Imposter Syndrome: How to Keep it Real [VIDEO]

Have you ever walked into a room and felt out place, like you were underdressed or unqualified? Or maybe you have taken a new job and feel inadequate to carry it out? Or maybe you are leading an organization and feel ill-equipped to fulfill the mission or assignment before you?

Some have called this Imposter syndrome, but the reality is we have all felt unsure from time to time in our various roles. In fact, research suggests 70% of adults experience this at some point in their lives. It is that overwhelming feeling of inadequacy and self-doubt despite proven success. It is internalizing that you are not as competent as others think you are. You tell yourself things like, “I’m a fake,” and, “They’re all going to find out I’m a fraud.”

One of the main barriers that prevents leaders from excelling is not necessarily a missing skillset or character flaw. It is lacking self-confidence in an area and feeling like an imposter that holds many leaders back. This has a ripple effect throughout the organization as your colleagues and employees feel the impact of the leader’s doubt.

Here are a few thoughts from respected leaders who have also struggled with this imposter syndrome.

 “Each time I write a book, every time I face that yellow pad, the challenge is so great. I have written eleven 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, Nobel Laureate)

“Very few people, whether you’ve been in that job before or not, get into the seat and believe today that they are now qualified to be the CEO. They’re not going to tell you that, but it’s true.” – Mark Schultz, former CEO

“We all have doubts in our abilities, about our power and what that power is.” – Michelle Obama,

It happens to many of us, but here are three ways you can lead from an authentic place and overcome feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt, and imposter syndrome.

1. Recognize those feelings.

Don’t ignore when these feelings persist. Feeling unsure doesn’t make you an imposter… it makes you human. When you recognize these feelings, you can then tell yourself that simply feeling inadequate does not mean you are inadequate. Those two things are very different. Instead, embrace the reality before you. You were chosen to lead the team assigned to you. You were promoted to handle the job. You are where you are supposed to be. Recognize the feeling, but embrace the truth.

2. Reframe the thought.

Instead of saying, “I’m not qualified to do this,” tell yourself, “I will learn how to do this.” Remind yourself it is ok not to know everything. Early in my career, one of my mentors told me, “Give yourself 90 days on this new project to absorb as much as you can before making significant changes. Listen and learn. You don’t know what you don’t know.” So, in any new opportunity, give yourself the freedom to learn from your trusted community, your team, and others. Reframe those thoughts of inadequacy into a place of “I’m learning.”

3. Reward yourself.

As leaders, you will have some successes and some failures. Some successes will hopefully have a major impact on those you lead and serve, but what about those small wins? Reward yourself when you have moments of added value to a project or to another person, and encourage your team to do the same. Having an external perspective by helping others see their own successes helps you as a leader avoid internalizing your own negative chatter.

Remember, if you’ve been called to lead something bigger than yourself, it is bigger than you. Those thoughts of inadequacy are ok, but don’t stay there. Let them fuel you to a place of leading with courage by way of your own awareness and vulnerability. Watch how others around you freely grow as leaders in the process too. In closing, 1) recognize the feeling you are having, 2) reframe that feeling into something tangible you can actually change, and 3) reward those small wins for yourself and those you lead.

The best way to show up to a new job or a fresh leadership opportunity… is to show up as yourself. 

If you have experienced feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt in your leadership role, contact us to learn how our experienced coaches can help you grow in your leadership!

Toni Scialanca is a Consultant at The Center Consulting Group. She holds an M.S. in Organizational Leadership from Cairn University and is currently pursuing a Doctorate degree in Strategic Leadership from Regent University. In addition to her work with The Center, Toni also serves as Board VP Chair for a global nonprofit encouraging leadership development in young girls. Toni’s previous work experience included various areas of supply chain, customer experience, and product deployment as well as in church leadership and management. Her consulting expertise includes strategic planning, leadership coaching, team building, and customer experience.