The Truth About Impostor Syndrome: An Evidence-Based Solution for Coaches

May 15, 2025 

12:30 - 1:30 pm ET

CCEUs - CC .75, RD .25

This event is co-hosted with ICF NYC's International Coaching Week.

Up to 82% of people — CEOs and entry-level professionals, first year college students and PhDs, artists and programmers — secretly worry they’re not as smart or talented or qualified as other people “think” they are.

It’s called impostor syndrome.

Left unchecked, it can lead to costly consequences not only for individuals but for their organizations as well.

This multifaceted topic has been oversimplified — yet demands a nuanced solution from those we turn to most often: coaches.

In this 60-minute interactive session, you’ll discover:
– what impostor syndrome is – and what it is not
– how impostor syndrome is easily confused with low self-esteem, self-doubt, or other factors that hold clients back
– how to identify impostor syndrome in your clients
– the costs and consequences of impostor syndrome
– the mistakes coaches make that actually harm instead of help your clients progress – and what to do instead

Learning Objectives

• what impostor syndrome is – and what it is not
• how impostor syndrome is easily confused with low self-esteem, self-doubt, or other factors that hold clients back
• how to identify impostor syndrome in your clients… but why you shouldn’t try to DIAGNOSE it
• the costs and consequences of impostor syndrome to your client (and your coaching practice)
• the mistakes coaches make that actually harm instead of help your clients progress – and what to do instead

Please register for the event here:  https://www.icfnycchapter.org/event/the-truth-about-impostor-syndrome-an-evidence-based-solution-for-coaches/

Speaker Bio:

Carolyn Herfurth

Carolyn Herfurth is co-founder and managing partner of Impostor Syndrome Institute, the world’s leading source of impostor syndrome solutions.

As a nationally recognized business growth strategist, speaker and award-winning entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience, Carolyn is uniquely qualified to guide the Institute’s mission to address the (avoidable) impact of impostor syndrome on individuals and organizations.

Carolyn understands that change requires more than a pep talk. She brings a unique ability to inspire her audiences to take real action so they finally feel as bright and capable as they really are.

In addition to presenting to audiences from diverse organizations like Dyson, Bimbo Bakeries USA, Everest Reinsurance, Bridge Industrial, Simon Data, Professional Women in Construction, Arquitectos, and many more, Carolyn oversees the Institute’s training programs for organizations, coaches, and speakers seeking to be an impostor syndrome-informed resource to their employees and/or clients.