Psychological Barriers to Leadership: Imposter Syndrome among Women

Fuente: Zenodo
Guardado en:
Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Dr. Bijal Shah, Shah Himadri Bhaveshbhai
Formato: Recurso digital
Publicado: Zenodo 2026
Acceso en línea:
Etiquetas: Agregar Etiqueta
Sin Etiquetas, Sea el primero en etiquetar este registro!
_version_ 1866901829977112576
author Dr. Bijal Shah
Shah Himadri Bhaveshbhai
author_facet Dr. Bijal Shah
Shah Himadri Bhaveshbhai
contents <p>Despite significant progress in gender diversity initiatives, women remain underrepresented in leadership positions across academia, business, and industry. Among the less visible yet powerful obstacles to women’s advancement is imposter syndrome, a psychological phenomenon characterized by persistent self-doubt, fear of being exposed as incompetent, and the tendency to attribute success to external factors such as luck rather than ability. This study examines imposter syndrome as a critical psychological barrier that influences women’s leadership aspirations, decision-making confidence, and career progression. The research adopts a mixed-method approach, combining survey data with in-depth interviews to explore the prevalence, causes, and consequences of imposter feelings among women professionals. Key variables analysed include organizational culture, gender stereotypes, mentorship availability, and workplace support systems. The study also investigates how imposter syndrome affects leadership readiness, risktaking behaviour, and job satisfaction. Findings are expected to highlight that imposter syndrome not only reduces women’s willingness to pursue leadership roles but also impacts performance perceptions and career mobility. The paper concludes by recommending organizational interventions such as inclusive leadership development programs, mentorship networks, and psychological support mechanisms to mitigate imposter feelings and foster gender-equitable leadership environments. By addressing internal psychological barriers alongside structural inequalities, the research contributes to a deeper understanding of strategies required to enhance women’s leadership representation and advance gender equality</p>
format Recurso digital
id zenodo_https___doi_org_10_5281_zenodo_19426922
institution Zenodo
language
publishDate 2026
publisher Zenodo
record_format zenodo
spellingShingle Psychological Barriers to Leadership: Imposter Syndrome among Women
Dr. Bijal Shah
Shah Himadri Bhaveshbhai
<p>Despite significant progress in gender diversity initiatives, women remain underrepresented in leadership positions across academia, business, and industry. Among the less visible yet powerful obstacles to women’s advancement is imposter syndrome, a psychological phenomenon characterized by persistent self-doubt, fear of being exposed as incompetent, and the tendency to attribute success to external factors such as luck rather than ability. This study examines imposter syndrome as a critical psychological barrier that influences women’s leadership aspirations, decision-making confidence, and career progression. The research adopts a mixed-method approach, combining survey data with in-depth interviews to explore the prevalence, causes, and consequences of imposter feelings among women professionals. Key variables analysed include organizational culture, gender stereotypes, mentorship availability, and workplace support systems. The study also investigates how imposter syndrome affects leadership readiness, risktaking behaviour, and job satisfaction. Findings are expected to highlight that imposter syndrome not only reduces women’s willingness to pursue leadership roles but also impacts performance perceptions and career mobility. The paper concludes by recommending organizational interventions such as inclusive leadership development programs, mentorship networks, and psychological support mechanisms to mitigate imposter feelings and foster gender-equitable leadership environments. By addressing internal psychological barriers alongside structural inequalities, the research contributes to a deeper understanding of strategies required to enhance women’s leadership representation and advance gender equality</p>
title Psychological Barriers to Leadership: Imposter Syndrome among Women
url https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19426922