Imposter syndrome is easily in the top 10 subjects my clients bring to our sessions.
What is Imposter Syndrome?
It’s the pervasive feeling of not being good enough, of being a fraud, and it comes with a deep fear of being found out. It often shows up after a promotion or starting a new job, but can be triggered by any change in the work environment that causes uncertainty.
In nearly every case, the underlying cause is a fear of not being qualified for the job at hand. While there can be many beliefs that this fear is built on, there’s a very quick and easy way to start working through them – ask for regular, consistent feedback.
How to Ask for Feedback
There are two vital sources of feedback for most leaders: your immediate manager, and your teammates. If you’re not having regular (meaning at least twice a month) one-on-one meetings with both of them, you need to start. Here’s how:
Meet Regularly with your Manager
Ask your manager if you can set up bi-weekly meetings, and identify the following:
- What does success look like for your role?
- What specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals are in place to measure your progress?
- What are your strengths and growth areas?
- What should you be focusing on between this meeting and the next?
- What can your manager do to support you?
Meet Regularly with your Teammates
Whether you have direct reports or not, building relationships with your team is incredibly important, and asking for this type of feedback will build a high degree of trust. There is really one question that matters more than anything, and it will spark a lot of conversation!
- What can I do to help you and the team do the best work of your lives?
Changing Your Mindset
When those fearful imposter syndrome feelings arise, take some time to journal on these questions:
- What is the exact thing you’re afraid of?
- What data do you have to support your belief?
- What data do you have to contradict your belief?
- What’s a different way of looking at your belief?
- What can you do to investigate?
With an open, curious mind, look at what you can support with facts. If you’re curious about something in particular, you’ve now built up a foundation of trust with your manager and team so you can ask directly. Don’t let those beliefs fester and build up. Find out what’s behind them and get the facts!
If you’d like to explore this in person, click here to schedule a free 30-minute exploration call.
ICF-Certified Conscious Leadership Coach
I enable leaders to increase their impact by exploring their beliefs, behaviors, and language. By shining a light on unconscious patterns, I help them establish a new way of being that brings self-awareness, emotional intelligence, confidence, and better relationships. These skills enable leaders to:
- Embrace vulnerability
- Build trust and psychological safety with their teams
- Clearly communicate individual and team goals, and hold accountability
- Communicate with intention, authenticity, and compassion
- Give and receive feedback that enables learning, development, and deeper relationships
- Solve difficult decisions
- Face the future with optimism, enthusiasm, and energy
- Resolve past difficulties and hurt
I have over 25 years of corporate experience, with expertise in coaching and organizational development. I have coached leaders at Roche Pharmaceuticals, the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, Danone, LinkedIn, and many natural products companies.
I am a graduate of Newfield Network’s Coaching for Personal and Professional Mastery program and am certified through the International Coach Federation. A longtime meditation practitioner, I emphasize conscious, mindful leadership, and business practices that benefit all.
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