Connecticut Children's Women in Surgery: Episode 1

Imposter syndrome is sporadic rather than chronic, creeping up in specific situations rather than being an overriding constant feeling

Imposter syndrome often appears in new situations, new roles, or new responsibilities when people haven't done the exact thing expected of them before

Imposter syndrome can manifest as a people-pleasing tendency where one tries to do what everyone expects or what everyone else is doing to make everyone happy

Changing jobs to the same role in a new location can trigger imposter syndrome and require rebuilding confidence

Imposter syndrome can create a cycle where fear of being found out drives hard work, but any imperfection feels like it could be one's downfall

Training programs don't allow flexibility for maternity leave and childcare that other people might have

Women in orthopedics represent 6% of the field

Women are expected to handle not only work outside the home but also a large portion of occurrences in the home plus the mental load including scheduling, preparing, and ensuring communication

There is a pervasive feeling among women that they need to care more about others than themselves and are more likely to feel they let people down if not living up to expectations

Women face not only their own expectations but also others' perceptions and expectations of them based on gender and cultural background

Delegation in personal life, particularly hiring good childcare support, can help manage professional demands

Taking inventory of accomplishments and experience can help counter imposter syndrome feelings

Sharing feelings about imposter syndrome with trusted colleagues can be therapeutic and help identify the syndrome

Finding moments of pride and joy to relish them, and learning to be your own cheerleader, helps combat imposter syndrome