HCMx Radio 59: Understanding the Imposter Syndrome Among Leaders

shutterstock_597973835Guests: Dr. Larry Cash, Founder and Creator, SuccessFinder

Susan Van Klink, General Manager and Senior Vice President, SuccessFinder

Host: Rachel Cooke, Chief Operating Officer, Brandon Hall Group

In this episode, Dr. Larry Cash and Susan Van Klink of SuccessFinder shared results of their recent research on the analysis of the CEO, called, “Mission Imposter.” The company studied and analyzed 200 male and female CEOs to measure significant differences in the behaviors they use to run leading businesses across North America. Our discussion led to some revealing outcomes related to why female corporate leadership has not significantly increased over the past decade. The research revealed that even women who make it to the top and are successful often exhibit inferiority behaviors, lacking in self-confidence and insecurity.

The study looked at these traits in leaders:

  • Intellect
  • Stamina
  • Innovation
  • Decision-making

Results showed that women surpassed men by 10% in intelligence, but underperformed men by 10-15% self-confidence – self-smarts.  Dr. Cash refers to what is known as “the imposter syndrome” since the 1970s—where women don’t feel they are truly worthy of, or ready for, a role.

Cash and Van Klink discussed how the research can be useful in understanding reasons that impair women’s abilities to move ahead faster in the business world.  Knowing what these behaviors are and how they can be altered can be instrumental in shaping the future of women leaders.

Van Klink will be part of a panel at Brandon Hall Group’s Women in Leadership Summit, where she will highlight the research we discussed in the podcast.

Held June 15-16 in South Florida, the summit offers female corporate leaders a community experience designed to enhance skills and share ideas. The goal is to share best practices for creating inclusive environments to improve personal and organizational performance. Our research has validated the need to offer targeted development opportunities for women to grow and achieve their potential personally and professionally, and to address the unique internal and external obstacles they face. Click here for presenters and agenda.

To learn more about SuccessFinder’s “Mission Imposter” research or solutions for building up the potential of women executives, go to www.successfinder.com

To listen to our interview, you can download the podcast anytime at the HCMx Radio site.

Rachel Cooke, Chief Operating Officer, Brandon Hall Group @RachelCCooke

 

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Mike Cooke

Chief Executive Officer of Brandon Hall Group Mike Cooke Prior to joining Brandon Hall Group, Mike Cooke was the Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of AC Growth. Mike held leadership and executive positions for the majority of his career, at which he was responsible for steering sales and marketing teams to drive results and profitability. His background includes more than 15 years of experience in sales, marketing, management, and operations in the research, consulting, software and technology industries. Mike has extensive experience in sales, marketing and management having worked for several early high-growth emerging businesses and has implemented technology systems to support various critical sales, finance, marketing and client service functions. He is especially skilled in organizing the sales and service strategy to fully support a company’s growth strategy. The concept of growth was an absolute to Mike and a motivator in starting AC Growth, in order to help organizations achieve research driven results. Most recently, Mike was the VP and General Manager of Field Operations at Bersin & Associates, a global analyst and consulting services firm focused on all areas of enterprise learning, talent management and talent acquisition. Tasked with leading the company’s global expansion, Mike led all sales operations worldwide. During Mike’s tenure, the company has grown into a multi-national firm, conducting business in over 45 countries with over 4,500 multi-national organizations. Mike started his career at MicroVideo Learning Systems in 1992, eventually holding a senior management position and leading all corporate sales before founding Dynamic Minds. Mike was CEO and Co-Founder of Dynamic Minds, a custom developer of software programs, working with clients like Goldman Sachs, Prentice Hall, McGraw Hill and Merrill Lynch. Also, Mike worked for Oddcast, a leading provider of customer experience and marketing solutions, where he held a senior management position leading the company into new markets across various industries. Mike also serves on the Advisory Board for Carbon Solutions America, an independent sustainability consulting and carbon management firm that specializes in the design and implementation of greenhouse reduction and sustainability plans as well as managing the generation of carbon and renewal energy and energy efficiency credits. Mike attended University of Phoenix, studying Business Administration and Finance. He has also completed executive training at the Chicago Graduate School of Business in Chicago, IL.