Exploring the imposter phenomenon among women leaders in the manufacturing sector: insights from South Africa and the United Kingdom

Purpose This study aims to provide an in-depth understanding of the imposter phenomenon (IP), as experienced by women leaders in the manufacturing sector in South Africa (SA) and the United Kingdom (UK). The contextual comparison, together with exploration of experiences of IP throughout women’s career progression, provides a unique focus for gendered experiences of IP as a systemic and evolving concept. Design/methodology/approach This study followed a qualitative research approach, drawing data from in-depth interviews with 20 participants. Findings Using theoretical developments from the original IP study (Clance and Imes, 1978) and Nadal et al. (2021) ecological systems approach to IP, the analysis revealed the interrelated nature of intrapersonal and systemic factors evoking feelings of IP among women leaders in both the SA and UK manufacturing sectors. It highlighted the prevalence of women’s experiences of IP throughout their careers and the likelihood of these experiences persisting into the future. The influence of intersecting social identities was highlighted, with race featuring in the SA sample and motherhood emerging as an identity inducing feelings of IP, particularly in the UK. In both countries, women leaders took individual steps to mitigate the effects of IP by leading authentically while accepting the phenomenon as an uncomfortable reality, because systemic organisational support remains elusive. Originality/value This study offers qualitative evidence of women’s experiences of IP in the male-dominated manufacturing sector, from a cross-country perspective.