LIMITLESS Leaders Toolkit: Confidence, Resilience & Professional Identity-Imposter Syndrome

Video Transcription

Video Summary

This podcast episode of Limitless Leaders focuses on imposter syndrome among women surgeons, featuring Drs. Aditi Kanth, Victoria Bastien, Ashley Steinberg, and host Dr. Jan Osako. The speakers share personal experiences of feeling like they didn’t belong, from training through independent practice, and discuss how gender bias, perfectionism, socialization, and hostile or unsupportive environments can intensify these feelings.<br /><br />A major theme is that imposter syndrome is not a personal failure. The panel emphasizes that external factors—such as microaggressions, lack of support, and being in male-dominated spaces—often contribute to it. They also note that confidence gaps can start early and that women are often expected to balance competence, warmth, and assertiveness in ways that can be exhausting.<br /><br />The guests stress the importance of mentorship, sponsorship, peer networks, therapy, and organizations like WPS and Limitless Leaders. They encourage trainees to find supportive communities, recognize their credentials and accomplishments, and avoid assuming success is just luck. The discussion also highlights the need for leaders and educators to create safe spaces, avoid penalizing lack of confidence, and help trainees build confidence through small wins and honest feedback.<br /><br />Overall, the episode aims to normalize imposter syndrome, reduce shame, and empower women surgeons to support one another and continue advancing leadership in surgery.

Keywords

imposter syndrome

women surgeons

gender bias

mentorship

microaggressions

perfectionism

leadership in surgery

supportive networks