“When you don’t own your own greatness, you get in your own way.”

—Kelly Wylie, Santa Clara County

In our latest episode of Peachjar Extra Credit, Matt was joined by guest co-host Ryan Foran and Santa Clara County Office of Education Executive Director of Public Affairs, Kelly Wylie, to discuss imposter syndrome in the school workplace. Kelly shared some tips to help school communications professionals identify imposter syndrome and overcome it. 

What Is Impostor Syndrome?

Impostor syndrome, sometimes referred to as the Imposter Phenomenon, describes the internal experience of doubting one’s abilities and the fear of being exposed as a “fraud.” Despite having the skills and qualifications, individuals experiencing imposter syndrome often feel like they don’t belong or aren’t worthy of success. Kelly Wylie shared that she experiences imposter syndrome, despite having over 30 years of experience in the field. "Even with that many years, the imposter syndrome is still real. Super real," she said. Kelly’s story is a reminder that imposter syndrome is something even the most seasoned school communications professionals face, and it’s something worth addressing head-on.

The Imposter Phenomenon was first coined by psychologists Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes in 1978, to describe how high-achieving individuals often feel like they don’t belong, despite their accomplishments. The experience is typically characterized by feelings of self-doubt, often accompanied by thoughts like, Why is everyone smarter/more accomplished than me? and When will they realize I’m not as competent as them? These feelings can cycle, with individuals completing tasks or projects, only to downplay their successes or rationalize them as a stroke of luck.

5 Identifiers of Imposter Syndrome

The To break it down even further, it’s widely accepted that imposter syndrome isn’t a one-size-fits-all experience. It manifests in different ways depending on the individual. During a recent session at the CalSPRA (California School Public Relations Association) conference, Kelly identified and presented five common patterns that characterize imposter syndrome:

• The Perfectionist: These individuals feel like they must be flawless in everything they do. Anything less than perfect feels like failure. 
• The Expert: These people believe they need to have all the answers and the most complete knowledge before they can act or speak on a topic.
  
• The Natural Genius: This person feels that success should come easily, and if they struggle or need help, they feel inadequate. Typically, they’re really involved in the ‘how’ and ‘when,’ believing their success should adhere to a specific timeline.
• The Soloist: Soloists prefer to work alone, believing they can’t ask for help without revealing their lack of competence.
• The Superhero/Superhuman: Maintain ongoing communication with student groups and staff for collaboration.

Research has shown that imposter syndrome tends to be more common among women and minority groups, though it can affect anyone. Studies point out that this syndrome is linked to personality types like perfectionists, high achievers, and those who prefer to work alone.

As Kelly pointed out, these traits are fluid, meaning you might identify with one more than others, but it’s common for them to ebb and flow depending on the situation.

Comparison Is a Thief of Joy (and Contributor to Imposter Syndrome)

A major contributor to imposter syndrome is the tendency to compare ourselves to others. In the professional world, it’s easy to look at more experienced colleagues or industry "giants" and feel less than. However, as Ryan mentioned, it’s important to remember that “everyone starts somewhere.” Ryan expanded on that, saying, "It's human nature; we all compare to the next person to see where we fit...but you need to realize that it's okay to be where you're at. You have to start somewhere." Even the most successful people have had to work their way up, face setbacks, and experience self-doubt.

As Kelly pointed out, the pressure of being surrounded by more “seasoned” colleagues can also amplify self-doubt. "You need to have somebody who will anchor you, cheerlead for you...putting together your squad will definitely help," Kelly advised, emphasizing the importance of having a support system to help combat these feelings of inadequacy.

“Putting together your squad will definitely help.”

—Kelly Wylie, Santa Clara County

Overcoming Impostor Syndrome

While imposter syndrome may never fully disappear, there are ways to manage it and continue moving forward with confidence:

• Positive Self-Talk: Remind yourself of your strengths and achievements. Kelly recommended finding a positive mantra to counter negative thoughts. This could be something as simple as, “I am capable, I am worthy.” "Keep that positive self-talk going...I'm smart, I'm attractive, and gosh darn it, people like me," she joked, highlighting the importance of reinforcing self-affirming thoughts.
• Establish Your "Squad": Surround yourself with people who can anchor you during difficult times. Whether it’s a mentor, colleague, or friend, having a support system can help combat feelings of isolation and self-doubt. This is especially important because, as the Imposter Phenomenon describes, even high achievers may struggle with feelings of inadequacy despite visible success.
  
• Celebrate Your Wins: It’s easy to focus on what went wrong or what’s still left to do, but acknowledging your successes is crucial for building confidence. "Leaning in on the things that I do well...that just kind of affirms to me positively that I’m not a perfect person, but I do pretty good," Kelly said, underscoring the importance of focusing on progress, not perfection.
• Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself when you make mistakes. Mistakes are part of growth, not evidence of failure. Recognize that no one has all the answers, and learning from setbacks is part of the journey. As Kelly noted, “The negative talk is oftentimes, for whatever reason, so much easier to believe than the positive self-talk,” reinforcing the need to balance negative thoughts with self-compassion.
  
• Recognize Your Triggers: Identifying when imposter syndrome is starting to creep in can help you address it before it spirals. Reflect on what specific situations, people, or thoughts trigger feelings of inadequacy, and develop strategies to challenge these thoughts. As the Imposter Phenomenon describes, this can involve cognitive distortions where people believe they’ve "tricked" others into thinking they are capable, even when they are not. 

The Power of Community

One of the most powerful aspects of discussing imposter syndrome in a group setting is realizing you’re not alone. Sharing stories and hearing others express similar struggles can be incredibly validating. At the CalSPRA conference, Kelly and her co-presenter found that many participants felt a sense of relief after discussing their experiences openly. Simply knowing that others face the same challenges can be incredibly healing.

“There’s a lot of power in sharing with others who understand.””

—Kelly Wylie, Santa Clara County

As Kelly put it, “There’s a lot of power in sharing with others who understand.” School communications professionals often deal with crisis communications and negative feedback, which can skew perceptions and make it harder to recognize the positive impact they’re making. "Our lens is skewed because...we're dealing with negativity for the most part. There's 90-95% of the people who are thrilled with us that we don't hear from," Kelly explained. Having a supportive community where people can lift each other up and celebrate successes is essential for overcoming imposter syndrome.

Tips for Navigating Impostor Syndrome in School Comms

• Don’t Compare Yourself to Others: As Kelly said, "Don't compare yourself to others. Those giants—people you admire—still do all the same things we do on a daily basis.
  
• Give Yourself Grace: Remember that everyone’s journey is different. Focus on your own path and progress—and know you are probably doing better than you give yourself credit for. 
  
  • "Give yourself grace. It's so much easier to say than to do, but don’t compare yourself to other people," Kelly advised.
• Invest in Your Growth: If you feel like there’s a gap in your knowledge or skills, take steps to learn and grow. Reach out to a mentor, attend conferences, join a professional networking group, or read books to build confidence in areas where you feel uncertain.
• Be Patient with Yourself: Personal growth and professional success don’t happen overnight. Give yourself permission to be a beginner and to take time to build expertise.
• Lean into Your Network: Establish a network of supportive colleagues and mentors who will remind you of your worth and help you navigate difficult moments.
  
  • "You all are doing a great job out there...if you feel like you need to learn or grow in a certain area, find someone that can help you learn," Matthew encouraged.

Final Thoughts

Impostor syndrome is a common experience that many school communications professionals face, regardless of experience or expertise. It’s important to acknowledge these feelings and take steps to manage them. Whether it’s through positive self-talk, finding a support network, or reflecting on your successes, overcoming impostor syndrome is possible.

If you're struggling, remember that you’re not alone. And, as Kelly reminds us, give yourself grace and celebrate your uniqueness. After all, no one else has the exact same skills, perspectives, or experiences that you do. You belong in the room—just as much as anyone else.

If you're interested in learning more about how to combat impostor syndrome, watch our Peachjar Extra Credit video! Kelly also recommended the book Own Your Greatness and notes that it offers practical exercises and insights to help you embrace your value and step into your power.