AN EXPLORATION OF IMPOSTERISM AMONG BLACK WOMEN IN MANAGEMENT CONSULTING

This dissertation of practice explored how Black women in management consulting experience imposterism. Imposterism refers to a tendency to attribute accomplishments to external variables such as luck, and to feel like an intellectual fake. Early research on imposterism was conducted based on the responses of 150 White women in a higher education setting. This research explores imposterism among Black women in management consulting through the theoretical framework of stereotype threat, belonging uncertainty, and intersectionality in order to understand the experiences of a marginalized group impacted by historic racism and sexism. Thirteen Black women shared their lived experiences with imposterism in management consulting, and their counter narratives were analyzed to surface several findings. Analysis revealed that black women in management consulting experience imposterism. Racially based microaggressions impacted their feelings of imposterism and negative feedback they received served as triggers. Despite these experiences and feelings of imposterism, they chose to remain in the management consulting field. This research adds to the existing literature on imposterism with new considerations and understanding of imposterism among members of marginalized groups.