Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
By: Keisha Cook, Renogize Coach
About 8 years ago, I decided to change careers. Before that decision, I considered myself pretty risk averse. I had never attempted to do anything without being sure I would be successful, so to find myself mid-career starting over in a new field was intimidating. I found that I frequently second-guessed myself, deferred to others even when I had the answer, and limited my contributions. I lived in a constant state of fear that people would realize that I had no idea what I was doing. It was my first experience with imposter syndrome.
Imposter syndrome is essentially doubting your abilities and feeling like a fraud despite evidence to the contrary. If you are reading this, you have likely experienced this feeling at some point in your life and/or career. While imposter syndrome may not be avoidable, here are three steps you can take to overcome it:
Embrace transparency. There is something about being honest with yourself and others that is liberating, and this especially holds true when dealing with imposter syndrome. Don’t be afraid to admit what you don’t know, especially to those you lead. Ask questions. Be open to learning. Not only do you relieve yourself of the pressure of having all the answers, but you create psychological safety on your team by demonstrating that it’s okay not to.
Recognize your strengths and lean into them. You may not be the expert in the room, but you’re in the room for a reason. What are you there to contribute? What do you know or possess that no one else does? Consciously shift your focus from what you don’t know to what you DO know.
Find your champions. We are often our own worse critics, and while that may drive us to grow and improve, it can be limiting if we adopt those self-critiques as our personal narrative. To balance that, find people in your life that recognize your capabilities and accomplishments and consistently encourage and advocate for you.
Imposter syndrome is common, but it doesn’t have to hold you back. You are where you are for a reason. You DO belong at the table—so show up fully and confident in what you bring!
