Meet Dr. Linda F. Williams, DSW

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dr. Linda F. Williams, DSW a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Dr. Linda F., first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
I overcome imposter syndrome by looking at it as a smoke screen that isn’t real unless I believe it’s lies. Think about it. Smoke is so non-resistant. If you run your hands through it, it doesn’t push back. If you walk through it, there is no resistance. It’s “that man behind the curtain” kicking up a fuss and sounding ominous. Pull back the curtains, and you get more smoke screen. I used the word “overcome” instead of “overcame” because every time it creeps in, you have to overcome it again.

THE SECRET OF THE CINDERELLA DYNAMIC

Here’s one thing to remember when conquering imposter syndrome. In the 1812 Grimms Brothers version of Cinderella, aside from being forced to wear sackcloth, she also had to wear wooden shoes . . . for years! Her feet couldn’t grow and became deformed. In fact, when the Prince asks if anyone else can try on the golden shoe, they call her “deformed,” insisting it couldn’t possibly be her shoe. At the prince’s insistence, they let Cinderella out of the locked room; she came downstairs, slipped her foot out of those wooden shoes, and stepped into her destiny.

But why did that slipper fit only her? There were many women in the kingdom who could fit the same size shoe, right? But none of them fit the golden shoe. Because Cinderella’s feet were deformed, she was the only grown woman in the kingdom who could fit what must have been a child-sized shoe. What was meant for her pain and destruction became the very thing that made her so unique that nobody else could usurp her destiny. Not even the two stepsisters who were directed by their mother to maim themselves to fit the shoe. One cut off a toe. The other cut off her heel. Maimed for life trying to step into someone else’s shoes.

At the core of imposter syndrome is the temptation to compare ourselves to others whom we perceive to be “better than” we believe we are. That’s disempowering straight out of the gate. Maya Angelou, Michelle Obama, Albert Einstein, Tom Hanks, Lady Gaga, and Sonia Sotomayor all admit to imposter syndrome challenges. The only difference between you and these people is that they felt the fear and did it anyway!

If we remember that our life experiences make us so unique in our perspectives and resilience that nobody else we keep comparing ourselves to could reach the people only we can reach, we would start proudly owning our stories, including the pain we endured. By owning that pain, embracing the lessons learned, and honoring how that has empowered our giftings and perspectives, we’d courageously walk through imposter syndrome’s smoke screen and own our place in the world.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Everything I ever accomplished was in the middle of personal chaos. Stuffing trauma from domestic violence, sexual assault, and divorce nearly destroyed my life and career. After decades of abusive and toxic relationships, stifled professional growth, and financial devastation, I was forced to face the dysfunction that ruled my life. During the seven years of writing the book, “Whose Apple is it, Anyway,” I began to heal deep-seated wounds. I learned what it takes to thrive after surviving abuse and trauma. I couldn’t rewind and undo the pain I endured. So, I decided I’d take revenge on it by making it count for something. I flipped pain’s script into vision and purpose. Now, I take survivors of abuse and trauma from pain to purpose so that they take back their power, tap into the truth of who they are, and live their best lives now!

I founded Whose Apple Dynamic Coaching and Consulting Services from the book. I am also a cultural transformation consultant who facilitates trauma-resilient and trauma-informed organizations through coaching, consulting, and speaking. My lived experience, advanced clinical background, and leadership experience give me a unique ability to address trauma resilience from individual and organizational perspectives. I equip leaders and teams with tools that empower individual change, resulting in real and sustainable outcomes for personal well-being and organizational productivity.​​​

WHAT I’M WORKING ON

I just finished my presentation on imposter syndrome. In “Cinderella Gives Up Her Secrets: Conquering Imposter Syndrome,” we examine how the Grimms Brothers’ version reveals the lost secrets of the Cinderella story. The story dates back to 7 BC. But regardless of the century or the culture, three consistent themes remain in all versions: oppression, abuse, and shoes. I’ll be developing this into a multi-day workshop and seminar. I’m looking forward to it.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
My three most important qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge are 1) my lived experience, 2) my advanced clinical training, and 3) my core values.

1. Being honest with myself about myself is job two. You can only be as honest with others as you are with yourself. So, I have to do the work. It never ends.

2. Heart-centered leadership means that In every interaction, internal or external, listening from the heart will always serve you well.

3. I started seeing authenticity as a Superpower. I took my sister’s advice and leaned into my authentic self. That took a lot of healing, and I am still fighting resistance in this area.

My advice to others is not to compare themselves to others and never accept someone else’s trying to boilerplate their lives into a roadmap for you to follow. It’s a recipe for disappointment and disempowerment. Just embrace your story, tell it without shame, and stand your ground where your personal values are concerned. It will never steer you wrong.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
I just returned to my business after a year of fighting colorectal cancer. I had to put everything on hold because of 4 major surgeries in less than seven months. After finishing treatment in February, it took time to get back into the swing of creating content for my YouTube channel, updating two different websites, and doing market research. I’m still in a whirlwind of post-treatment tests and doctor appointments. My energy levels fluctuate. But I’m slowly getting there.

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Dr. Linda F. Williams, DSW

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