Valerie Young

An internationally known speaker on impostor syndrome, Dr. Valerie Young has devoted her career to understanding women’s most deeply held beliefs about themselves and their success. In her decades of in-the-trenches research, she has uncovered the often surprising reasons why so many accomplished women experience this crushing self-doubt. A former manager of strategic marketing at a Fortune 200 company herself, Dr. Valerie Young has shared her highly relatable and practical advice to tens of thousands of executives, managers, and professionals in the United States, Canada, and Europe. +

"It’s only because they like me. I was in the right place at the right time. I just work harder than the others. I don’t deserve this. It’s just a matter of time before I am found out. Someone must have made a terrible mistake."
 
If you are a working woman, chances are this internal monologue sounds all too familiar. And you’re not alone. From the high-achieving Ph.D. candidate convinced she’s only been admitted to the program because of a clerical error to the senior executive who worries others will find out she’s in way over her head, a shocking number of accomplished women in all ca­reer paths and at every level feel as though they are faking it—impostors in their own lives and careers.
 
While the impostor syndrome is not unique to women, women are more apt to agonize over tiny mistakes, see even constructive criticism as evi­dence of their shortcomings, and chalk up their accomplishments to luck rather than skill. They often unconsciously overcompensate with crippling perfec­tionism, overpreparation, maintaining a lower pro­file, withholding their talents and opinions, or never finishing important projects. When they do succeed, they think, Phew, I fooled ’em again.

Valerie Young gives these women the solution they have been seek­ing. Combining insightful analysis with effective ad­vice and anecdotes, she explains what the impostor syndrome is, why fraud fears are more common in women, and how you can recognize the way it mani­fests in your life. With her empowering keynotes & workshops, you will learn to take ownership of your success, overcome self-doubt, and banish the thought patterns that undermine your ability to feel — and act — as bright and capable as others already know you are.

Her career-related tips have been cited in these and other publications around the world. In addition Valerie has been interviewed on countless national and local radio programs in the US and Canada and on WPIX Channel 11 in New York.[more]

Impostor feelings are pervasive in higher education. Little wonder that Valerie has spoken to tens of thousands of students, faculty, and staff at over 70 major colleges and universities, Valerie’s insight and humor have made her a popular keynote and guest speaker at numerous conferences and association meetings.   --

Dr. Valerie Young's Speaking Presentations:

Signature Presentation

How to Feel as Bright and Capable as They Think You Are

This presentation can be tailored to fit virtually any time slot from a dynamic keynote presentatation up to 90 minutes or a two, or three-hour interactive workshop..

Key Take Aways:

• What is the Impostor Syndrome and how does it work;
• Creative ways impostors explain away their success;
• 7 perfectly good reasons why smart people feel like frauds;
• How your personal competence rulebook may be setting you (or your employees) up to fall short;
• Procrastination, perfectionism and other unconscious coping strategies “impostors” use to avoid being found out and the price they – and their organizations – pay for that protection;
• 5 important reasons why women are both more susceptible to and held back by impostor feelings;
• Practical steps to help yourself, your employees, or your college-age/bound children to interrupt the Impostor Syndrome and end needless self-doubt.

Dr. Valerie Young is represented by K&M Productions. To inquire about Dr. Valerie Young's speaking schedule, fees & booking Dr. Valerie Young, contact us.