One should approach Is This Seat For Me? by Sheila M. Buswell (a collection of narratives collated by the author, including her own) as a kind of “confessional forum” rather than the academic work suggested by its more formal subtitle: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome in Everyday Life and Business. Indeed, the author is quick to point out the contradictory notions of what Imposter Syndrome is, the most accurate as one’s feeling they are not fully equipped for the task at hand—versus the inappropriate assumption that one is not so equipped and is merely pretending. In this matter, Ms. Buswell fluctuates between well-deserved resentment and empathy for those who share her syndrome, no matter how applied.
The author’s preferential statement regarding value is succinct and profound: “Skill should never be valued over character.” However, the book’s overall tone might equally suggest that gender assessments should never override personal skills. Both conclusions are valid and honorable, and the greatest strength of Is This Seat For Me? lies in the stories told by those who would validate these claims.
“For me, my imposter syndrome came from feeling out of place, not because I was a woman in engineering, but because I was a woman in engineering who didn’t have the behavior or preferences of the average woman.” Sheila Buswell
Two chapters follow these stories, considering solutions to the problem and its causes, internal and external. That is, the syndrome may be psychological, but the occupational environment undoubtedly exacerbates it—it is not solely an academic concern. Therefore, the book is suitable as a confessional forum for us all.
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