrome .
Meeting – and confounding – expectations
Deputy Head of Business at University Centre Leeds, Sarah Cook, said: “Claire shared her own personal story, which included a challenging start and a number of bold actions and life choices. Those included travelling, while a teenager, to work in New York; swimming the channel; and changing her life to live on a boat.
“The students were very engaged and keen to discuss their own personal experiences about the expectations that had been placed on them when they were very young, especially surrounding their educational achievements.”
Finding ways into leadership
Sarah added: “Both female and male students attended and there was also a discussion about why imposter syndrome is not so recognisable in men.
“This was a well-attended and lively session. Claire led an exercise with students to assess their own paths to achieving leadership positions and, once again, we received great feedback.”
The Women in Leadership programme will continue with a workshop on personal branding on Thursday 3 March.