Q&A witih Lisa Orbé-Austin and Richard Orbé-Austin

 

 

 

Lisa Orbé-Austin and Richard Orbé-Austin are the authors of the new book Your Child's Greatness: A Parent's Guide to Raising Children Without Impostor Syndrome. Their other books include Your Unstoppable Greatness. They are licensed psychologists and executive coaches.

 

Q: What inspired you to write Your Child’s Greatness?

 

A: As we presented around the US and internationally, the question that would almost always surface. “I think my kid has Impostor Syndrome. What can I do for them?”

 

We thought it might be a good idea to provide a resource for parents, coaches, teachers and any adult who is responsible for the development of children. A guide that not only explains what Impostor Syndrome is but also gives practical strategies to help kids develop confidence, self-awareness, and independence.

 

Your Child’s Greatness is about helping kids see and believe in their own abilities, have a strong sense of self, and the ability to have agency in their lives so they can step into their potential without fear of being “found out” as a fraud. Preventing Impostor Syndrome in the next generation became our goal.

Q: For those who are not completely familiar, can you say more about Impostor Syndrome?

 

A: Impostor Syndrome is that nagging belief that you’re not really as smart, talented, or capable as others think you are—that at any moment, people will “find out” you don’t actually belong.

 

It’s often associated with high-achievers, but there is another side which is the self-sabotage aspect where a child might not be living up to their perceived potential. 

For kids, Impostor Syndrome might look like:

Avoiding challenges because they fear failure.

Downplaying accomplishments and attributing success to luck.

Over-preparing or overworking to compensate for perceived inadequacy.

Comparing themselves to others and feeling like they’ll never measure up.

 

The key is helping children recognize these thoughts and reframe them early, so they don’t carry self-doubt into adulthood.

 

Q: How did the two of you collaborate on this project?

A: Richard and I have been working together since we met over 20 years ago. We both bring different strengths to the table and have different styles of working. Richard is more planful where sometimes, I have to feel more inspired which gets me into trouble sometimes. 

 

A lot of our process involved deep discussions about real-life stories, coaching experiences, and the science behind confidence-building in kids. We wanted to create something that was not just theory but truly useful for parents. The book evolved through a mix of research, writing, and refining strategies that we’ve seen work time and time again in families.

 

Q: What do you hope readers take away from the book?

 

A: First and foremost, we want parents to feel empowered in addressing self-doubt, insecurity, trouble internalizing wins, self- and co-regulation, and struggling with feedback in their children with confidence. 

 

We also want parents to see that they play a huge role in shaping how their kids see themselves. The way we praise, challenge, and encourage our children directly influences their ability to trust their own skills.

Our hope is that Your Child’s Greatness will help families create an environment where confidence and self-belief thrive, so kids don’t just achieve success—they believe that this success came from work that they did – not luck, accident or someone else.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

A: Right now, we’re focused on expanding this conversation beyond the book. That means:

Workshops and coaching programs for parents who want hands-on guidance.

Resources for educators who see Impostor Syndrome in students.

Interactive content to help parents apply these concepts in real time.

 

We’re also exploring new ways to address confidence and resilience in children, especially as they navigate challenges like social media, academic pressure, and personal identity. There’s so much more to uncover, and we’re excited to keep pushing this work forward.

Q: Anything else we should know?

A: Yes—this is not just about kids. We, as adults, experience Impostor Syndrome too. Many parents unknowingly pass their own self-doubt onto their children, simply because they were never taught how to navigate it themselves. That’s why Your Child’s Greatness is as much about helping parents as it is about helping kids.

If there’s one thing we want people to take away, it’s this: Confidence is not something you’re born with—it’s something that’s built. And every child deserves to grow up knowing they are capable, worthy, and enough.

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb