Conquering Imposter Syndrome: The Power of Mentorship
In the professional world, imposter syndrome can be a formidable foe, whispering doubts and undermining confidence. But there's a powerful countermeasure that often goes overlooked: mentorship.
I am a true believer in mentorship - formal and informal. In today's edition, I'll discuss:
Why Mentorship Works
Like it or not, we all need some kind of external validation. A mentor provides an objective perspective on your skills and achievements, countering self-doubt with facts. Mentors can also help identify areas for growth, turning perceived weaknesses into opportunities for improvement and skills development. Regular feedback and encouragement from a respected figure can significantly boost self-assurance.
Hearing about your mentor's own battles with imposter syndrome normalizes these feelings and provides strategies for overcoming or minimizing them. Shared experiences are a powerful way to relate to your mentor and learn from them.
Network expansion is a valuable resource that a mentor brings to the table. A strong mentor introduces you to their network, reinforcing your belonging in professional circles.
If the mentor/mentee relationship is based on career aspirations, professional socialization can be very powerful. It's the process by which mentees learn more about the day to day of their industry. Often mentees have misinformation about the industry they want to go into or what it's like to be a leader in that industry. Professional socialization is the process by which people learn the skills, knowledge, and values needed to perform those professional roles. If you truly know what you are getting into, then moments of self-doubt can be mitigated.
Implementing Mentorship
I always get the question: How do I find a mentor? Sometimes it's a matter of asking someone straight out. You can also join a formal mentor program. And sometimes mentors are people who you can learn from informally. They don't have to state out loud, "I AM YOUR MENTOR!" We have leaders in our lives who we interact with regularly and who share nuggets of wisdom with us regularly. That's mentorship too. You just have to pay attention.
Seek mentors inside and outside your organization. You can have more than one. Internal mentors can provide you with insight and clarity that is relevant to the culture of your current organization. While an external coach can provide objective insights and potential next steps or even connections to other organizations when you are ready to move on.
Be clear about your goals and expectations from the mentor relationship. Don't be a bad mentee. Respond to their emails and do the "homework" they assign to you. Schedule regular check-ins and be prepared with specific questions or topics. Do not waste your mentor's time!
Finally, be mentor-able. Be open to feedback and willing to act on the advice. Know that the advice is coming from someone who cares about your success and always assume good intent.
And for those of you who have been mentors many times over, consider reverse mentoring to gain fresh perspectives and boost confidence in your own expertise. Reverse mentoring is a mentoring relationship where a junior or less experienced employee mentors a senior or more experienced employee. It's different from traditional mentoring, where the more senior person is the mentee.
How mentorship can help us deal with self-doubt and imposter syndrome
This section is not much different from why mentorship works. Mentors often share their own experiences, including failures, struggles, and doubts. This normalization of setbacks and challenges can help you realize that self-doubt is a common emotion, even among successful people. Knowing that your mentor has faced similar challenges can make you feel less isolated and more confident in your journey.
Imposter syndrome often paralyzes people, making them hesitant to pursue opportunities. A mentor provides accountability, encouraging you to take action and reminding you of your progress along the way. Knowing someone is invested in your success can push you to step out of your comfort zone, even when self-doubt lingers.
Mentors serve as role models, demonstrating what’s possible when you take ownership of your abilities. Observing how they navigate challenges and how they speak confidently about their achievements can inspire you to do the same.
By fostering these elements, mentorship becomes a critical resource in silencing self-doubt and imposter syndrome, enabling you to lean into your strengths and potential.
Remember, even the most successful professionals have faced imposter syndrome. By embracing mentorship, you're not just gaining a guide - you're arming yourself with a powerful tool to unleash your audacity.
Reach out to a potential mentor today and take the first step towards unshakeable confidence.
I help others remove the mask and show to the world ?? the real, imperfect, flawed, unique, and beautiful person they are. | Dare to Be Genuine
1 个月I am reading the book “ The Biology of Belief.” The author talks about how 95-99% of our day is controlled by the subconscious mind. The subconscious mind is like a tape recorder on repeat in our minds. The best way to address the negative statements or stories that we tell ourselves over and over again on repeat which leads to imposter syndrome is to record new stories. An effective way to record over the old is to have a great mentor speak into your life. The right mentor is critical to elimanating self doubt and go after the extraordinary things that we were created to achieve. Thanks for sharing.