Political progressives have been under siege from a tsunami of money and attacks, both legal and political, from the Right for a long time. However, as psychologist and psychoanalyst Dr. Michael Bader argues, they are also often handicapped by internal conflicts about authority, power, and success, conflicts that make up what is typically called the Imposter Syndrome. Afflicted by feelings of fraudulence, progressive leaders and organizers often react by making themselves and their organizations less effective and inspiring than they might otherwise be. Dr. Bader describes a personal change process that can help leaders overcome their discomfort with power and free them up to develop winning political strategies.
“In his book Fear of Winning, Dr. Michael Bader addresses one of the most pernicious and widespread anxieties that leaders of all stripes, shapes, and sizes confront on all too regular a basis: the imposter syndrome. While focusing on leaders in the Progressive movement, Bader’s work will help leaders in all domains understand and come to terms with this potentially derailing phenomenon. Bader’s treatment of the topic is cogent, thorough, accessible and actionable. Bader is clearly passionate about the topic as well as compassionate for leaders who are dealing with its various consequences. His 8-step program for change will prove an invaluable source of help for leaders everywhere in effectively dealing with the imposter syndrome.”
—Michael R. McGrath, Ph.D. Adjunct Professor of Executive Education at the Ross School of Business, University of Michigan.
“Michael Bader is spot-on about the prevalence of the imposter syndrome in progressive leaders. In my thirty-five years of experience as a top leader of a dynamic and progressive labor union, I had occasion to see many examples of what Bader describes among the wide assortment of leaders with whom I closely worked in labor and across the progressive movement.”
—Anna Burger, Co-Chair Gettysburg Project on Civic Engagement, retired Secretary-Treasurer of the Service Employees International Union, Chair of Change to Win
