As today’s guest—imposter complex expert Tanya Geisler—notes, the global self-development industry is worth $41 billion as of 2021. She says, “That is a lot of money invested in making people feel terrible about themselves…and like they need to be fixed. (Think diet industry but for confidence.)”
In this episode, we’re talking about the six ways imposter complex manifests, the ways that trying to eliminate it can paradoxically exacerbate feelings of unworthiness, and even more importantly: the six illuminating values behind imposter-y habits that can help you step into your fullest expression.
More About Tanya: Tanya Geisler is a celebrated women's leadership expert, mentor coach, keynote and TEDx Women speaker, writer, and Ready Enough podcast host. After a successful career in advertising, she entered the world of coaching two decades ago and has worked with thousands of changemakers, innovators, and leaders to dislodge that not-good-enough feeling, perfectionism, procrastination, diminishment, people-pleasing, comparison, and leaky boundaries.

? 3 Key Takeaways



Six ways imposter complex manifests: perfectionism, procrastination, diminishment, people-pleasing, comparison, and leaky boundaries.


The more we spend time in the six habits of impostor syndrome, the more like imposters we feel. When we identify and resolve one imposter-related habit, stay curious, as another related manifestation will often rear up in its place.


Imposter complex arrives on the precipice of expansion: If you’re feeling it, you may be about to experience something new and meaningful. Think of it as a canary in the coal mine for your personal growth.


✅ Try This Next: Get curious about what is underneath your imposter complex: What beautiful value is it revealing? For guidance with this, take the quiz to discover your Iconic Identity.

? Resources Mentioned



Tanya on the web, IG: @tanyageisler, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Pinterest



Free course: Five ICONIC Shifts Leaders Use to Overcome Imposter Complex



Quiz: What’s your ICONIC identity?



Video: Tanya at TEDxIsfieldWomen—Owning Our Authority, The Art of Being Yourself - Caroline McHugh



Coach Training: Co-Active Training Institute



? Articles Mentioned



Tanya: The 12 Lies of the Imposter Complex, What’s the Difference Between Imposter Syndrome and Imposter Complex, The Sin of (Out)Shining, Yes, I Saw the Article in the New Yorker on the Imposter Syndrome re: the February 2023 New Yorker article by Leslie Jamison, Not Fooling Anyone: The dubious rise of imposter syndrome (online title is Why Everyone Feels Like They’re Faking It)


Siri Liv Myhrom (referencing Caroline McHugh) To Be Yourself Completely: The Collective Grief of Losing Prince



Tim Ferriss on 11 Reasons Not to Become Famous



Concept: Tall Poppy Syndrome



? Books Mentioned


The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level by Gay Hendricks

Free Time: Lose the Busywork, Love Your Business

Pivot: The Only Move That Matters Is Your Next One

Life After College


? Related Episodes


Tanya’s podcast: Ready Enough



Free Time: 039: Permission to Glow with Kristoffer (KC) Carter



Pivot: 251: Listener Q&A on (Furry) Imposter Monsters


112: Whose Voice is in Your Head? Perfection Detox Round Two with Petra Kolber

73: What's more important to you than perfection? With Jenny Blake

56: Perfection Detox with Petra Kolber

188: The Pondering Method (for Rebels) with Michael Karsouny

282: The Honor Roll Hangover with Melody Wilding


? Check out full show notes at http://pivotmethod.com/324
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