Can the real you please show up

I am feeling inspired by the sense of belonging and humanity coming together whilst being a spectator at the London Marathon to watch friends and family.

Last week’s article, “Disrupt your own career or someone else will!” evoked much response, with award-winning recruiter Chris Sale sharing an insightful lens:

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“The reality is, it’s not in the human condition to welcome change and disruption BUT evolution has probably given us the capacity to cope with it. So, the takeaway is perhaps to develop good coping mechanisms and not to fear it.?“

I am always open and curious to hear feedback on my performance and how I show up as an executive coach, facilitator, and podcast host. Recently, I was perplexed and taken aback when receiving safe feedback that I suffer from Imposter Syndrome on occasion, as I have helped many executives to overcome this state of mind.

Going back to my conversation, my client suggested I should never doubt myself. The outcomes we have achieved in our coaching partnership, both financially and intangibly, are threefold more than the expectation at the start of our relationship.

This was hugely complementary, yet I was left a little puzzled, so it was time to get super-curious.

After a riverside walk and making some reflective notes on the questions, ‘What?

So what?

What next?’

I realised I would rather be understated occasionally rather than overstated, like many stage-grabbers in the world, whose confidence far exceeds their competence.

I also realised how I actually manage it – I often visualise I am an umpire at a tennis match observing a coaching interaction and looking for evidence and data.

RADA Business tutor?Lisa ?kesson says:

“Imposter Syndrome is a constant feeling that you're going to be found out…

Essentially, you feel like a fraud, even if you are actively delivering your best work. So Imposter Syndrome is about the mismatch between how we see ourselves, and what we are actually delivering.”

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A real-life example then resurfaced for me. Many years ago, I received feedback whilst writing my own CV, from a very well-respected mentor of mine who said:

‘If there is evidence, then it’s not boasting; it is true and you aren’t doing yourself, your team or the situation justice.’

In other words, underselling yourself is as detrimental as overselling for your career and brand. Walking the tightrope of positioning yourself effectively based on the value you add is optimal. It is the pre-condition to being appropriately rewarded for the value you add to an individual, a company and the wider Payments eco-system.?

Lisa ?kesson continues, “Imposter Syndrome sits at an identity level. It’s often emotional, illogical, and appears without evidence. You might believe that you can’t do something, even as you are doing it. Your Imposter Syndrome ignores outside evidence that says you are good at your job, for example, and tells you that you aren’t.”

My challenge to you this week is:

·???????Do you feel you ever suffer from Imposter Syndrome?

·???????What are your best ways of exploring this?

·???????How can you discover the opportunities that lie ahead by flipping the lens?

·???????How can the ‘real’ you show up when it matters?

It was a huge honour to have a fireside conversation with sergio signoretti CFO and Head of Payments at lastminute.com who shared the unique belief: “Trust and integrity count more than greed.”

My other key takeaways are:

·???????Sergio’s values of integrity, natural optimism, transparency, and fairness in relationship-management shone through.

·???????Deliver what is promised as it builds trust.

·???????Staying calm and trusting life was clearly shown during not one but two kidnapping experiences!

·???????Build trust with the team and all stakeholders through constant work and professionalism, with calm and a smile.

·???????Communication sometimes counts more than competence.

·???????Treat people well because life will ask for the bill.

·???????To be successful, innovative consistently to improve the user experience for customers.

·???????The value of reciprocity and your network cannot be underestimated – it is a fundamental accelerator and needs continuous seeding.

Our purpose at Accelerated Career Results is to transform Payments leaders’ mindsets, confidence, and results. For them to achieve their potential through the power of life-enhancing connections, shared experiences, and collaborative learning.

We achieve this by unlocking the ‘latent ability’ within talented individuals and teams. If you have found this article valuable, please like, re-share and pass it on to a colleague or to your trusted network whom it could help at this stage of their leadership career.

If you are a decency led leader, don’t hesitate to reach out if you have a challenge and want to work with a trusted partner, to [email protected]