Publication Launch Webinar blog: rising above imposter syndrome

Resource Developer and panelists for the Publication Launch Webinar, Lee Lockhart, shares his experience on the panel and battle with imposter syndrome in this short blog.

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The Publication Webinar was an amazing opportunity to be surrounded by people who are on the forefront of making systemic change in the sector. It was an hour of being engulfed in beautiful conversation about something I am so deeply passionate about. At the same time, I faced what many young people of colour in the sector know all too well — imposter syndrome.

During the publication webinar, there was a Q&A function to allow people to ask questions to the panellists or The RACE Report team. During this, a participant asked, “How were the panellists chosen?”. This isn’t a call-out to scrutinise that question, rather it is to recognise the feelings of “otherness” it reignited— the feeling of not being in the right space. For young people of colour who often don’t have access to speak on panels, questions like this can feel like a branding — an intense immediate burning feeling that you don’t belong which slowly dissipates with time but leaves a permanent scar. Despite working on The RACE Report team for 8 months, my expertise, and my passion, a single question brought back this rushing feeling of being underqualified. This experience reminded me of something Amira said, how the change is about giving and being willing to allow different communities to hold power and influence to break down walls. This really resonated with me.  This opportunity is not only significant because I got to be in the space with passionate changemakers in the sector but also it is an opportunity to break down barriers, one of those being imposter syndrome. As I look forward to holding the door open for more young people of colour to be involved in the conversation, I hope the sharing of my experience encourages people to push past the painful discomfort of imposter syndrome because on the other side are conversations we deserve to be a part of.

This feeling of imposter syndrome doesn’t exist simply because one question was asked, rather it’s the collection of feelings, it’s the reality of underrepresentation in the data, it’s lived experiences of exclusion, it’s systemic. Imposter syndrome and that feeling of being other in this sector can be a barrier for retention and progression in your career. A highlight from the webinar is the desire to move into taking actions toward addressing issues rather than just more discussion and empty commitments. With only 3% of organisations in 2024 reporting that they have a fully implemented progression plan to support people of colour across the organisation to be retained and or promoted, I want to encourage you to act by starting a conversation about this with your HR team or a manager. Ask if your organisation has a progression plan for people of colour and if they don’t what can be done to change that? Taking it from conversations to action.

Missed the webinar? Watch the recording here: https://www.race-report.uk/news/watch-2024-publication-webinar