Ask HN: When is going on a power trip, impostor syndrome gone very wrong?
2 comments
I think bullying behaviour as a way to display power is the result of dark triad personality traits and hubris rather than imposter syndrome.
While insecurity can lead to people being bullies, I think people with imposter syndrome (which by the way, I think is a super over-used term made popular by LinkedIn) are actually genuinely full of self-doubt and lack confidence in their abilities - so I think they’re probably less likely to go on a power trip - because they wouldn’t believe they deserved the power they had in the first place. (If my understanding of imposter syndrome is correct).
These are just my thoughts - I could be wrong.
While insecurity can lead to people being bullies, I think people with imposter syndrome (which by the way, I think is a super over-used term made popular by LinkedIn) are actually genuinely full of self-doubt and lack confidence in their abilities - so I think they’re probably less likely to go on a power trip - because they wouldn’t believe they deserved the power they had in the first place. (If my understanding of imposter syndrome is correct).
These are just my thoughts - I could be wrong.
Bullying behavior to display power >>> this is what interviewing at google felt like
Bullying behavior to display power often comes from feelings of inadequacy. Usually feeling that they'll not be well accepted by others. To me that sounds like impostor syndrome albeit a more destructive way of expressing it. Said person feeling inadequate at their job in a position of leadership and power, so they overcompensate by abusing their rights that come with the role and bully/harass others.
In what cases is impostor syndrome involved?
Can most power trip behavior be explained from feeling self-doubt about their power position (while not honestly expressing it)?
I don't know how often accurate it is. However, I haven't seen explanations of power tripping within the context of impostor syndrome.