Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

When I first entered into the corporate world from law enforcement, I was super “gung-ho” with the excitement of travel and adventure. However, if I am being honest there was also a level of insecurity because I felt as if I had walked into a room of people who spoke a different language and who’s culture I didn’t understand. The people from this foreign corporate land spoke in acronyms and common phrases that were created by the top leaders within the company. These phrases, or buzz words, would trickle down to every meeting I would attend no matter who led them or what country they were being held in. The stoic manner in which people spoke and them having a level of assumption that I knew the intricate details of their organization left me seriously questioning my intelligence.

Due to the cult like vibes I would get from some of my encounters I remember asking myself if these people were authentic or was I in over my head? However, quickly I found myself speaking and presenting in front of these same people, using the same buzz words and assuming they understood the intricate details of my organization. As you can imagine my hypocrisy had me really torn internally and questioning if I too was being authentic or was I an imposter waiting to be exposed. In other words, did I really have enough value to be in the role I was hired into?

As I reflect over my career success, I have learned an irreplaceable lesson when it comes to questioning our value. Self-doubt is not only normal, but it can be one of the strongest keys to success when responded to appropriately. Being able to reflect on our limitations can be the motivation we need to ask questions, work harder, and improve in areas where we may not have as much experience. Having self-doubt can be equally important as a leader because it serves as a reminder that we are not always right. It allows us to humbly look to those who are experts in these areas and lean on them which in turns gives them a sense of value and worth.

Not knowing does not mean we are not valuable or an imposter. It means we are human and it means we now have the motivation to learn something new. It also means we are empowering someone to do their job and giving them the opportunity to invest in us and the company. Unfortunately, when leaders accept the role of guiding others we can often feel this means we must also have all the answers. A seasoned leader will tell us this is not only impossible but can be interpreted as micro-managing. In other words, we have taken away someone’s ability to provide value.

One of the side effects of imposter syndrome is that it can make us feel like we must overwork ourselves to earn our place and compensate for feeling like a fraud. The long hours may earn you accolades which can give us a temporary shot of endorphins but the fear of being exposed will certainly return once the high has worn off. This creates a negative pattern of belief that we must earn our value by sacrificing our personal time, family and mental health. This is simply not a sustainable way of operating and will lead to burnout.

This leaves the lingering question of; how do we not second guess our value and know we are worthy enough to be in the position we are in?

Before I dive in with my opinion, I first want us to realize we are not alone. Otherwise, I would not be writing this article. Second, we were identified for a reason. Others saw value in us and had a belief that we were the right person for the job. Therefore, our imposter syndrome may be coming from a lot of personal perception which is not rooted in factual truth. Struggling with personal value is just a human emotion we all deal with.

When we find ourselves questioning our position in the workplace there are several proactive things that we can do to calm the storm brewing in our own minds.

• Acknowledge the thoughts you are having
• Silence negative self-talk and reframe it with opportunities for growth and learning
• Keep a record of the opportunities you have for growth and learning
• Keep a record of your successes and achievements
• Seek out a mentor or colleague to meet with on a regular cadence

- Ask questions

- Seek guidance

• Practice positive thought patterns and self-talk
• Establish personal boundaries that give you time to mentally recover and enjoy life outside of the workplace

This past weekend my wife and I drove across several states taking our youngest son to college football prospect camps. One of the things our son has come to realize at these camps is there is a higher level of talent he must compete with in order to receive recognition from the coaching staff. For my son this recognition is so important because he is trying to earn himself an athletic scholarship. For us in the corporate world we may be trying to prove our worth in our current role or earn a promotion, a bonus, or compete with other companies for business.

Although there may be a mental storm brewing causing us to doubt our own ability, we can all rest assured we are not alone. It is our responsibility to show up being the best version of ourselves by taking proactive steps to help quiet the noise and drive success. I encourage you to take some time to reflect at how far you have come and make note of those successes. Creating personal boundaries outside of work creates space which allows for recovery and communicates confidence to those around us. Remember, you were chosen for your role because you were identified as valuable.

What are some things you have done to drive success and overcome personal doubt?