Conquering the Impostor Syndrome in the Workplace

Grab your coffee, and let’s discuss something that’s been bugging many of us but we rarely discuss openly - the Impostor Syndrome.?

That nagging feeling that you’re just faking it in your professional life, waiting for someone to uncover you as a fraud despite all the evidence pointing to your success and capabilities. I understand how you feel. It has been an unwanted companion of mine for over 30 years!

So, first, you’re not alone. So many of us are in the same boat, paddling through waves of self-doubt, even though we have a solid track record for our efforts. The good news? We can navigate through this together.

Recognize the Impostor Within

For me, the first step to conquering this feeling is to recognize and name it. Yes, it’s the Impostor Syndrome talking, not your true self. Acknowledging that these feelings don’t reflect reality is powerful. It’s like giving a speech you’ve rehearsed and dropping a line or paragraph! You’re viewing yourself too harshly. You have a behind-the-scenes view, seeing or knowing things no one sees or knows. It’s the same with your professional achievements - they’re not flukes or luck; they’re all you. They happened based on you and your consistency and persistence!

Just like we’re doing right now, ‘talking’ helps. Whether with a mentor, a colleague, or a friend, sharing these feelings can lighten the load. You’d be surprised how many of us feel the same way and how sharing can relieve and strengthen your support network. Remember when we share our fears, suddenly, they don’t seem so big. It works the same way with impostor syndrome. Share with people you trust.

No success is too small to celebrate. I talk about this a lot. Have you finished a project? Celebrate it. Have you received positive feedback? Take a moment to soak it in. These achievements are evidence of your capabilities and hard work. Time well spent! Toast to the small victories in our personal and professional lives. They’re not just luck; they’re your hard-earned wins - rewards.

Teach What You Know

One of the best ways to overcome feeling like an impostor is to share your knowledge with others. Teaching or mentoring reinforces your expertise and highlights your value within your team or community. You’re more knowledgeable than you give yourself credit for.

Start keeping a brag file - a digital file or notebook where you jot down your achievements, positive feedback, and moments of success. For example, I received a comment on a comment I made over the weekend. A LinkedIn influencer told me this week, “You’re doing a great job ...” A copy went into my file. And right now, it is also living on my desktop, so whenever the impostor syndrome creeps in, I can look at it and get a boost. It’s a tangible reminder of my consistency and persistence and a great way to silence those nasty doubts in my head.?

Whenever those impostor thoughts bubble up, challenge them. Ask yourself, “Would I ever say this to my best friend?” The answer is probably no. Reframe those thoughts in a kinder, more realistic way. It’s about treating yourself with the same compassion and encouragement you offer others, especially in our heart-to-heart talks.

Embrace a Growth Mindset

View challenges and mistakes not as evidence of you being an imposter but as opportunities to grow. Remember, excellence comes from experience, and experience comes from learning through what we often perceive as failures. Strike that word from your vocabulary! Hot and cold, up and down, winning and stumbling, it’s all part of the journey.

So, my friend, as we finish the article and our coffee, remember this: the fact that you’re worried about being an impostor already shows how much you care about your work and strive to be your best.?

That’s not fraud; that’s passion and commitment.?

Let’s unify and support each other through those impostor moments, turning them into stepping stones toward realizing our true potential.

Here’s to conquering the Impostor Syndrome, one coffee chat at a time!?

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