You're listening to TED Talks Daily. I'm your host, Elise Hugh. I know I'm not alone and feeling paralyzed sometimes by my own insecurities and self-doubt. The questions like, am I good enough for this? Am I even suited for it? Or maybe I shouldn't even do my best and I'll underprepare because I'm scared of failing.

All of this is part of imposter syndrome. And in today's episode from Work Life with Adam Grant,

he uses the latest research to help us overcome that kind of thinking. If you like what

you hear, find Work Life wherever you're listening to this.

About a decade ago, I wanted to bring more curiosity to campus outside the classroom.

I decided to start an author series where I'd invite writers to give a talk and answer questions

from students. My students told me it would be much more engaging to see a fireside chat,

that I should interview the authors on stage.

And I balked.

Here's how a former student, Pam Klein, remembers that day.

I remember you saying to me that there's no way I'm going to sit on stage awkwardly,

and that it made you generally uncomfortable to have

everyone watching you do the interview.

I was too insecure. What if I asked dumb questions? Or accidentally offend the author?

What if him trying to be respectful to the author, I bore the audience? What should my hands be doing?

How do I not look like I have resting jerkface?

What if the student newspaper makes fun of me?

Our students pushed back.

And finally I said, well, you host it then.

I ended up volunteering because you were so uncomfortable and it made me uncomfortable,

and I wanted to help you.

I was nervous about being on stage two, but I figured, you know, the stakes were relatively

...