The Empress Has No Clothes; Conquering Self-Doubt to Embrace Success

Despite her impressive career, Roche, former CEO of Girls Inc. and the first African-American vice-president of Avon Products, turns out to be an overachiever plagued by self-doubt. She refers to this condition, common to many executives, as impostor syndrome. She shares stories from her own and others' lives (including interviews with BET Networks chairman Debra Lee, and Ed Whitacre, former chairman and CEO of GM) to show that these feelings are not unique and to help readers, especially women and minorities, embrace their successes. She encourages readers to understand their fear, clarify values, and build connections with those who share those values, and to get centered in oneself. While Roche focuses on imposter syndrome in the workplace, her subtle lessons are equally helpful outside the office. She provides a useful Imposter Phenomenon Test that is readily applicable to both work and personal life. Because Roche is so adept at using experience as a model and teaching tool, her advice is a much softer sell, and more convincing and relatable, than that which is provided by experts in most career guides. Readers will find Roche's lessons valuable on both personal and professional fronts. (June)--Publisher's Weekly Joyce M. Roche opens The Empress Has No Clothes with several key questions from Dr. Pauline Rose Clance's Imposter Test, as in Sometimes I'm afraid others will discover how much knowledge or ability I really lack (answer with degrees of not all true to very true). If very true resonates with you, then this is your book.The accomplished Roche weaves her stellar education and accomplishments in the corporate world in this memoir-based book while prefacing the underlying issues so many readers, especially women, experience as they try to move upward in their careers. Issues such as: race, self-doubt, age, Girl in a Man's World, more to prove, and listening to your heart are addressed by Roche as she shares her experience, strength, and hope. Every reader will glean encouragement from the simple, down-to-earth, hard-working tone of The Empress Has No Clothes and begin to take bigger steps forward to embrace the success they deserve.--Allyson Gracie, Wellness Specialist, Pilates & Yoga Instructor, Retailing Insight The impostor syndrome is all too common among highly successful people--and until now a closely guarded secret! Joyce Roche's insights will make success at each stage of our life and career a more joyful experience for those of us--such as me--who have felt this insecurity. --Rick Goings, Chairman and CEO, Tupperware Brands Corporation Whether you are just starting your career or are nearing its pinnacle, this book will do more than help you navigate effectively; it will help you enjoy the journey. --Earl Butch Graves Jr., President and CEO, Black Enterprise This is a book that is so needed by women--especially younger women. [It] offers hope, guidance, and gentle mentorship to all of us who have ever confronted the fear of not measuring up. --Rosina L. Racioppi, President and CEO, Women Unlimited, Inc. Silence and isolation are the hallmarks of the impostor syndrome. Joyce's courage in speaking out will be tremendously helpful to all those who have ever experienced these feelings by letting them know that they are not alone. --Pauline Rose Clance, PhD, psychotherapist who, with Suzanne Imes, PhD, first identified the impostor syndrome