Work Truths: Off the Record

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/]

Imposter Phenomenon - The HR Perspective - with Denise McMurray

Episode 3 of Work Truths: Off the Record Series 2 continues with a powerful conversation with Denise McMurray, Chief People Officer at the RSPB. I found this conversation particularly rich as Denise brings both deep professional experience and a very personal understanding of imposter experiences. We talk about what it can feel like to move into a completely new profession, to take a step down in title and salary, and to question whether your previous experience really transfers – even when, to others, it clearly does. We also explore the particular pressures that can come with working in the people profession, where complexity, constant challenge, and high expectations can make self-doubt even louder. Denise speaks openly about how confidence can be chipped away when you’re trying to do the right thing in difficult situations, and why psychological safety and self-compassion matter so much. And if you’re a leader of people? There are some really practical reflections in this episode too as Denise shares why curiosity matters, why rushing to reassure someone can miss the point entirely, and how starting with “what went well?” can create a much better conversation. If you’ve ever felt like you had to earn your place all over again or quietly wondered whether you were really equipped for the role you’re in, I think 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 Denise is Chief People Officer at RSPB and a CIPD Fellow, with over 25 years’ experience across the Public, private and charity sectors, leading strategic HR and Organisational Development functions across complex organisations. She holds Master’s level qualifications in both Human Resource Management, Organisational Design and Development, Executive Coaching and Mentoring and is a qualified mediator, bringing a strong evidence-based, systems-thinking approach to people, culture and organisational performance. Her career has been shaped by deep expertise in and passion for strategic HR, people and organisational development, employee experience culture transformation and large-scale change, with a passion for aligning people strategies, values and behaviours to organisational purpose and long-term outcomes. She has a track record of enabling transformation and change, developing high-performing and inclusive cultures, and strengthening organisational capability to deliver sustainable impact. Denise’s Social Details: https://www.rspb.org.uk [https://www.rspb.org.uk] https://www.linkedin.com/in/🌻denise-mcmurray-chartered-fellow-cipd-454b662a/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/🌻denise-mcmurray-chartered-fellow-cipd-454b662a/]

Imposter Phenomenon - The Academic's Perspective - with Dr Kate Atkin

🎙️ Series 2 of Work Truths: Off the Record continues with a brilliant conversation with Dr Kate Atkin, and this one is full of practical insight, honesty, and plenty to think about. Kate is a speaker, facilitator, author, and researcher who completed her PhD on the imposter phenomenon in 2024, and has literally written the book on the topic. She also speaks from lived experience, which makes our conversation feel especially grounded and human. We talk about why Kate is certain that we must be using the word phenomenon rather than syndrome, and what that change in language says about how we understand imposter feelings. And importantly how it empowers those experiencing it. We also explore the difference between healthy self-doubt and the kind of imposter experience that shows up even when there is clear evidence of success. What stood out most for me was Kate’s insight into what can trigger these feelings – from early parenting messages and social expectations, to workplace culture, perfectionism, procrastination, and the pressure to keep proving yourself. And if you’re wondering how you could help someone experiencing these thoughts and feelings then you’ll be pleased to know we also get into this too. We talk about what doesn’t help, including vague reassurance, and what can make a real difference instead – specific strengths-based feedback, keeping evidence of your wins, and learning to compare yourself with yourself rather than with everyone else. If you have ever downplayed your achievements, held yourself back, wondered whether you are really as capable as other people seem to think you are. This episode is for you! And the icing on the cake? You’ll find out about the power of a Wonderful Me file, and hear how the Muppets can help….! What helps most when imposter thoughts show up — reassurance, evidence, or simply being listened to? Listen now to find out. Guest Information Kate Atkin is an inspirational speaker, training consultant and author. Hailing from a farming background in rural Lincolnshire, Kate had a successful career with Barclays Bank before starting her own learning and development business. Despite failing the 11+ exam and not having a first degree, in 2015 she completed an MSc in Applied Positive Psychology and now has a PhD for her study into the imposter phenomenon, coping strategies and psychological courage in the workplace. Kate is author of The Presentation Workout and The Confident Manager and her third, and most personal book, The Imposter Phenomenon, was published by Pearson in July 2025. Kate's website and book: www.kateatkin.com [http://www.kateatkin.com] https://www.linkedin.com/in/kateatkin/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kateatkin/] https://www.amazon.co.uk/Imposter-Phenomenon-feel-fraud-about/dp/1292469064/ [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Imposter-Phenomenon-feel-fraud-about/dp/1292469064/]