Have you ever felt that no matter how hard you worked, you still don’t deserve your success? Does it keep you up at night, thinking that you have fooled others into believing you are so accomplished? If so, you may be like many other high-achieving people–afflicted with imposter syndrome.
Though high-achievers work extremely hard to reach their goals, many attribute their resulting success to luck. This is due to a lack of self-confidence, and there are five main forms of imposter syndrome that may be holding you back. Perfectionism, a constant need to prove you work harder than others, the belief that you must do everything correctly the first time, the intense desire to do everything by yourself, and the fear of being labeled an expert which leads
to gathering information constantly.
Imposter syndrome can negatively affect your leadership abilities, so what can you do about it?
Celebrate Your Ignorance
Whether you are starting a new job, a new position, or undertaking a difficult task, you may feel as if you aren’t qualified. However, this very same flaw can provide a lot of benefit to your job or entrepreneurial endeavor. When you come into a situation fresh, you can offer an outsider’s perspective that may be sorely needed. You can push innovation to the forefront because you do not know enough. You can ask the questions no one is asking because they already have an adequate answer. Your ignorance can lead to innovative questions.
As a leader, your imposter syndrome can help you empathize with your staff. You can build a workplace or business that encourages honesty, trust, and vulnerability.
Cultivate a Learning Mindset
For most people, imposter syndrome rears its hideous head because you are operating in a performance mindset. All of your efforts are based on your performance, so if you do poorly, this can lead to beliefs that you are inadequate. To counteract this distorted belief, try shifting your mindset so that learning is the highest priority. When you focus on the learning process, you may be able to see that your mistakes are a natural part of the process. As you stretch yourself, there are bound to be some ripples as your identity adjusts.
Reminding your employees that their performance isn’t the ultimate barometer can foster a learning mindset, which can lead to less stress, higher performance, and increased teamwork.
Remember That You Aren’t the Only One
If you meet someone who has never doubted themselves, you should doubt their words. This is true for leaders, as well. According to a survey conducted by Vantage Hill Partners, which polled 27 executives, presidents, and other high-ranking officials, their greatest fear was that they would be deemed incompetent.
You are not alone. Everyone plasters on a confident exterior, at one time or another. Underneath it is the gnawing doubts that flit through your own mind. Am I good enough? Have I learned enough? Will I offer enough benefits to the world?
Asking this question is useful for yourself and your company, to some extent, as long as you remember the definition of “enough”:
An adequate quantity or number; sufficiency.
The definition speaks of having the perfect amount for any given task.
The next time these self-defeating thoughts crop up, perhaps ask, “How can I learn more?” or “What are some ways I can provide more benefits?”
You are enough to lead, inspire, and change the world.
Never forget that.
