Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Becoming THE Expert

“Wipe the slate clean. And rewrite it. No fairy tales. Be your own narrator. And go for a happy ending. One foot in front of the other. You will make it.” - Shonda Rhimes; Producer, author, screenwriter, creator of ABC hits like Grey's Anatomy and Scandal

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Imposter syndrome is a psychological pattern where individuals doubt their accomplishments and fear being exposed as a "fraud," despite evident success and competence. Even when you’re objectively good at what you do, you might still feel like you're not as skilled or deserving as others think. It can manifest in different ways, such as attributing success to luck, dismissing praise, or feeling like you’re just “faking it.”

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“You think, ‘Why would anyone want to see me again in a movie? And I don’t know how to act anyway, so why am I doing this?’ ” Meryl Streep; Award winning actress

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If you follow my Narrow Path newsletter, you know my goal is to share insights for Gen Z ( or anyone really) into bettering yourself for entering into the creative media industries in some form or fashion. You’ve heard me talk about taking some of my advanced media students to the Super Bowl so they can get hands-on experience working alongside the media professionals in sports broadcasting. My students are right in there with the big boys, asking questions, getting interviews, shooting great footage with folks like Patrick Mahomes, Brock Purdy, Terry Bradshaw, Mike Tomlin, Tony Dungy, Kurt Warner, James Brown and many other names you’d recognize on your list of great players and coaches.

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“I have written 11 books, but each time I think, ‘uh oh, they’re going to find out now. I’ve run a game on everybody, and they’re going to find me out.” ?- Maya Angelou; Civil Rights Activist, author, poet and Nobel Laureate

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I’ve seen a few of my first-time Super Bowl students freeze when we walk into Opening Night and the teams show up and every starts up – 5000 experienced and intimidating media roaming around, jostling for positions, butting in front of you, hustling for interviews with the top players, shouting over everyone else to get their question heard and answered. This is not atypical. There are times I’ve taken a step back to take everything in during these situations, sometimes wondering how I got here and asking myself do I even belong here – and I’ve been directing packages for the Super Bowl every year since 2006! But every once in a awhile, that self-doubt creeps in.

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I usually will just walk up to them and encourage them to do their thing. This is what we’ve been training for. It’s time to get in the game! And then they’re usually off and running. Once they get that first or second interview under their belt, in the thralls of the media craziness, they feel the rush and excitement of being part of the adventure of doing sports broadcasting for a living. ??

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“There are an awful lot of people out there who think I’m an expert. How do these people believe all this about me? I’m so much aware of all the things I don’t know.” – Dr. Margaret Chan; Forbes ranked Dr. Chan as 2013’s thirtieth most powerful woman in the world

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We have come back after a long night – it’s usually around midnight – we’re starting to download and organize our footage, check our gear and start charging batteries for tomorrow, already beginning to think about the packages we’ll edit from the great quotes we got this evening. Once things settle down, inevitably one of the students will say something like: “I can’t believe we just did that. That was amazing! But, I feel like an imposter here. How do I get over that imposter syndrome?”

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We all start talking about what we’re doing, how we’ve practiced for this over and over. I encourage them to know that this is how you get going in this industry – you just go do it, no matter what someone else says or whether you think you can do it or not. If this is what you want to be doing, let’s do it! You gotta start somewhere!

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“The greatest obstacle for me has been the voice in my head that I call my obnoxious roommate. I wish someone would invent a tape recorder that we could attach to our brains to record everything we tell ourselves. We would realize how important it is to stop this negative self-talk. It means pushing back against our obnoxious roommate with a dose of wisdom.” – Arianna Huffington; Author, Syndicated Columnist, Co-founder of the Huffington Post

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It’s hard to do what we do in media and sports broadcasting. You need to know how to work your camera, make sure audio is working, that the levels are correct, that the iris is right, lighting is enough and the right color temperature – all while getting ready to pay attention to the questions and answers flying around. It’s like being at an Italian family Christmas dinner – arms and hands are flying around, people are loud and boisterous, conversations are passionate, and you can’t get a word in edgewise. It nuts! But when you become good at all of this, just because it no longer feels difficult doesn’t mean you’re an imposter. It means you’re getting good at this and you can be proud of the hard work you’ve put in to get to this point in developing your craft and discipline.

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I want to be clear – this is NOT “fake it till you make it.” I do not believe in that general terminology or philosophy - the idea of "I don't know how to do this so I'll just pretend and hope no one notices." That's not what were doing at all! We’re not faking anything here. We’re doing what we’ve been training to do. Maybe you haven’t done it at this level yet, but we have been doing it over and over again to get to this place.

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A more positive and authentic way to express this idea could be the following:

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1. "Act with confidence while you learn."?

?? This conveys the idea of projecting confidence while acknowledging that you are still in the process of growing.

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2. "Grow into the role."?

?? This emphasizes the journey of personal development and learning without implying any dishonesty.

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3. "Step into your potential."?

?? This phrase focuses on embracing the opportunities in front of you and developing the skills needed to succeed.

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4. "Embrace the challenge and evolve."?

?? This wording highlights the value of taking on new challenges with the intent to grow and improve over time.

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5. "Project confidence while building competence."?

?? This expresses the dual focus on presenting yourself well and continuously learning, without faking it.

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“I still sometimes feel like a loser kid in high school and I just have to pick myself up and tell myself that I’m a superstar every morning so that I can get through this day and be for my fans what they need for me to be.” – Lady Gaga; Grammy and Academy Award winning singer/actor

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These alternatives focus more on growth, self-confidence, and authenticity, while still conveying the idea of pushing yourself to grow and succeed.

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?COMMON SIGNS OF IMPOSTER SYNDROME:

- Self-doubt: Questioning your abilities, even when there's evidence of success.

- Overworking: Feeling the need to constantly prove yourself to avoid being “found out.”

- Discounting praise: Dismissing compliments or positive feedback as unwarranted.

- Fear of failure: Being overly worried about making mistakes, as it might "expose" your inadequacy.

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?HOW TO DEAL WITH IMPOSTER SYNDROME:

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1. Acknowledge Your Feelings:

?? Recognize that feeling like an imposter is common, especially in high-achieving environments. Just acknowledging that these feelings exist can lessen their power over you.

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2. Track Your Achievements:

?? Keep a journal or list of your accomplishments, positive feedback, and success stories. Reflecting on tangible evidence of your competence can help counter self-doubt.

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3. Reframe Negative Thoughts:

?? Challenge irrational thoughts by reframing them. Instead of thinking, “I just got lucky,” remind yourself that your skills and hard work led to the outcome.

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“I have spent my years since Princeton, while at law school and in my various professional jobs, not feeling completely a part of the worlds I inhabit. I am always looking over my shoulder wondering if I measure up.” – Sonia Sotomayor; First Hispanic Supreme Court Justice

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4. Share Your Feelings:

?? Talking with trusted friends, colleagues, or mentors about your imposter feelings can help you realize you're not alone. Many successful people experience imposter syndrome at some point.

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5. Avoid Perfectionism:

?? Accept that it's okay to make mistakes. Perfectionism can fuel imposter syndrome, so focusing on progress rather than perfection can help ease the pressure.

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6. Celebrate Your Successes:

?? Take time to celebrate your achievements. Even small wins are worth acknowledging, as this reinforces the idea that your skills contributed to the outcome.

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7. Seek Support:

?? Professional counseling or coaching can help you develop coping strategies and build confidence in your abilities.

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While imposter syndrome may not fully disappear, managing it with these strategies can reduce its impact and help you continue thriving in your field.

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“Now when I receive recognition for my acting, I feel incredibly uncomfortable. I tend to turn in on myself. I feel like an imposter. Any moment, someone’s going to find out I’m a total fraud, and that I don’t deserve any of what I’ve achieved.” – Emma Watson; Award winning actress, model and activist

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BECOMING THE EXPERT IN YOUR FIELD

Whatever you’re doing, becoming an expert in your field requires dedication, continuous learning, and deliberate practice. You’ve heard me talk about the idea behind Malcom Gladwell’s concept of needing to be doing something for at least 10,000 hours to become an expert. Becoming good at something involves deep knowledge, practical experience, and the ability to innovate or solve complex problems. Here’s a step-by-step approach to developing expertise:

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?1. Develop a Strong Foundation

?? - Master the basics: Build a solid understanding of the fundamental principles in your field. You can't excel without a firm grasp of the basics.

?? - Formal education: If possible, pursue formal training or education (degrees, certifications, courses) to establish foundational knowledge.

?? - Stay curious: Cultivate a habit of curiosity. Keep asking questions and challenging your understanding of the subject.

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?2. Engage in Continuous Learning

?? - Stay updated: Your field is likely evolving, especially in areas like technology or science. Read industry journals, attend webinars, listen to podcasts, and follow experts to stay updated.

?? - Pursue certifications or advanced studies: In some fields, gaining certifications or advanced degrees can bolster your knowledge and credibility.

?? - Take online courses: Platforms like Coursera, edX, LinkedIn Learning, and Udemy offer specialized courses taught by experts.

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?3. Deliberate Practice

?? - Focus on deep practice: Don’t just practice for the sake of it. Identify the specific skills you need to improve and work on them intentionally. This could mean working on challenging projects, troubleshooting difficult problems, or experimenting with new methods.

?? - Seek feedback: Regular feedback from mentors, peers, or supervisors is crucial. It helps you identify blind spots and areas for improvement.

?? - Step outside your comfort zone: Growth comes from pushing yourself. Take on tasks or projects that stretch your abilities.

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“[It was] the same way when I walked on the campus at Yale. I thought everybody would find out, and they’d take the Oscar back. They’d come to my house, knocking on the door, ‘Excuse me, we meant to give that to someone else. That was going to Meryl Streep.’” – Jodi Foster; Academy Award winning actress

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?4. Specialize in a Niche

?? - Identify your niche: As you progress, focus on a particular area of expertise within your field. Specialization can make you stand out.

?? - Be a problem solver: Develop a deep understanding of your niche and learn to solve complex problems that others might avoid.

?? - Create a unique value proposition: Offer something distinct, whether it's an innovative approach, a rare skill set, or deep expertise in a specialized area.

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?5. Learn from Experts and Mentors

?? - Find mentors: Having a mentor who is already an expert in the field can accelerate your growth. Learn from their experiences, ask for guidance, and seek honest feedback.

?? - Attend conferences and networking events: Interact with other professionals and experts. This exposure can broaden your perspective, provide inspiration, and keep you aligned with trends.

?? - Join professional organizations: Participate in communities, organizations, or associations that align with your field. Many fields have industry bodies that provide resources, certification programs, and networking opportunities.

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?6. Contribute and Share Knowledge

?? - Teach others: Teaching is one of the best ways to solidify your knowledge. It forces you to understand concepts deeply and clearly articulate them to others.

?? - Write or speak publicly: Publish articles, start a blog, or speak at conferences or seminars. Sharing your insights helps establish you as a thought leader.

?? - Participate in open forums: Engage in discussions, forums, or social media groups related to your field. This helps you stay connected with current debates and issues while also building your reputation.

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?7. Build a Professional Network

?? - Surround yourself with experts: Build relationships with others in your field who inspire or challenge you. Networking is essential for both learning and career growth.

?? - Collaborate on projects: Work with other experts on collaborative projects. This not only expands your knowledge but also broadens your reach and reputation.

?? - Stay visible: Attend industry events, contribute to online communities, and stay active in professional circles.

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?8. Apply Your Knowledge

?? - Work on real-world projects: Theoretical knowledge alone isn’t enough. You must apply your expertise in real-world scenarios to gain practical insights.

?? - Solve complex problems: As you grow, take on more complex and challenging problems. Becoming an expert often involves finding innovative solutions to difficult issues.

?? - Develop case studies: Document your successes, challenges, and learning experiences. This can help in future problem-solving and adds credibility to your expertise.

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?9. Adopt a Growth Mindset

?? - Embrace lifelong learning: Experts never stop learning. Stay open to new ideas, technologies, and approaches, even if you’ve mastered your current level of knowledge.

?? - Be willing to fail: Failure is part of the learning process. Every mistake is an opportunity to learn something new and improve your approach.

?? - Stay humble: Even when you reach a high level of expertise, remain humble. The field will continue to evolve, and there's always more to learn.

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?10. Measure and Reflect

?? - Set goals: Define clear, achievable goals for your career progression, skills development, and milestones that will signify your growth toward expertise.

?? - Self-reflect regularly: Periodically review your progress, skills, and experiences. Reflection helps you identify gaps in knowledge and areas to work on.

?? - Track your impact: Whether it’s through tangible results (successful projects, innovations) or feedback from peers and clients, measure the value you bring to your field.

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?Final Thoughts:

Becoming an expert takes time, persistence, and a genuine passion for your field. Expertise isn’t just about acquiring knowledge but also applying it effectively and continually growing.

?"You can do this. Go get ‘em!" - Coach Stainbrook

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Jess Stainbrook is an 8x Emmy Award winning sports broadcast producer/director and university professor who is passionate about raising up the next generation of creative professionals and visual storytellers.

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