I was receiving a Grammy Award for my best selling single and all I could keep thinking was, Who Do you think you Are. LOL never won a Grammy obviously but I’ve had situations where it felt that extreme.
I’ve been hearing about IMPOSTER SYNDROME (IS) a lot lately from former colleagues and just the other day from an influencer who had imposter syndrome as an older student at Notre Dame getting her masters. She was asking herself the same questions any of us who have had it do. I’ve linked a Mel Robbins pod cast above about IS. Good listen.
Am I good enough? How can I compete with those around me? They are so much better than me. I don’t know what I’m doing. What makes me an expert? Whether you are leading a company or you are getting your master’s degree I think the majority of people have imposter syndrom at one point in their life and that little voice in our heads.
People who have experienced IS feel self-doubt about their qualification. They believe their experience and knowledge is inferior versus others in the room. I have experienced IS in a few different situations. For example when I joined a board or starting my own company. It sneaks up on you in different scenarios. Just before you have to give that speech or conduct a meeting where all eyes will be on you, that voice creeps in. This article from the Independent discusses a study of 4000 adults. Women are most likely to experience it in the workplace (72 per cent), during education (29 per cent), and when out with friends (29 per cent).
So how do you over come IS. Well, suck it up gurl. You got this. Take your Woment! know your worth. Really listen to what others are saying. More than likely, you know your stuff and you are one of the most talented people in the room. We assume a title means someone knows everything. In most cases that is NOT accurate. Not all titles are created equal after all. A VP here is not the same as a VP there.
So go confidently into any situation, know your stuff, prep your brain and never let anyone make you feel less than. Being a little nervous is ok though, it keeps you on your toes (wink, wink).
