I’ve been reading lots recently about Imposter Syndrome. I’ve coached some people who say they have felt this way and I’m sure in my life and career I’ve had moments when I’ve not felt at my strongest or best. I’m intrigued by what it is.
I think it can be uncovered in a series of questions based around how a person might generate a ‘wobbly’ internal narrative for themselves, such as:
- Am I good enough?
- What do others see in me that I don’t?
- Are the people around me better and therefore am I really worthy of their followership and respect?
- Do I really know what I’m doing?
- Why do I have to exude confidence when I don’t feel confident?
I think this is in part a worry about what other people think, but we all do that. I believe though that it is also a niggling concern where you realise that you have got yourself to a place having bypassed the establishing of firm foundations in yourself that you rely on in life. Maybe this is this what people say is being ‘out of your depth’.
I’ve heard it said about people, it’s almost certainly been said about me. Not a nice thing to say or hear, but in some cases, it may be true. The best way to deal with it is – deal with it. It’s a trigger for some hard work, probably a journey of self-discovery because you will probably know that you try things that just don’t work, and you don’t know why.
I’d argue that a great way to find out is to ask people who you trust to give you honest feedback and listen deeply to what they have to say. Using a coach/mentor or even a therapist to help you work through this I have found to be a godsend. But it’s not easy or for the feint hearted. But then if you are in or aspire to be in a leadership position you may need to consider this, because if you don’t want to do the hard yards on yourself or even if you do, leadership and especially senior is also not for the feint hearted.
