In a keynote speech that delved into her insecurities and experiences with impostor syndrome, the High Court of Australia’s Justice Jacqueline Gleeson encouraged leaders of the profession to model vulnerability for those who look up to them.

“When we hide our vulnerabilities, we give the impression that we are invulnerable. In turn, junior practitioners wrestling with self-doubt may think they are the only ones in that situation,” Gleeson J said.

“When senior members of the profession are unwilling or unable to acknowledge self-doubt, they are poorly placed to nurture colleagues who experience impostor syndrome or other forms of self-doubt.”

Speaking at the 2024 Minds Count Lecture, Her Honour said impostor syndrome has remained a “taboo” subject within the Australian legal profession, stretching back to lessons she learnt growing up that “weakness is to be hidden and contemptible”.

This culture extends to an admiration of strength and invincibility but demonstrates impatience when a weakness is exposed, Gleeson J added.

“Although there’s more and more recognition of the values of authenticity and vulnerability, many in positions of power are clothed in psychological suits of armour,” Justice Gleeson said.

“Among many other reasons, people in positions of seniority, like judges, typically have a strong sense of responsibility to their institution and to their judicial oath or affirmation, which may be a powerful reason for concealing any sense of weakness.”

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When such individuals who are treated as role models choose to suppress deep feelings of inadequacy “and impose the harsh standards that they set of themselves on others”, Gleeson J said, this would lead to harmful behaviours and attitudes.

“These thoughts led me to the conclusion that it’s worthwhile to expose the problem of negative self-talk for discussion.

“My reasons are to firstly encourage lawyers to reflect on whether their own thoughts are psychologically painful or even harmful, and so very much worth addressing. Secondly, to demonstrate this is not an experience unique to young or early-career lawyers,” Her Honour said.

“And thirdly, to suggest that this is a problem that can be diminished by exposure to the light of day.”

On the methods that have helped her overcome self-doubt, Justice Gleeson said she tries not to “take myself too seriously”, exercises, treats herself kindly, meditates, and attends counselling sessions.

“I do believe that it’s very hard to go through childhood and adolescence, even in a privileged sector of a privileged community, without experiences that predispose us to behaving in ways that can cause harm to others and ourselves,” Her Honour said.

“I doubt that there is anyone who would not benefit from taking a good hard look at themselves, and the people around them are very likely to benefit as well.”

Note: The editor of Lawyers Weekly is a board director for the Minds Count Foundation.