Two weeks into a new job, my boss voluntold me that I would be speaking before our City Council to ask for increased funding. I looked at him and all I could think of (and maybe even said out loud) was, “Who me?!” I could barely work the copier and still didn’t know which parking spot was mine, but he wanted me to do something I had never done before and put the fate of our organization in my shaky voice and hands? I felt completely out of my element, unqualified and was sure I would fail. In short, I felt like an impostor.
Impostor syndrome is a common, psychological occurrence in which people doubt themselves and feel like a fraud. It happens in all fields to people of all backgrounds, yet we generally treat it as something shameful and entirely unique to our own situation. When we do talk about it, we are glibly advised to fake it until we make it rather than admit we are experiencing what is a normal and expected thing to feel. As everyone does their best to fake it, most continue to struggle with feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt.
A persistent lack of belief in yourself and your ability can most certainly be damaging to your psyche and your professional growth. But a healthy dose of Impostor Syndrome should be expected and can actually be a benefit to you. There is no reason we should feel confident and competent in something we are just learning how to do (though it is important to feel confident in our ability to get there). Impostor Syndrome reminds us that there is necessary growth ahead of us. In order to combat the negative effects of Impostor Syndrome, we simply need to understand that it is normal, that it is telling us something useful and that we can use it to our own benefit. Here’s how:
IMPOSTOR SYNDROME SIGNIFIES GROWTH
We often feel unqualified and uncomfortable when we are trying something new. In this case, Impostor Syndrome is a signal to us that we are out of our respective comfort zones and in a state of growth. This is, undoubtedly, a good thing. If you never experience this feeling but instead are always confident that you are 100% on top of everything you do, chances are, you are not pushing yourself to try something new. It could also mean you are grossly overestimating your competence level. The awkward, beginning stages of growth are expectantly uncomfortable until we become more competent. When we start to get comfortable in our new skill or task, we begin to regain confident. Then, we can step outside of that proverbial box once again and keep on growing.
IMPOSTOR SYNDROME SETS AN EXAMPLE
As a leader, your team is constantly watching you to understand what is expected and how to operate. When your team sees that you are always pushing yourself to try something new and take risks, this gives them permission to do the same. When you are open and honest about what you are experiencing in those moments, it normalizes the feelings that Impostor Syndrome produces. It creates a safe space for others to admit these feelings and connect with others who share them. Just like with everything else, you as the leader set the tone, and you have a great opportunity- and responsibility- to set a positive one.
IMPOSTOR SYNDROME KEEPS YOU HUMBLE
Effective leadership is a balancing act in most areas, and this includes the delicate balance between confidence and humility. It is important to have both as too much of one or the other can cause problems. Impostor Syndrome, especially for leaders, is a wonderful reminder to be humble. No matter how long we have been at it or how successful we deem ourselves to be, it is important that we maintain a sense of humility. Imposter Syndrome is there to give it to us. It reminds us that there is always room to learn and grow. It shows us that when we try something new, we all have to start from the beginning, regardless of our title. This reminder of our humility can only strengthen us as leaders as we remember our own vulnerabilities and humanity.
IMPOSTOR SYNDROME HELPS YOU CONNECT
When you allow yourself to experience the discomfort of growth, it helps you connect with your team when you ask them to do the same. When they struggle with their own feelings of inadequacy or self-doubt, you can understand what that is like and use it to support them and deepen your relationship with them. There is great power and comfort in letting someone know they are not alone in what they are experiencing. Sometimes the greatest support we can provide is a “Me too!” Be honest with your team about your own experiences, prepare them for what they are about to experience and support them as they go through it.
IMPOSTOR SYNDROME MOTIVATES YOU
Often we experience feelings of inadequacy because we are, at least temporarily, inadequate. When we are learning something new, we are naturally at the beginning stages of our competency. In some cases we will learn more naturally and others will take more effort. Either way, Impostor Syndrome is a natural self-assessment of where there is opportunity for growth. When we experience feelings of, “I don’t know what I’m doing”, it is important to determine if it is an accurate assessment or not. If all signs point to your competency and you feel inadequate anyway, this is when Impostor Syndrome can be damaging and needs to be addressed. But if you are feeling that you don’t know what you are doing because you actually don’t know what you are doing, this provides an opportunity to start figuring it out.
Letting Impostor Syndrome benefit rather than derail you is a matter of how you process it. If you experience feelings of uncertainty as normal indicators that you are learning something new and that with time and growth those feelings will fade, you can cycle through the phases of self-doubt and self-assurance in a healthy and productive way. Do not run away from these feelings or pretend they are not there. Recognize them, use them to your benefit and show them what you got!
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