Imposter Syndrome: If You’re A Leader Who Feels Like a Fraud, Here Is How To Stop Feeling That Way
Monday Morning Manager Series #8
This article is part of The Monday Morning Manager Series for new leaders specifically those who went home on a Friday as a team member and came to work on Monday as a Manager. With no training.
Check out the rest of the series in the series plus the archives here.
Imposter Syndrome
Do you feel like a fraud? Like you’re not good enough or capable enough to be where you are in your new role? You’re not alone. You could be experiencing Imposter Syndrome.
Have you ever caught yourself wondering if you can do your new job as a leader?
Are you wondering if you were hired by mistake or because there were no other competent applicants?
Imposter Syndrome again.
Perhaps you are waiting to be caught out as no good at the job. You wonder when your colleagues will realize that you don’t know what you’re doing.
Or you may be feeling inadequate or unqualified despite evidence to the contrary.
If you’ve had any of the above negative thoughts, you’ve encountered it too.
This is Imposter Syndrome at its best.
Medical News Today states that in a 2020 review it was found that Imposter Syndrome affects between 9%-82% of people. It affects both genders equally.
So what can you do about it?
According to Valerie Young, people without Imposter Syndrome aren’t more intelligent or talented than the rest of us. They think differently.
Those of us with Imposter Syndrome need to change how we think.
Here is how:
Look at the facts
If you are doubting yourself and wondering whether or not you can do the job think about your experience and qualifications.
Have a read-through of your CV, LinkedIn profile, and position description. You’ll be impressed with yourself once you’ve finished reading about all your achievements.
Make a list of all your achievements, skills, and abilities and put it somewhere where you can see it while you are working. Keep the list in your wallet if you are going into the office and don’t want others to see it.
Believe you can learn
If there is anything on your position description that you need to learn, adopt a growth mindset and know that with effort and time, you can learn it.
Have a read of Carol Dweck’s book, “Mindset: The new psychology of success” if you want to learn about what a growth mindset is in more detail.
Face Your Thoughts Head On
Write down the thoughts going through your head and ask yourself if they are true.
What proof is there that these things are true? What evidence can you think of? Has anyone ever accused you of any of these things?
If the answer is no, it’s likely all in your head.
Write down some alternative phrases like, “I’m an experienced and talented professional,” and every time you have a negative thought, substitute the positive instead.
Give Yourself a High Five
Mel Robbins encourages people to give themselves a high five in the mirror every morning in her book “The High 5 Habit”.
According to Robbins, giving yourself a high five gives your brain a bit of a wake-up. Something unusual is happening, and this grabs your brain’s attention. If you think positive thoughts about yourself while your high-fiving, these thoughts are more likely to stick.
Giving yourself a high five in the morning is all about giving yourself the same love and encouragement you give to other people.
Give it a try.
Your interview
Think about the interview process you went through and who interviewed you. Do you think your interviewers were competent in their role?
If you do, why do you doubt their choice?
Be kind to yourself
If you have unrealistic expectations about your performance, such as never making a mistake, change your thinking.
Everyone makes mistakes, has to learn, and is unsure of what to do at times.
Summary
If you have Imposter Syndrome, remember that so do most other people. It’s widespread thought pattern and doesn’t mean you are not competent.
The main thing is to recognize Imposter Syndrome as it’s happening and take steps to change the way you think.
Remember to:
- List your achievements
- Change your inner narrative
- Give yourself a high-five
- Believe you can learn
- Be kind to yourself
- Believe you are the best person for your job
I hope this helps :-)
I’m a Learning & Development professional writing about leadership & training. I’ve designed The New Leader’s Starter Kit to help leaders communicate more effectively with their teams.
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