On Venn diagrams of knowledge

I recently had a conversation with someone during which that person indicated an area in which they felt they were lacking knowledge. This sort of introspection is helpful — it’s definitely important to recognize gaps in our knowledge and think about things it would be helpful to learn. (I have an old post on the importance of knowing and recognizing the limits of one’s knowledge). At the same time, sometimes thinking about this sort of thing can leave us beating ourselves up a little for what we don’t know (especially if we think lots of other folks know it).

At some point during that conversation, I drew this:

(If you’d like more poorly drawn cartoons related to imposter syndrome, here’s an old post.)

I think I’ve had conversations along these lines the most related to oral exams. In my department, part of the oral exam focuses on the student’s dissertation proposal, and part spans broad knowledge in ecology and evolutionary biology. One of the things that always strikes me during these exams is how often I have no idea of the answer to a question asked by another committee member. (It’s also striking how often I only know the answer based on having taught intro bio for a long time.) 

I’m far enough along in my career to find this interesting rather than threatening, but earlier in my career this sort of thing definitely triggered imposter syndrome. But, dissertation committees are generally assembled to try to have complementary expertise – the whole point is that not everyone in the room knows the same things! The Venn diagram of expertise of committee members will vary, of course, but it’s often the case that the overlap of all committee members is quite small.

So, spend time thinking about the boundaries of your knowledge and where you want to expand those. But don’t beat yourself up for things other folks know that you don’t.

And, if someone admits they don’t know something, take Randall Munroe’s advice: https://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/ten_thousand.png

Imposter syndrome doesn’t mean you don’t belong. It often means the opposite, that you care deeply about what you do.
I asked my colleagues to join me, because many of the most accomplished, world-leading scientists have felt like “frauds” at times.

The difference? They don't let that feeling define them, and often even learn how to use it to their advantage

Check out this video for a few hard-earned tips from people at the very top

#academia #impostersyndrome #physics @association @DPGPhysik

Was ich erwartet habe: „Sind Sie eigentlich völlig wahnsinnig geworden?! Was soll ich denn mit DEM Mist??? Ich hatte da was ganz anderes erwartet!! Das ist einfach nur billiger Mist. Ich bitte dringendst um zeitnahe Nacharbeitung!!!!“

Was ich bekommen habe: „vielen Dank, alles ist prima so!!“

Und das geht mir selbst nach fast 15 Jahren Selbstständigkeit noch so. Bei *jedem* Projekt, das ich zur Abgabe an Kund*innen sende.

#Hochstaplersyndrom #ImposterSyndrome #Depression #NotJustSad

I clicked outside of the box, and now I don't know if I am human or not!

#CloudFlare #OnlineSecurity #OhTheHumanity #ImposterSyndrome

I gave a #seminar on the #ImposterSyndrome today and this is the key outcome. If you are feeling like a fraud, then you are definitely not alone. These feelings are actually a good sign, because they show that you are growing and learning and challenging yourself to do great research. Talking about it can help a lot!! 😊

#AcademicChatter

Had my monthly 1x1 today with supervisor. Don’t know if I’m being too hard on myself or what. But I exceeded all expectations last month when it feels like I’m getting by by the skin of my teeth.

#adulting #impostersyndrome