Superman, Kryptonite & Imposter Syndrome

In the late 1930s, when Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster were creating Superman, they weren’t just crafting a superhero; they were building a symbol of hope and invincibility during tumultuous times.

But behind the scenes, these two young creators grappled with their own self-doubts and fears. Amid the whirlwind of bringing an icon to life, they experienced what we now recognize as imposter syndrome. In an ingenious move, they decided to infuse their personal struggles into Superman’s narrative.

Enter Kryptonite—a fragment from his own destroyed planet that could weaken the otherwise invincible hero. However, Kryptonite wasn’t merely a plot device but a metaphor for the hidden vulnerabilities and insecurities that even the strongest individuals often carry around within them. Kryptonite's effect on Superman parallels the way many experience imposter syndrome. Despite your accomplishments and strengths, you sometimes carry an inner kryptonite—a fear that you’re not as capable as others believe, that you’ll be “found out” as an imposter.

That somehow you need to be better or are unworthy of the opportunity, the promotion, the stage, the fee, the client, or the accolades fostered upon you. These feelings can make you doubt yourself, even when evidence shows you’re more than qualified.

But here's the good news. If you suffer from imposter syndrome occasionally, or maybe more often, you can rewire your brain to overcome your Kryptonite. 

So, how can we turn your “kryptonite” into a source of strength?

• Acknowledge your feelings: Recognize when self-doubt creeps in. Identify the thoughts and feelings that weaken your self-belief. Naming them is the first step to overcoming them. 
• Understand Its Origin: Reflect on why these feelings arise. Is it past experiences, high personal standards, or something else?
• Talk it out: Tell trusted friends or colleagues about your feelings. Many times, you'll find that they share similar experiences. And believe me, sometimes you'll be surprised when some of your most successful friends tell you they, too, carry around their own Kryptonite.
• Reflect on Your Achievements: Take time to appreciate how far you’ve come and the skills you’ve developed. Write them down in a note on your phone or journal and reread them each time you feel like a fake. 
• Create a Walk-Up Playlist: For non-baseball fans, baseball batters often have walk-up songs that play as they approach the plate. The songs are hype tracks that boost the batter's confidence and energy. The next time you feel like Lex Luthor is staring you down and threatening to "expose" you to the world, pop in the earbuds, crank up the volume, and let that playlist do its job—making you feel like a total unassailable badass. 

Remember, even Superman wasn’t invincible, and that’s what makes his story so compelling. But the only thing that could weaken him was a fragment of his own past. This mirrors the essence of imposter syndrome—when we allow elements from our past, or self-beliefs rooted in it, to render us powerless to seize the opportunities we genuinely deserve that are right before us.

As you finish your week, do yourself a favor. Make a plan for next week where you'll kick a little Lex Luther ass. Go grab that promotion. Close the deal. Or pitch that account you don't think you're big enough to handle. 

P.S. A little secret between friends: I took creative liberty with the backstory of Kryptonite and imposter syndrome. While it’s a metaphor I crafted to illustrate a point, nothing I could find suggests there was any planned symbolism by the creators. Nonetheless, the actual history of Kryptonite is interesting if you're curious. 😊

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