Imposter Phenomenon - The HR Perspective - with Denise McMurray

Imposter Phenomenon - The Author's Perspective - with Dr Lucy Ryan

Episode 8 of Work Truths: Off the Record is live, and this week I’m joined by Dr Lucy Ryan, a UK-based positive psychologist and author whose work focuses on women’s professional development. If you’re a woman in midlife – or live with one, or work with one, or are friends with one – you might want to listen to this. I invited Lucy, author of ‘Revolting Women: Why midlife women are walking out and what to do about it’, to talk to me about the relationship between the imposter phenomenon and being a woman in midlife. Turns out, it’s an interesting one! Lucy brings such an important perspective to our topic, because she sees it not just as self-doubt, but as a signal that something important is shifting. In our conversation, we explore why she believes these feelings can show up at exactly the point of growth – when someone is stretching into new territory, taking on more, or rethinking what they want from work and life. Lucy’s research on women over 50 opens up so many questions about visibility, confidence and career transitions in midlife. We discuss why some women feel less relevant or increasingly invisible as they get older, how gendered ageism plays into that, and why menopause can amplify self-doubt for some, while post-menopausal life can bring a renewed sense of confidence and freedom too. We also discuss what she found in her research about midlife women stepping sideways, stepping down, or stepping out altogether – often because of care responsibilities, exhaustion, boredom, or a wish for something more creative. If you want a conversation that looks at imposter feelings through the lens of midlife, menopause and women’s careers, this one is packed with insight. Guest Information As Managing Director of Mindspring International for the last 23 years, Lucy has a lifetime of corporate experience. Lucy has trained, consulted with, and coached over 13,000 leaders in global, blue-chip companies across 29 countries. Her 2021 bestseller, ‘Lunchtime Learning for Leaders’ synthesised her down-to-earth approach. Lucy is a passionate advocate for women’s professional development, helping organisations attract, retain, and promote their female leaders and gender proof their succession plans. Noticing a trend of female midlife clients leaving their corporate roles, she led a unique five-year doctoral research project exploring this phenomenon, filling a long-standing data gap. Lucy’s 2023 book, ‘Revolting Women: why midlife women walk out (and what to do about it)’, was an instant Amazon bestseller and hailed by the Sunday Times as “clear, pithy and enraging”. Her book won Business Book of the Year (Diversity & Inclusion), 2024. Lucy is an accredited Master Practitioner Coach and nominated in 2024 as one of the top 100 global coaches for women, and one of the ‘top 5 women to watch in 2024’. Lucy holds a Masters in Positive Psychology from the University of East London, and a PhD in Organisational Leadership from University of Liverpool. She lectures in Positive Leadership & Happiness at the University of East London. Lucy joined Stanford University’s Catalyst Programme in September 2025. Lucy’s Website, Social Links and Books: mindspring.uk.com [http://mindspring.uk.com] www.lucyryan.co.uk [http://www.lucyryan.co.uk] https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Lucy-Ryan/author/B09BBHX42Z?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true [https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Lucy-Ryan/author/B09BBHX42Z?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true]

Imposter Phenomenon - The Human Perspective - with Erik Johnson

Episode 7 of Work Truths: Off the Record is live, and this time I’m talking with Eric Johnson, the instrument operations group leader for the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source. Eric has one of those job titles that sounds brilliantly impressive – and yet he talks very honestly about not always recognising himself in it. That tension sits right at the heart of our conversation. We explore what it feels like to work in a highly technical environment alongside very intelligent specialists, while seeing your own role as the person joining things up rather than being the expert in every detail. Eric is deeply honest in this conversation, and his willingness to be truthful about his own experiences of feleing like an imposter allowed us to explore vital aspcets of this experience – such as how it shows up in the body. The knot in the stomach, the urge to freeze, the inner voice that does everything possible to make him feel small. We also talk about the habit of focusing only on problems, and how that can shape not just work you deliver, but also the way you see yourself. There’s something really practical in Eric’s story too. He explains how keeping a record of thanks and specific feedback helped him begin to notice his own value, especially in the moments when he could see that the questions he asked really mattered. If you’re interested in hearing more about what happens behind the masks we wear at work, or in how to start re-learning your own value bit by bit, then this episode is a fascinating listen. Guest Information Erik Johnson is a Chartered Engineer and Group Leader for Instrument Operations at the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). He is responsible for the operation, build, maintenance and upgrade of large-scale scientific instruments and experimental facilities, working across engineering, operations, safety and multidisciplinary technical teams, and leading and communicating with a wide range of technical specialists. Erik's Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-johnson-ceng-3a554179 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-johnson-ceng-3a554179] Source: ISIS Neutron and Muon Source www.isis.stfc.ac.uk [http://www.isis.stfc.ac.uk] UKRI: https://www.ukri.org/ [https://www.ukri.org/]

Imposter Phenomenon - The Researcher's Perspective - with Dr Terri Simpkin

Episode 6 of Work Truths: Off the Record is live, and today I’m joined by Dr Terri Simpkin, an academic and self-described ‘chaos wrangler’! Terri brings a brilliantly fresh perspective to the imposter phenomenon because she doesn’t just research it — she has lived experience of it too. In our conversation, we explore how imposter feelings are shaped by the wider systems around us, not just by what’s happening inside our own heads. That means looking at childhood messages, class, underrepresentation, and the ways social narratives can quietly tell us we simply ‘don’t belong’. One of the things I found most powerful was Terri’s personal story of moving through university and a PhD while carrying the fear that she would be ‘found out’. She also explains why the word syndrome is so misleading, and why calling it a phenomenon matters so much. For the record #NotASyndrome We talk about the cycle she identified through her profound academic research – links between procrastination, perfectionism, overwork, self-doubt, and the exhausting crash that often follows success. And for managers, colleagues and organisations, Terri shares what to look out for when someone keeps discounting their achievements, refuses praise, or seems unable to see their own evidence of success. If you’re interested in how systems, language and lived experience intersect, this episode is a fascinating one. It is packed with useful content. Guest Information Terri has enjoyed a long and international career as a senior academic, business leader, trusted adviser, consultant, and public speaker with over 30 years of experience across higher education, industry, and the not-for-profit sector. She has also led her strategy consultancy, Mischief Insight and Impact, for more than 25 years across Australia and the UK. With a career that is international but grounded in Australia and the UK, she brings expertise in organisational capability development, strategic management, SHRM, leadership evolution, counters to ‘WEIRD’ perspectives and workforce transformation. Her portfolio includes designing leadership programs in STEM, stewarding international academic operations, advising governments on workforce strategy, and speaking internationally on leadership, inclusion, impostor phenomenon, and the future of STEM work (but without the futurist ‘fluff’). Her professional practice centres on cultivating capability in people and systems, and she is often engaged in high-ambiguity contexts where familiar answers and standard interventions have lost traction or failed. Terri’s Website and Social Links: https://www.uptomischief.com.au [https://www.uptomischief.com.au] https://www.linkedin.com/in/terrisimpkin/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/terrisimpkin/] Terri’s Upcoming UK Events: https://heyzine.com/flip-book/52e7142fae.html [https://heyzine.com/flip-book/52e7142fae.html]

Imposter Phenomenon - The Lawyer's Perspective - with Emma Clark

Episode 5 of Work Truths: Off the Record is live, and I’m delighted to be joined once again by Emma Clark, a highly experienced employment lawyer. In this conversation, Emma and I look at where and how the imposter phenomenon shows up in real working life – especially in promotion decisions, performance management, discrimination, and the damage that toxic workplaces can do. Emma brings a sharp legal lens to the subject. We talk about why women, and particularly women of colour, can face extra barriers when confidence is read through biased ideas like ‘executive presence’, how performance improvement plans can become a negative turning point for people already doubting themselves, and why workplace culture can tip normal self-doubt into something much more serious. I was especially interested in Emma’s reflections on the legal consequences for employers. We talk about the role of grievances, the significance of occupational health responses, and the powerful implications of making reasonable adjustments. Emma adds her insight for managers too – notice when someone starts withdrawing, notice with curiosity when someone starts making mistakes, and notice drops in confidence. If you work in HR, lead people, or simply want to understand the workplace impact of imposter phenomenon more clearly, this episode will give you plenty to think about. Guest Information Emma is an employment and partnership lawyer who advises both senior executives and organisations. She has over 22 years’ experience and her expertise spans advisory work, employment litigation and corporate transactions across a variety of sectors. She has been ranked and recognised for the last 4 years by the main legal directories (Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners). The directories include the following comments: Emma Clark is an extraordinary lawyer, the best I’ve worked with. Exceptionally knowledgeable, smart, strategic, pragmatic. She is also incredibly personable, responsive, easy to communicate with. I always felt confident that she was achieving the best possible outcome for me.’’ The Legal 500 2026 “Emma is a heavy weight lawyer at the top of her game. Her knowledge of partnership and board disputes is extensive and her experience and commercial acumen makes her a real force to be reckoned with. You would want Emma in your team. Absolutely no question!” The Legal 500 2025 “She is exceptional, compassionate and has an outstanding knowledge of employment law.”– Chambers UK 2025 “She has a great mix of legal expertise and business acumen with the right touch of assertiveness.”-Chambers UK 2025 Emma’s Website and Social Links: https://keystonelaw.com/lawyers/emma-clark/ [https://keystonelaw.com/lawyers/emma-clark/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmaclarkemploymentlawyer/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmaclarkemploymentlawyer/] Lawcare Organisation: https://lawcare.org.uk/ [https://lawcare.org.uk/]

Imposter Phenomenon - The Therapist's Perspective - with Charlotte Allocca

Series 2 of Work Truths: Off the Record continues with a reflective and truly insightful conversation with Charlotte Allocca, an integrative therapist based in London. Ever wondered what therapists experience behind their closed doors that tell them feelings of being an imposter are present? Well, listen to find out. I was especially interested in speaking with Charlotte because her work focuses on self-doubt, low self-esteem, and the stories people tell themselves about who they are and what they’re capable of. That gives her a very particular lens on imposter feelings – both how it manifests in the therapy room and what she hears about how it manifests in the workplace. We talk about how imposter phenomenon often shows up as a disconnect between what someone is clearly capable of and what they believe about themselves. Charlotte shares what she looks out for with clients, from reassurance-seeking and hyper-vigilance to people minimising their own achievements and moving the goalposts every time they succeed. A big part of our conversation is about where those stories come from. We explore how childhood labels, family narratives, underrepresentation, and experiences of not quite ‘fitting in’ can shape the inner voice people carry into adult life. Charlotte also explains why she sees self-compassion not as a soft option, but as a practical and necessary way of challenging our harsh internal critic when it gets vocal. And for people managers and colleagues? You’ll find out about spotting the signs when someone is masking their struggle, and how to create space that feels safe enough for honest conversation. If you’ve ever felt like you were doing fine on the outside while carrying a much louder story inside, this episode will resonate. What helps most when imposter thoughts show up — reassurance, evidence, or simply being listened to? Listen now to find out. Guest Information Charlotte Allocca is an integrative therapist based in Clapham, and she works a lot with people who struggle with self-doubt, low self-esteem and things like imposter phenomenon. Much of her work is about helping people understand where those internal beliefs about ‘not being enough’ have come from and supporting them to develop a more secure sense of who they are, beyond just what they achieve. Charlotte’s Website and Social Links: www.charlottealloccacounselling.com [http://www.charlottealloccacounselling.com] https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-allocca-625287367/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-allocca-625287367/] Recent Blog Post by Charlotte: https://www.bacp.co.uk/news/news-from-bacp/blogs/2025/blogs-and-vlogs/10-september-imposter-syndrome/ [https://www.bacp.co.uk/news/news-from-bacp/blogs/2025/blogs-and-vlogs/10-september-imposter-syndrome/]