Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Imposter syndrome is a concept where an individual doubts their accomplishments and has a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a “fraud.” Despite external evidence of their competence, those experiencing this phenomenon remain convinced that they are frauds and do not deserve the success they have achieved. They attribute their accomplishments to luck rather than to ability, and they fear that others will eventually unmask them as a fraud. This syndrome can affect anyone regardless of their social status, work background, skill level, or degree of expertise. It’s important to recognize that imposter syndrome isn’t a disease—it usually means you’re facing a new challenge and you’re going to learn. Feeling uncertainty is a precursor to growth. It’s crucial to courageously choose to believe in yourself. You’re worth it, and you’ll get there.

12 Practical Steps To Renewed Confidence

To overcome imposter syndrome, it’s important to apply practical steps that can help you shift your mindset and build confidence in your abilities. Here are some steps Marshall Goldsmith Stakeholder Centered Coaching®  recommends:

1. Acknowledge Your Feelings:

Recognize that imposter syndrome is a common experience and that it’s okay to feel this way. Accepting your feelings is the first step towards overcoming them.

2. Challenge Your Negative Thoughts: 

When you doubt your accomplishments, challenge these thoughts by looking for evidence that contradicts the idea that you’re a fraud. Remember your past successes and the hard work you’ve put into achieving them.

3. Focus on Your Strengths: 

Make a list of your strengths and achievements. Reflect on the value you bring to your role and the positive impact you’ve had. This can help counter feelings of inadequacy.

4. Set Realistic Goals: 

Avoid setting yourself up for failure with unattainable goals. Instead, set achievable objectives that you can work towards, which will help build your confidence as you meet them.

5. Seek Support from Others: 

Talk to mentors, colleagues, or a coach about your feelings. They can provide perspective, reassurance, and advice. Sometimes, just voicing your concerns can diminish their power.

6. Celebrate Your Successes: 

When you accomplish something, take the time to celebrate it. This reinforces your self-worth and helps you internalize your achievements.

7. Reframe Failure as a Learning Opportunity: 

Understand that everyone makes mistakes and that they are opportunities to learn and grow, not evidence of incompetence.

8. Avoid Comparing Yourself to Others: 

Everyone’s journey is different. Focus on your own path and progress rather than measuring yourself against others.

9. Practice Self-Compassion: 

Be kind to yourself. Treat yourself as you would treat a friend who is experiencing self-doubt.

10. Visualize Success: 

Imagine yourself succeeding in your role. Visualization can be a powerful tool for building confidence and reducing feelings of being an imposter.

11. Speak Up for Yourself: 

Practice self-advocacy by acknowledging and claiming your achievements. Don’t downplay your contributions.

12. Expose the Fallacy of Either/Or Thinking: 

Recognize that you don’t have to be a “shameless self-promoter” or a “self-effacing martyr.” There’s a middle ground where you can confidently acknowledge your abilities and successes.

Remember, overcoming imposter syndrome is a process. Be patient with yourself and recognize that each step you take is progress. It takes time and consistent effort to change deeply ingrained thought patterns.  Or a solid and recognized coaching process like Stakeholder Centered Coaching®.

How Coaching Can Assist

Coaching can be particularly effective in helping leaders overcome imposter syndrome by leveraging the power of external feedback and support. Here’s how the Stakeholder Centered Coaching® methodology works in this context:

1. Objective Feedback:

By engaging stakeholders to provide feedback, leaders receive an objective assessment of their strengths and areas for improvement. This can counter the self-doubt that fuels imposter syndrome by providing concrete evidence of their capabilities and the value they bring to the organization.

2. Focus on Strengths: 

Stakeholders often highlight a leader’s strengths, which can help the leader internalize their positive attributes and achievements, rather than attributing success to external factors like luck.

3. Actionable Steps for Improvement: 

The coaching process helps leaders identify specific behaviors to change, which can improve self-efficacy as they see tangible progress in their leadership abilities.

4. Supportive Environment: 

Stakeholders are enlisted as allies in the leader’s development, creating a supportive environment that can reduce feelings of isolation often associated with imposter syndrome.

5. Regular Check-Ins and Feedback Loops: 

The structured follow-ups with stakeholders provide ongoing opportunities for leaders to hear how they are perceived, which can gradually shift their self-perception and reduce feelings of being an imposter.

6. Celebrating Successes: 

As leaders make progress and stakeholders acknowledge their improvements, the coaching process ensures that these successes are celebrated, reinforcing the leader’s sense of competence and achievement.

7. Building Confidence: 

By working on behaviors that stakeholders have identified and receiving positive reinforcement for changes, leaders build confidence in their role, which is key to overcoming imposter syndrome.

8. Developing Humility and Respect: 

The process requires leaders to practice humility and respect, acknowledging that they are a work in progress. This mindset can help leaders accept that feeling like an imposter is a natural part of growth and development.

By focusing on measurable improvements and leveraging the support of stakeholders, leaders can overcome the self-doubt and fear of exposure that characterize imposter syndrome, and instead, develop a more grounded and confident view of their leadership abilities.

Learn More With These Tools

Take advantage of Marshall Goldsmith Stakeholder Centered Coaching® tools! The organization understands the challenges professionals face and offers you a variety of resources and programs designed to support you on your path to greater confidence and professional success as a leader or coach.

A free online course, personal development tools, or a comprehensive certification program: MGSCC has everything you need to overcome imposter syndrome and achieve your career goals. Get started today.