You’re a fraud. You don’t deserve the promotion you were just given. You can’t get the job done. You’re not like the rest of the leaders in the organization.
These thoughts run through the mind of hundreds of thousands of leaders every day. Imposter syndrome rings loud in their ears.
Maybe imposter syndrome is telling you the same lies.
Photo by Sander Sammy on Unsplash
Imposter syndrome is the doubting of your abilities and feeling like a fraud. It’s the feeling that you’re not good enough, qualified enough, or talented enough to lead.
We’re going to smack imposter syndrome in the face today. We’re going to look at how to overcome imposter syndrome so you can lead with confidence.
How To Identify Imposter Syndrome
Imposter syndrome is easy to identify. If you see any of the following in yourself, you may have imposter syndrome:
- You work too much and too hard: This is a sign of imposter syndrome because you feel like your work is never good enough or finished.
- You seek constant feedback: Every step in your work process needs feedback from another leader or a mentor. You seek the validation because you need to know that you’re good enough.
- You people please: You’re scared to rock the boat, so you go along with everyone else. There’s no one you’re not willing to please to feel validated.
- You compare yourself to others: Comparison is a way to see how you measure up against someone else. We often do this because we feel like an imposter.
Identifying imposter syndrome is the first step in overcoming it. We also have to battle imposter syndrome and rid it from our lives if we want to lead with confidence.
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: 6 Ways To Lead With Confidence
What are the strategies for conquering imposter syndrome? I’m glad you asked. I have 6 sure-fire ways for you to lead with confidence.
1. Be decisive:
Leaders who make and stick with their decisions tend to have more confidence than those who waffle about with their decisions. Think about the last time you failed to make a decision. Did you feel good about yourself? Did you feel confident? Probably not. You felt like you weren’t capable.
Instead, make decisions when they’re presented to you. You may have to research a solution or an idea, but you have to decide what to do.
2. Listen to others:
You pick up on their ideas, mindsets, and rationale by listening to others. You can use this to be more confident.
As you listen, you learn about others. Use what you learn to better yourself and help those you listen to. You’ll soon discover that you know others better than they know themselves!
3. Stay positive:
When you let negative thoughts creep into your mind, you’re going to lose confidence. So fight that imposter’s voice by staying positive.
Look on the bright side. See what you learned. Find out who else would’ve made the same decision.
Staying positive will help you stay confident!
4. Be proactive:
If you’re not proactive, you’re reactive. This puts you in a position where you feel less in control than you already do.
When a situation arises, be the first to seek a solution. Find ways to stop a problem before the problem ever develops.
5. Build positive relationships:
Our relationships can make or break us. Build those positive relationships that will uplift you when you feel less than.
Building a robust and positive friend group will encourage and build you up. Find friends that will do this while telling you the truth.
6. Invest in yourself:
Want to feel more confident? Want to beat the imposter syndrome? Then invest in yourself.
Investing in yourself means you:
- Spend money on quality books or audio lessons
- Invest in leadership coaching
- Go to conferences
- Seek professional counseling
Each of these will move you forward in your personal and professional life.
