Hi Reader,
The leaves are starting to turn fluorescent in Corvallis. Soon comes the liquid sunshine. I'm headed to California in a few days for my son's school's family weekend (on Halloween! Moms gone wild!) and MAYBE to my daughter's 21st bday celebration. She's had me on the dance card for a while....I'll need to wear training wheels.
Anyway, before we burrow in for the winter, I wanted to rethink a few dusty old ideas. Imposter syndrome it is.
Imposter syndrome often feels like a personal failure, but what if it's more about the environment we're in?
Many of us struggle with feeling like we're never enough, constantly bracing for the moment we're "found out." This fear can impact our ability to connect with colleagues and partners. We may hesitate to seek promotions, take on new challenges, or fully contribute our ideas and talents. When people feel like imposters, they're less likely to speak up, share their unique perspectives, or bring their whole selves to their work.
But attributing imposter syndrome solely to individual shortcomings misses a larger point: it's not just about us as individuals.
So, let's reframe the narrative: You're not an "imposter." And what you're experiencing isn't a "syndrome." These terms themselves can be misleading.
The truth is, many work cultures are built on foundations that inherently cause self-doubt. Whether it's through double standards, gaslighting, the effects of heteronormativity, or the disproportionate power held by white males, these systems contribute to imposter syndrome. It's not something we conjured up on our own, and sadly, it's not something we can simply "overcome" through self-improvement alone. (Although there’s plenty of benefit in addressing this on a personal level.)
After diving deep into the subject, I've come to realize that banishing imposter syndrome requires challenging and changing the cultural norms that marginalize incredibly talented individuals. This realization should not only liberate us from self-blame but also encourage those in positions of influence to foster an organizational culture that truly acknowledges and addresses this issue. This requires skills like building psychological safety within teams–which most people are not born knowing how to do. I have tips to share in another newsletter.
For anyone looking to explore this topic further, I recommend insightful resources:
1) These articles by Ruchika Tulshyan and Jodi-Ann Burey
2) Adam Grant's Work Life podcast.
Here's to building environments where everyone can feel valued and confident, free from the shadow of doubt that imposter syndrome casts.
What are the first signs of fall where you live?
Warmly,
Anne Murphy
Founder, She Leads AI
Founder and CEO, Empowered Fundraiser Consulting
P.S.We launch the second cohort of our She Leads AI Certified AI Educator program on November 6. If you're interested and have questions, reply here or connect with Michelle Muncy-Silva. It's currently 20% off to celebrate the CREATE Conference, including the Virtual Experience.
P.P.S. We are accepting applications for the Launch Your AI Consultancy cohort in February right now. Jump in here.
📢 Women in AI Making an Impact
Joanna Schofield is a nonprofit leader advancing health equity through data-driven strategy and Indigenous advocacy. As Individual Giving Manager at the Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health, her work supports programs impacting over 150 tribal communities. With a Master’s in Non-Profit Management and a background in fundraising, tech, and strategic planning, Joanna drives transformative partnerships that center community-led innovation and public health advancement.
Michele DeKinder-Smith is Managing Director at Linkage Labs, where she leads AI training initiatives designed to optimize business performance. With decades of leadership in market research and strategic facilitation, she brings deep expertise in segmentation, insights, and B2B/B2C strategy. A published author and seasoned speaker, Michele blends entrepreneurial savvy with AI innovation to help companies—from startups to Fortune 500s—make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Addie Achan is Head of Product at Project Own, building AI-powered tools to advance homeownership and economic equity. With experience at Google, BuzzFeed, and Fast Forward, Addie blends product leadership with a deep commitment to AI for social impact. A Stanford MBA and CS graduate, she brings a sharp, inclusive lens to technology—crafting solutions that drive meaningful change for underrepresented communities.
🗓️ BRING YOUR ANTI-AI BESTIE!
AI Foundations with She Leads AI
Understand AI. No jargon. No judgment. Just our genuine commitment to your success.
This 90-minute live session is for women who are curious, capable, and just… tired of feeling behind. You've seen the headlines. The job descriptions. The hype.
But none of it sounds like it was written for you.
⏰ October 24 from 4:00-5:30pm Pacific / 7:00-8:30pm Eastern
⏺️ Live on Zoom (replay included)
🎟️ $17
Hosted by the She Leads AI Academy - Register Here
🛑Heads up!
We will not be hosting Social Saturday on October 18.
Instead, we encourage everyone to participate in the No Kings events in whatever way feels right. If you are able to, take action. Join millions in the reminder that power belongs to the people.
🎨 Featured Artist
October's Art Series comes from Jess Whorton, an artist and entrepreneur whose focus is AI-powered HR solutions.
|
|
Jess Whorton is the Founder of Artisan HR, where she focuses on integrating AI with HR to enhance employee engagement and retention. Her people-first mindset inspires her to bridge the technology gap with empathy, accessibility, and inclusion. Jess holds a BBA in Human Resources Management from Western Governors University and is a Technical Team Member at Women Defining AI, leveraging AI to bridge technology and empathetic workplace practices. Connect with her on LinkedIn. |
🎙️Podcast Updates
AI Readiness Project with Anne Murphy and Kyle Shannon
From Gen Z Skepticism to Local AI Models: Jyunmi Hatcher on What's Next
In this week’s episode, Anne and Kyle welcome Jyunmi Hatcher to unpack a topic not often discussed outside of niche corners of the AI world: local AI models, personal computing, and why running AI on your own hardware might be more important than it sounds.
|
