Looks like the imposter syndrome isn't such a bad thing after all!
Discover more from And It's Up to You! by Antoine Martin
Looks like the imposter syndrome isn't such a bad thing after all!
Being an imposter sucks, becoming a superhero is a lot more fun! All it takes is a decision to shift angles.
TL;DR:
Imposter Syndrome discussions are one of the most common things when you have to deal with change management.
They're usually seen as a problem, but they show strength and huge superpower potential. Grant says it too!
Don't lose another day wondering why you're not fit for duty. Suck it up, work on it, and sign-up 👇 to keep upgrading yourself.
One topic keeps coming up again and again during the discussions I have with all types of people - it’s called the imposter syndrome.
That thing tends to make me smile - “oh boy, here we go again…” - but the reality is that the topic is both interesting and, as it turns out, pretty cool, and pretty trendy too!
What's interesting about the imposter syndrome
Imposter syndrome discussions are interesting, because they show how easily people doubt themselves when they feel like they have to perform into something new, that's usually out of their comfort zone.
Why me? Why would they trust what I say when others are better at it and have a stronger reputation? Why would they listen, even? Why would they pay, I don't have the credentials!
Heard that before, right?
Of course, that's a typical thing, and various types of profiles struggle with that question on a routine basis.
Some are entrepreneurs who find it difficult to build leadership, or to defend an innovative concept others might not believe into.
Some are talented people with a lot of potential who wonder how to step into a new role and set a standard others will follow.
Others are people who need to sell something (including their own talent!) to someone(s) but miss the right hook to position themselves in a value-creating position.
You see the idea - there's a pattern here: mixing performance and unknown leads to uncertainty. And uncertainty can be tough to handle, however good you are at doing stuff.
Still, does feeling like the imposter in the room need to be a thing. No.
Do you have any reason to feel bad about what you want to do next? If you're not a liar looking to cheat on people, no.
Is there a way to deal with the thing? Yes. There’s a few, actually.
Why the imposter syndrome is a pretty cool issue to deal with.
So, people tend to feel embarrassed about the topic, right? Still, it's a cool issue to deal with and a great discussion to have.
It's a cool issue to deal with, because digging into what motivates people is always interesting in my line of business.
You get to learn about them, but even better you get to make them think differently about themselves and that's a kickass thing to do.
And it's a great discussion to have, because it suggests that the person you're talking to is capable of questioning their strengths and abilities when others are so sure about themselves that they don't question anything.
That shows responsibility, ownership, and potential.
Think about it for a second.
Would you rather work with someone… who thinks nothing can stop them, not even the walls they can't see? Or with someone who sees they're facing a wall and wonders how to go past that wall in a way that makes sense for everyone?
The reality is, those who dare talking about having doubts about their ability to perform are just a tiny bit away from leveraging a superpower that's in there somewhere, awaiting to be released.
And superpowers are cool.
How, though?
Think about it this way.
The issue is not how people see you, it's how you see you, and how you think that image affects your image.
Focus on your own superpowers for a while!
What are you good at doing that they can't do?
What experience do you have that they don't have? Successes, but also unsuccessful attempts that teach you things!
What life-changing abilities do you have that others don't have?
What difference can you make that's going to make them save/make time or money, or build skills, or solve a problem that get people stuck?
Think in terms of blind spots. What are the things you know you don't know (yes, you read that well) - can you learn about them to upgrade yourself?
Can you ask anyone feedback about the strengths they see in you?
Take a moment to make a list, these are your basic superpowers and it's time to leverage them!
Can't make that list on your own? Hit reply, get in touch, we'll get you up and running in no time.
Did I mention the Imposter Syndrome is also trendy?
The discussion can be a little counterintuitive, but that's okay.
One, the only way to grow is to get out of your comfort zone. That's called change management and the best way to deal with it is to deal with it. Go for it.
Two, I keep having that discussion with people and I've seen huge evolution just by discussing this - it works.
Interestingly though, while the topic has long been a form of taboo people didn't want to talk about (because it implies admitting a weakness, or at list a discomfort), more people are trying to kill the fuss and drama that surrounds it.
Read this article on how Warton business psychology Professor Adam Grant discusses it, you'll see similarities.
Wrap up time - drop the imposter, be your superhero.
Long things short - feeling like you are the imposter in your own chair sucks, and the power to become your own superhero is just under your nose, waiting to be discovered.
Now that you know, it's easy to start upgrading yourself, to build confidence, skills and trust. What are you waiting for?
As always, feel free to hit reply, I'll be around.
Until next time,
A.