How can executive coaching help you overcome imposter syndrome?

Executive coaching tackles imposter syndrome by reframing limiting beliefs, fostering self-assurance, and encouraging realistic self-appraisal. Through tailored strategies, goal setting, and positive reinforcement, coaches help individuals build confidence, navigate challenges, and embrace their authentic contributions, ultimately overcoming imposter syndrome.

Ao trabalhar com um coach, os profissionais podem identificar padr?es de pensamento negativos, reconhecer conquistas e habilidades subestimadas, e desenvolver estratégias para lidar com o autossabotagem. O coaching também ajuda a estabelecer metas realistas, construir autoconfian?a e fornecer feedback construtivo, permitindo que os indivíduos se sintam capacitados e mais seguros em seus papéis profissionais.

Often, high-achieving people from marginalized communities encounter negative or distorted beliefs about themselves NOT because they've got a syndrome, but because they've been othered in the workplace. For women and minorities, "imposter syndrome" can be a misnomer. In my experience coaching hundreds, I've observed that hard-working and conscientious women never intend to scam, lie, or cheat (something a real imposter would do).

First know that Imposter Syndrome is a repetitive behavior coming from an amnesic memory in early childhood. You are not broken or have a disease of any kind. Behaviors can be re-programmed when the original memory is found and neutralized using Repetitive Behavior Cellular Regression's Q&A Sequence resulting in more Imposter Syndrome coupled with new healthy mental habits that will neutralize future situations where Imposter Syndrome may come back.

One thing I've found helpful is to embrace imposter syndrome. For example, any area you feel insecure use that as motivation to learn more about the subject. Address your feeling head-on to get even better. Make imposter syndrome your super power!

When you're extremely growth-oriented and have experienced being othered (whether due to gender, race, sexuality, or any invisible identity), it's easy to think about success as black and white, either/or, in the hands of other people. So I encourage my clients to measure their growth by whether they've made even a 1% improvement on things entirely in their control (i.e. their own behavior).

A lot of the work that is done during our professional life is aligned around execution - one strategy I use to overcome "imposter syndrome" is to regularly acknowledge and celebrate success. This enables me to take some time off to reflect on my achievements, enables me to identify my flaws and iron them out. This positive reinforcement helps me build confidence and counteract feelings of inadequacy.

Don't be afraid to ask for feedback - from everyone your role impacts; C-suite, peers, direct reports. They will all have a different perspective of what good looks like and this cumulative insight can only serve to give you the tools to achieve what you've been hired to deliver.

Feeling "not good enough" when the evidence of your track record (and other people's feedback) says otherwise can be a symptom of lacking community. To get started on building a community, don't think of building a "network." Instead, chunk it down even further to initiating one positive interaction with a colleague or work friend.

A willingness to be vulnerable and acknowledge imposter syndrome is necessary to move past it. It is easy to fall into the trap where we believe our situation is unique and that we must go through it alone; however, this is rarely the case. I have been fortunate enough to have executive coaches who took the extra step to help me build a network of peers who still serve as strategic thought partners, mentors, and allies to this day. Sharing experiences with my network has been an extremely powerful and effective tool that I have used to overcome the most challenging obstacles.

Anxiety is an overactivation of one hemisphere of the brain. To quickly reduce anxiety, engage in bilateral stimulation: For example, passing a pen back and forth between right and left hands while crossing the midline of your body, or listening to binaural audio that stimulates both ears.

From my experience, a helpful approach is to literally face yourself in the mirror or through a video camera. Many coaching techniques lean heavily on rational analysis, but imposter syndrome often stems from an over-rationalization of why one isn't competent enough. The key lies in understanding the non-verbal aspects—conducting an impact analysis on your own body language and behavior. By directly confronting yourself with your actions and their effects, you can delve into the emotions and feelings that underlie imposter syndrome. In my personal and client-based encounters, this is the space where solutions emerge to overcome imposter syndrome.

Feeling unsure or uncertain isn't unusual if you've recently transitioned to a new role or have new responsibilities. While this can stem from many sources, simply feeling like an impostor doesn't necessarily mean you're incompetent or dishonest. What it can mean is that you don't yet possess the necessary confidence based on your experience thus far (because it's new to you). Be humble, take stock of the knowledge and experience that you already possess, and make a genuine effort to acknowledge and learn the things you don't yet know. From there your confidence will grow and the feeling of being an impostor will subside. Engaging with a coach is an excellent way to get feedback and develop your skills!