USU - Feeling Like a Fraud: Navigating Perfectionism & Impostor Syndrome as Women

The Utah Women & Leadership Project invites you to join us for our fourth Fall Women’s Leadership Forum.

“Feeling like a fraud” is an issue that many women grapple with. In fact, research confirms that most women experience impostor syndrome in one or more areas of their lives. Impostor syndrome is a phenomenon that causes women to doubt their accomplishments or talents and have a persistent fear of being exposed as unqualified, even when there is ample evidence that they are competent. Perfectionism is one of the primary factors underlying this common experience, and it can negatively impact a woman’s confidence as well. Bringing in research findings, Dr. Susan R. Madsen will moderate a lively and engaging panel of Utah women leaders to discuss what causes impostor syndrome and perfectionism, why these challenges are so common among women specifically, and how we can more effectively navigate these experiences. By learning how to mitigate the negative effects of perfectionism and impostor syndrome, women can increase feelings of self-worth and confidence, strengthen aspirations and ambitions to lead, and become inspired to more fully engage in the community (locally, nationally, globally) as a support to other women and girls.