Is imposter syndrome common?

Product
Director of Product
Leadership
States of mind
Finding courage at work
Sarah on cord

Sarah, Director of Product

over 6 months ago

Is imposter syndrome common?

I actually remember at a Net-A-Porter board meeting, lots of really important people there, feeling very like, am I right here? Can I say what I want to say? Feeling very nervous. I remember one of my colleagues who was something the editorial director or the most senior person in the room, essentially. She turned and just said out loud, “I always feel really nervous in these meetings. I feel everyone knows what they're talking about, except me.” I had a total reality check, because this is somebody I looked up to. A super senior person in the business, always seemed super cool, always knew what she was talking about. To have just said that and just openly say, I suddenly felt so much better. Actually, it affects everybody. Actually, probably everyone's having this little conversation in their head. I think the more you think about that and realise, the better it is.