Imposter Syndrome | Mike Cannon-Brookes | TEDxSydney

Mike Cannon-Brookes, co-founder of software company Atlassian, is an Australian business success story. In this surprisingly personal talk, he reveals how he constantly feels like an imposter, but how he’s learned to harness those feelings for his benefit.
Mike Cannon-Brookes is the co-founder and co-CEO of Atlassian, a collaboration software company that helps teams organise, discuss and complete shared work. More than 68,000 organisations - including some of the biggest names in media, manufacturing and technology such as eBay, Twitter, Coca-Cola, Visa, BMW and NASA - use Atlassian’s products to work smarter, faster and be more agile.
Mike has received international recognition for his work, including the “Australian IT Professional of the Year” award in 2004, “Australian Entrepreneur Of The Year” in 2006 and “Australian Business Person of the Year” in 2017. He’s also been honored by the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader in 2009 and is currently a member of The Forum of Young Global Leaders.
Outside Atlassian, Mike is an active angel investor and a non-executive director of Tyro, a technology-focused Australian bank. He serves as an adjunct professor at the University of New South Wales’ School of Computer Science and Engineering, as well as chair of the Computer Science and Engineering Industry Advisory Board.
Mike holds a Bachelor of Commerce in information systems from the University of New South Wales, Australia.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@themalmana]

The smarter you are the more you know what you don’t know.

[@martinrusinak4991]

Wazzup !everbody

[@ericdaniel323]

When you finally accept that you know nothing, you get a Ph.D.

[@alexcoli]

@@ericdaniel323 what is good is bad what is bad is good?

[@Nikelaos_Khristianos]

That's the Dunning-Kreuger Effect. ALOT of students in very high education degrees, in particularly specialists suffer from it ALOT.

[@somebody9633]

My father said once "don't let your education get in the way of your learning" ...wise man my was.

[@billpiechocki]

I admire his humility.

[@RaferJeffersonIII]

What humility? He’s just bragging about how successful he is and how hot his wife is. This is literally absolutely no use to anyone except multi millionaires like him.

[@chiya7]

Thank you, a real person speaking in real language for real people out there. It's a real feeling.

[@throwaway-lo4zw]

For real bro

[@TheElectricHoneybee]

Thank you for this video. I have had this discussion with my professor, and I thought that I was just being lazy or not trying hard enough, until my professor told me that she had felt the same way going to college. I think once we have gotten to the point where we no longer depend on our parents or those in our circle for encouragement, when we try to find that level of strength in ourselves, that's when we begin to doubt our abilities as competent capable humans. It's going to take time, and much prayer, but I will try to stop feeling this way. Or at least work on controlling it and making this feeling work for me instead of against me.

[@julian_b]

Speaking as someone who regularly experiences this, I understand every word. The big irony is that the audience found such a serious subject so hilarious. It’s a natural coping strategy to try to lighten up a serious subject but he wasn’t actually making jokes.

[@iamdrommer]

It's like no matter how much we accomplish or people praise we just dont feel like we did anything remarkable

[@WickdPerfekT]

@@iamdrommer well look at the root of the word remarkable... To remark on something isn't up to us, it's up to our audience lol.

[@movinglines]

It's that uncomfortable laugh of recognition.

[@sophiejones7727]

or were they laughing, because they knew exactly how he felt? As in "oh haha, dude I've been there."

[@cristinalacoste2062]

Who knew? I'm retired now, but I felt like an imposter with every success I had in my career. I guess no one ever feels smart enough. Maybe that's what makes us keep striving to be better. Maybe that's why sometimes, we succeed.

[@gammaraygem]

finally a Tedtalk i actually saw to the end...not bad for an imposter...

[@TheLinposterIsSus]

d-did you say...IMPOSTER

[@jancioek324]

That is a great talk, it is just as listening to some good friend,no beating around the bush.

[@brunolevi2661]

Relatable - it’s great to see someone with such a high success level sharing something like this

[@yahya_elharony]

I've been always feeling this, and I thought the same thing that: "Nobody has those feeling, just me!" Before getting accepting in something, I feel like... You know, there are many others who are going to be selected, and even when I got selected, I keep saying to myself that I won't get to the finish line, ... etc. It happens also when I did an achievement, I feel like, it is a fraud and somebody will criticize it... Honestly, even if it was true, that won't make any difference and won't affect me or my career! Thanks for sharing this video! 😊

[@7daysinSunnyJune]

What an incredible talk! Needed some inspiration today to talk myself into realizing that everyone feels like a fraud sometimes. Just make sure not to freeze!

[@bohershey4684]

This is one of my favorite TED talks

[@Sudoakado]

Mike has the best traits, integrity, passion and honesty it will get you further and you will regret less.

[@trinawitte8625]

Without a doubt, one of the best TEDx Talks I’ve ever listened to!!! Thank you Mike Cannon-Brookes for keeping it real 🤗

[@leanykakicsi6152]

I think this was far the best TED video I have watched about Imposter Syndrome.

[@thedigitalemotion]

The best TED talk, completely helps my own feelings out. Thank you!

[@happenconsulting3894]

What a fantastic talk. I teared up a little at the realisation that there are incredibly successful people who feel exactly the same as I do

[@RFW1979]

I certainly suffer with this and my coach said your video is worth watching and I have to say it is reassuring knowing I'm not alone. Thank you for being open and honest..

[@ferlyntaho9289]

Insight and self-awareness is beautiful.

[@MissEugeniaS]

That's literally the best talk on imposter syndrome I've heard. Thank you 🙌🏻

[@toniepaiva]

That’s an awesome speech mate !! Awareness is the first step and probably the only step needed. The rest will be taken care by nature !!

[@michaelpound9608]

absolutely brilliant talk , entertaining , funny but also deals with the issue. Harness it is such a good way to talk about it !!

[@missdragon5892]

Writing - specifically creative writing - does this to me allllll the time.

[@julianarueda7742]

I this that creatives experience this all the time, I'm an illustrator and graphic designer an I always feel like this

[@stephenberry1205]

Exceptional inspiration with a deep humanity. Thank you Mike & TEDxSydney

[@unnatipatel1808]

Brilliant, humurous and relatable talk. Thank you

[@hannahnymous]

Thanks a lot for the talk! I learned more about myself.

[@lalexander1144]

Needed this today! What an amazing talk.

[@sofiabeatriz8881]

thank you for this

[@100thombu]

Finally a feeling i have had since forever n i know what it is!!

[@poerava]

Brilliant talk. Thank you

[@atlassiancommunityinsaint-1753]

Thanks for that talk!

[@Ducky_logan]

I really like this guy

[@Ciiphernought]

Phenomenal talk :)

[@tmanwaring100]

One of my favourite Ted Talks

[@33percent-33]

Thank you very much . Seriously thank you 🙏

[@KateLate____]

Mike and I studied similar degrees, at a similar times, both in NSW universities. I use his software every day in my job. I'd never heard his name until I watched this talk, and never knew what he was like. Of course I knew about Atlassian, and that someone it was Australian, despite being key in silicon Valley.

[@N0Xa880iUL]

Great story!

[@tonyatran1033]

One of the best Ted talks!

[@markopfann]

Thanks, that helped!

[@higherpurpose1212]

My favorite Ted talk

[@NeilAcquatella]

Excellent Talk!

[@CEEVM]

Super interesting Ted Talk ! Yes I’ve felt imposter syndrome. Great to see its way more common than I thought lol.

[@mikeli1234]

Inspirational!

[@JaeyTarg]

Impostor syndrome is actually good. You only go through this life once. So who is actually so experienced to know everything.

[@victoriavox]

Perfect!

[@Maya_Ruinz]

Love this guy, love the talk and oh boy do I suffer from this. Awesome video

[@eltwarg6388]

... and even the software they produce is great!

[@husamakhras9373]

New good ideas . I’m glad I watched this video

[@wandaacat]

Interesting Mick worked with a partner to build his business, I have often wondered if this is one of the important things that help one learn to move through rather than freezing in imposter syndrome... When you work with someone they are there to pull you through the times when by yourself you might have frozen and you pull them through when they are experiencing it... His simple piece of advice: 'do not freeze' is something I wish I had known a long time ago.

[@thefresher12]

Nice. That's what I do. Freeze and take weeks to do something simple.

[@sumatinatarajan215]

It is great to know even successful people who strive hard feel out of depth

[@leeanneNZ]

bravo....best talk on imposter syndrome on you tube!

[@pauliewalnuts6734]

that was amazing

[@simpson6700]

i feel like this all the time when i'm programming.

[@FelipeSantos-tc7sh]

great talk

[@pyramydseven]

There is never only one way to accomplish most goals.

[@necforce]

mmhhhh, delicious.

[@carbon1479]

I think this is the sort of feeling that long-term dedicated Dunning-Kruger is meant to abate - which makes me realize imposter syndrome is a good thing, ie. something like it's opposite in that you can feel the weight of people expecting you to know everything.

[@gowherrauf1476]

Imposter syndrome: Down deep , we all are not us! Mikes casual way of summarising it intellectually, speaks of his abilities and results. I guess- Humility is the key??

[@elainelegaspina4765]

I LOVE THIS

[@joygirl-wc4gj]

I love you too

[@ricardoOliva88]

What a great talk!

[@oscarzarategmailcom]

The difference from "being an impostor" to "felling the syndrome" is the result? If you earn a lot of money in the way of "doing your stuff", you can "fell the syndrome"? Soooo many people are able to talk about this (or any other) subject, but they don't have the opportunity. Mike does. Lucky him (and I have nothing against Mike, I prefer him a lot more than Scott, I just started researching about him because of his intention of stopping the demerge of AGL, that I have nothing for or against). On a different topic, I love Mike idea of "flipping the table" on Australia's issues. He could stay home and enjoy his billions. I'm just going to go for a long walk and think about this talk, Mike and AGL. Thanks Mike for making me think!

[@Sajtlik]

This guy is truly amazing!

[@fatguineapig9536]

Wow! Peter McKinnon finally did a Ted talk!

[@chukakaelo2275]

Ben affleck has a point

[@victorious_amos]

🤣

[@bmg2507]

I may be like this. High evaluative skills and academic but I doubt my ability and knowledge so much I stall in anxiety at times.

[@pembatamang8233]

Hope you have gotten over it by now.

[@user-tl2mz8xl2n]

Exactly.

[@dontlookatmyusername]

Fake it till you make it

[@mulliganstew72]

JFLL If you believe in yourself and believe in you. People are simple simple creatures.

[@lockuplex]

I saw red vented he must be the imposter

[@malcilraeure7150]

Fake it till you make it and fake it while you’re making it. This is totally the epitome of me. But it stems from having to always be strong and figuring out life from child hood till now

[@raffyleal]

History of my life.

[@DOC7ORT]

Just keep the conversation going...

[@wildlyrebellious]

I get anxious when I would think that people will think I'm not good enough for my job and would just abandon being with me. Like I get anxious they won't hand me a responsibility just because I'm not competent enough for the job that's why I'm so afraid of going out to work.

[@TheLinposterIsSus]

Dang that’s kinda sussy. You should vote them out the job 😂 😂. Call an emergency meeting? YEEEES

[@blagoevski336]

Kill them and blame another person 🤣😂🤣😂

[@marklowe7431]

Bloody good software. Enables startups to run smart and scale.

[@theultimatereductionist7592]

I've overcome this problem by never having a job, just living off my inheritance very very cheaply. :)

[@amateruss]

I see you want to live your life dangerously.

[@DanteGous]

Scott, the number of people that watched this Imposter talk 114 297 at the time I left this message will soon change to 11 Million after we make all of those imposters able to thank you for leading the way!

[@Nikelaos_Khristianos]

I fear that man with the clipboard every single day. Glad I'm not the only one.... It's why I live on the top floor!

[@paulflute]

Brilliant.. At last I've got a syndrome.. I've wanted a syndrome for ages now.. but this one I definitely have... or do I..?

[@ngatruong5710]

How do others see the value and the potential in you when you’re too busy doubting yourself to see your worth? How do you Acknowledge your achievements and your efforts?

[@yeebb]

“Try not to freeze. Try to learn.”

[@miltongodinho6329]

Very intesting and honest.

[@edwardchuang4224]

Very sus!

[@blagoevski336]

Sus

[@purplemonkeysroblox9893]

There is 1 imposter among us

[@thisisahumanlol8255]

DING DING DING DING

[@thisisahumanlol8255]

AMOGUS REFERENCE2?2?1!!1!1!2! 😳😳😳😳😳😳😳😳

[@good123g]

real person

[@andreasakesson2171]

uh the big problem for sure is not to freeze .

[@respectfullydisagree711]

Except on a line drive... Baserunners must ALWAYS freeze on a line drive. 😂 ⚾️💪🏼

[@mulliganstew72]

My friend Kara sat thru a tedious corporate All Hands meeting & unbeknownst to her, won the “employee of the year” award!! They called her name in a huge auditorium full of people .... & She was in the bathroom bs’ing. Well, Ain’t that the way it goes??!!

[@jn6711]

This guy is a genius haha

[@tinytimtam]

Dont think it, don't think it....

[@professorm4096]

: )

[@RizB0T]

spitting image of Jay Baruchel no?

[@tyc00n]

I saw this guy in the first tesla I have seen (in Australia) next to central park and it was one of the greatest days of my life. Sorry for downloading a pirated version of confluence and trying to use it to organize ideas in science class when I was 15 or something, didn't work anyway as I was definitely the least popular kid in school with 2 version of software ahead of everyone else.

[@matthewcooper9136]

don't question your self, question your ideas... I struggle with the first part... but why?

[@elainelegaspina4765]

GOD URE BRILLIANT

[@joygirl-wc4gj]

You too queen

[@blagoevski336]

Sussy

[@who-man8791]

Ok I completely missed the point of this talk so was that the point

[@JP51ism]

This speaker is genuine but near the end he projects re: others; there's more likelihood the opposite is true: execs over-estimating themselves, The Dunning-Kruger Effect.

[@heathercush5096]

call this experience of human life syndrome indicates its something negative. and its not. its very common and doest necessarily lead to negativity either. these days psychology/ mental health is based on assuming that everything but happiness or success is bad. so idiotic.and so many people desperately looking for excuses.

[@MrAnperm]

Good talk, but fix that swayback posture, mate. You’ll feel better.

[@elijahsydney]

yeah, if he was the real deal he definitely wouldn't have that swayback posture. They guy is definitely and imposter, lol.

[@energyboat4682]

@@cyffrowy2882 lol

[@jayjoshi8583]

Who else has come here from Shane Watson's tweet????

[@Luzua]

12:13 Just a Timestamp For Myself

[@broosewee]

This is me... I think.

[@robbphillips2845]

MCB could try paying tax in Australia.

[@InnerEagle]

From an imposter to husband...is a clap of fingers

[@Ful-OGold]

I think it’s important not to let a job title go to your head. Rather have enough common sense to try work out what needs to be done in a sensible way.

[@sumtingwong8768]

oh ya thats me everytime i wake up on less than 7 hours of sleep, i feel like a alien trapped in a human body

[@dansolo360]

We need people to speak about imposter syndrome who aren't geniuses who keep winning international awards. We need the small guy with tiny wins. This is no longer helpful.