Date of Award
2026
Degree Name
Business Administration
College
College of Business
Type of Degree
D.B.A.
Document Type
Dissertation
First Advisor
Dr. Kevin Knotts
Second Advisor
Dr. Jeffrey Larson
Third Advisor
Mrs. Marsha Clark Beard
Abstract
First identified by Clance and Imes in 1978, Imposter Phenomenon describes a widespread psychological experience marked by persistent self-doubt, difficulties in accepting personal achievements, and a fear of being exposed as an unqualified "fraud" despite demonstrated competence. For over 45 years, most research on IP has primarily focused on its negative impacts, both personally and professionally, although limited recent studies have highlighted some positive aspects. While IP doesn’t differ amongst groups, most of the research and layman’s content on IP is associated with females. Drawing on empirical data that gender-diverse leadership outperforms homogeneous leadership teams, this research seeks to address the evasive halo cast on females by investigating IP from a fresh perspective. Studying between IP and perfectionism, Intellectual Humility (IH), and informal mentorship, this dissertation aims to measure the impact on leadership effectiveness behaviors as assessed through Implementation Leadership. While maladaptive perfectionism fosters unrealistic expectations and heightened self-criticism, Intellectual Humility enables individuals to recognize their cognitive limitations, promoting receptivity to flexible learning methods and constructive feedback. Informal mentorship refers to natural and unstructured developmental interactions that provide career and psychosocial support, helping individuals transform their attribution of success and failure. The dissertation will provide empirical assessments of three factors: the connection between Imposter Phenomenon (IP) and Intellectual Humility (IH), the relationship between IP and leadership effectiveness behaviors, and the impact of informal mentorship on maladaptive and adaptive cognitive responses to IP, applying the Implementation Leadership construct to business contexts.
Subject(s)
Industrial management.
Impostor phenomenon.
Intellectual life.
Humility.
Leadership.
Businesswomen -- Leadership.
Mentoring.
Businesswomen.
Recommended Citation
Clarke, Christina, "Imposter Phenomenon and leadership effectiveness in female leaders: exploring the roles of Intellectual Humility, perfectionism, and mentorship" (2026). Theses, Dissertations and Capstones. 2028.
https://mds.marshall.edu/etd/2028
