'Imposter Syndrome' Doesn't Only Plague Women
Ralph Schipani, CEO of Nine West Holdings, had never heard of the "Imposter Syndrome," but after learning what it meant realized he was afflicted too. Schipani has held a number of positions across several industries, including printing, chemicals and food. When he was asked to become the interim CEO of fashion company Nine West, Schipani said that he immediately felt like he didn't have the credibility, experience or wherewithal to pull it off.
"Even after acting as CEO of a $1.8 billion company for three years and proving to people I can do it, I'm still sitting here thinking, 'Are you sure?'" he told the audience. "It's important to identify the fact that men feel that way, too."
What has helped Schipani overcome the feeling of being thought of as an imposter is finding mentors along the way he can confide in about these feelings and who can reassure him that he is doing the things that he thinks he can't. "Those people are one of the main reasons I'm here today," he said.
