Have you got Imposter Syndrome?

You’ve just landed the job of your dreams and here you are a few weeks in.

Oh hell yeah you were confident in the lead up to this. You prepared well for the interview process. You were confident you could get the role.

But now that you have it…you’re thinking: How did I get here? I shouldn’t be here. I don’t deserve to be here. I am going to be found out by my peers. How long can I keep this up for?

I have news for you. You got this job because you can do it. You got this job because you are highly skilled, you got the job because you are you.

According to Forbes magazine, in 2019 nearly 6 in 10 executive women shared that promotions or transitions to new roles were the times that they most experienced imposter syndrome.

So what is this imposter syndrome and what can I do to overcome it?

Imposter syndrome is the persistent inability to believe that one's success is deserved or has been legitimately achieved as a result of one's own efforts or skills. (The Oxford Dictionary of Languages)

Sound familiar? Here is the exciting bit - you can overcome it!

• Top tip #1 Notice your self deprecating internal voice.

Awareness is key to behavioural change. When your internal voice kicks in, notice it. Acknowledge it comes from a space of protection. Replace it by positive affirmations.

• Top tip #2 Break it down into milestones.

Often self-doubt comes from wanting to eat the elephant in one go. Look at what overwhelms you and break it down into pieces while holding onto your wider goal.

• Top Tip #3 Learn.

I bet you got to where you are today by giving yourself the permission to learn. Scared of something. Tackle it front on and learn from it.

• Top tip #4 Celebrate each small win.

Often we forget to appreciate the process that takes us to the end goal. We feel like “failures” (let’s review this language another day shall we?) at every hurdle until we actually deliver to our level of expectation. By breaking things down (Top tip 2), you can now appreciate the smaller wins of each journey. Positive reinforcement will give you strength to continue to believe in yourself.

• Top tip #5 Remember you are not alone

How reassuring is it to know that most if not all senior leaders around the world feel this imposter syndrome at times? Hold on to that thought and give yourself space to simply be.

Believe in yourself - everyone around you does.