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Why Capable People Suffer from the Impostor Syndrome and How to Thrive in Spite of It

About the Author

Valerie Young is co-founder of Impostor Syndrome Institute. An internationally recognized expert for four decades, she has delivered her Rethinking Impostor Syndrome. program to over half a million people at such diverse organizations as Pfizer, Google, NASA, Harvard, Stanford, and Oxford. Young earned her doctoral degree from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, where she helped found the Social Justice Education program, a forerunner to today's DE&I training. Although her early research focused on professional women-over half of whom were women of color-much of the original findings have proven applicable to anyone with impostor feelings. Her book has been reprinted in five languages.

Reviews

“[Valerie] Young’s extremely perceptive and action-oriented solutions shine. . . . A can’t-miss primer for businesswomen everywhere.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women examines a common affliction and offers tools, insight, scientific evidence, and numerous examples that aim to banish the impostor for good. Valerie Young’s diligence, passion for the subject, and belief that anyone can overcome feelings of inadequacy, duplicity, and unworthiness rings loudly throughout The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women.”—New York Journal of Books

“Dr. Young is a mapmaker. She inspires us to go for it by providing guidelines to make success a choice based on our values rather than on our fear of incompetence. This book is a gift to the millions who want to replace fear and suffering with excitement and joy in their achievements. I am recommending it to all my clients and students who suffer with impostor feelings.”—Suzanne Imes, Ph.D., co-coiner of the impostor phenomenon

“Valerie Young’s book, The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women, provides important insights into the impostor experience of very competent women. She provides important knowledge that can help women begin to truly appreciate and acclaim their success.”—Pauline Rose Clance, Ph.D., ABPP, co-coiner of the impostor phenomenon

“Self-doubt is common, but when it impedes you from attaining your goals, it’s time to take action. This book shows you how to move beyond feeling like an impostor so that you can achieve your full personal and professional potential.”—Lois P. Frankel, Ph.D., author of Nice Girls Just Don’t Get It and Nice Girls Don’t Get the Corner Office

“The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women is as important as The Feminine Mystique. Quite simply, if you are a woman—or love one—this book belongs in your library.”—Barbara J. Winter, author of Making a Living Without a Job