Love Your Imposter, Says Expert

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Loving your Imposter - for Women in Higher Education Leadership and Academia was the theme of the latest Imbokodo workshop, an initiative aimed at empowering women to challenge their inner critic and embrace and promote their achievements while using this as a stepping-stone to take up more challenges and senior roles in the male-dominated Higher Education environment.

In line with the challenges posed by COVID-19 and remote work for women, Imbokodo’s 2021 focus is on wellbeing.

The imposter syndrome is defined as doubting one’s abilities and feeling like a fraud, despite evidence of success. It disproportionately affects high-achieving people, who find it difficult to accept their accomplishments. Studies show that 70% of people experience it in their professional lives. The workshop taught women to identify the imposter and capitalise on it to pursue the opportunities available at UKZN while making an impact nationally and internationally. 

In her welcome address, Human Resources (HR) Division Director, Ms Busisiwe Ramabodu said that, while many women at UKZN are accomplished, few avail themselves for promotion, even when those around recognise their potential. ‘Women tend to wait until they meet 100% of the requirements before they put themselves forward, whereas their male counterparts come forward with 60% of the requirements. This could be partially due to the imposter syndrome.’

The workshop was facilitated by Professor Nobuhle Hlongwa, Dean and Head of the School of Arts while the keynote address was presented by business leader, speaker, writer and brand strategist Ms Rita Clifton CBE.

Clifton is a board member of the John Lewis Partnership, Nationwide Building Society and Ascential plc, and a regular columnist and commentator, including for CNN, BBC, Sky and social channels, and was a business mentor and judge on the CNBC award-winning TV series Pop Up Start Up.

Her writing includes the best-selling book: The Future of Brands and two editions of The Economist book Brands and Branding. Her new book: Love Your Imposter is about new types of business leadership and has had some exceptional reviews.

Clifton spoke on three points: (1) Clarity - asking participants if they were clear about their goals; (2) Coherence - encouraging participants to know their skills, talents and ensure they know how to present themselves; and (3) Leadership - for the organisation, it is about setting the agenda and making sure they are constantly developing, while personal leadership development includes staying curious, learning about the digital world and changes in people and technology while refreshing one’s skills.

Clifton encouraged participants to work with the imposter rather than against it. They shared their experiences and the tools they use to overcome it. During the discussions, she also posed various questions to participants while running a poll to receive immediate feedback.

Clifton advised participants that, when leading a team, they should be the change they want to see and be able to create the kind of culture that they want to see in an organisation. She said the imposter syndrome can help a person prepare more, rehearse and work harder than they would have. She offered tips on how to manage one’s imposter and to gain more finance and communication skills as these will improve one’s presentation skills.

Sharing her experience of the syndrome, Professor Sinegugu Duma said when she became a Head of Department in a historically White university, she had to work twice as hard to prove herself, which can lead to burnout. She added that, even now at UKZN, she constantly has to prove herself.

Lecturer, Dr Nokuthula Cele said that her activities outside of academia, which include being a lay minister, preacher and a bass guitarist, have built her emotional strength and confidence in academia.

Delivering the vote of thanks, Professor Mariam Seedat-Khan thanked HR, Corporate Relations and Information and Communication Services team for working hard to put together the last Imbokodo workshop for the year and ensuring the smooth running of the discussions. She said they would love to see more of these in the future. 

Words: Sithembile Shabangu

Photograph: Supplied