3 Tips To Combat Imposter Syndrome In The Workplace
"I don't know what I'm doing."
How often do you have that feeling? Whether it's a new project we have been given to lead or a major presentation we are expected to deliver, as women, we will find ourselves in a mini-state of panic because we feel ill-equipped for these opportunities. "Imposter Syndrome", officially identified in 1978 by two psychologists, Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes, is that nagging and destructive mindset of inferiority that keeps whispering:
"You don't know what you're talking about."
"You're unqualified."
"You don't deserve this success."
"You're a fraud."
This self-doubt is what keeps us from pursuing our dream jobs, advocating for ourselves, showcasing our expertise in the workplace, negotiating for the money we deserve, and even launching the businesses we are passionate about. But before we take that negative energy into 2020, here are 3 ways to kick imposter syndrome to the curb:
1.Reflect on how you got here.
Unless you have a fairy godmother who has handed you every single opportunity to date, you have had to work and earn your way through your career. You had to complete your degree, you had to wow interviewers, you had to demonstrate your knowledge and experience to be assigned your current role in the first place. When I feel imposter syndrome creeping in, I tend to ask myself the seemingly silly but honest question, "If I truly were a fraud, wouldn't someone have figured it out by NOW?"
And reflect the achievements that you have realized over the course of your career. Those didn't happen by chance. No one else put the work in and just signed your name at the bottom. You had to dig your heels in and get it done yourself. Accept the fact that you have had an active role in your success thus far, and you truly belong where you are right now.
2.Eliminate comparisons.
Part of what will keep you doubting your own abilities is the comparison with other people next to you. "Stacy is five years younger than me, and look at what she's doing. She knows way more than I do. I'll just let her lead the project instead." "Kevin just got here last month, and he's already wowing management. There's no way for me to compete with him."
STOP IT. What someone else knows has nothing to do with what you know. What someone else has done cannot diminish what you can or have already accomplished. Don't sell yourself or your expertise short because you are looking to the left and right instead of straight ahead. Never forget that you are the powerhouse that has been selected because of the results and value that only YOU can consistently deliver.
3.Use imposter syndrome to show out!
You're probably thinking "Girl whet? I thought imposter syndrome was a bad thing." Yes it is, if you allow it to simmer and hinder you. But you can actually turn that negative energy into a positive push to take your performance to the next level.
Let me tell you a quick story. When I was assigned to lead a major cross-functional project in my first finance position, I left the director's office scared to death. I honestly had no idea why she picked me, and I was pretty sure I was going to fail miserably. To be completely transparent, I was literally shaking at my desk. So I got up, went to the bathroom, and gave myself a quick pep talk, "You can either fail and prove yourself right or you can knock this project out of the park and prove yourself wrong. What's it gonna be?" Right then, I chose the latter. Fast forward to the end of the project, I saved the company $4M and I received a promotion.
It is up to you to control your mindset and where you allow it to take you. It is up to you to speak positively to yourself and make the decision right now that imposter syndrome can either limit you or empower you to be the boss chick you already know you are. So, I'm asking you the same question I asked myself 11 years ago when I took on that project: "What's it gonna be?"
Want more stories like this? Sign up for our newsletter here and check out the related reads below:
5 Ways To Overcome Impostor Syndrome
Self-Affirmations For When You're Feeling Inadequate
5 PhD Students Reveal How They Combat Impostor Syndrome
Rejection At Its Finest: You're Still The Ish After Constantly Being Told No
Featured image by Shutterstock
- A third of millennials suffering from 'imposter syndrome' in the ... ›
- Seven Ways I've Learned From Other Women To Fight Imposter ... ›
- 5 ways to deal with impostor syndrome at work ›
- How to Beat Imposter Syndrome in the Workplace ›
- How Impostor Syndrome Is Holding You Back at Work ›
- 5 Ways to Beat Imposter Syndrome at Work ›
- 15 Ways To Overcome 'Imposter Syndrome' In The Workplace ›
- Why imposter syndrome persists in the workplace, and how to deal ... ›
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Rihanna Talks Shedding Expectations And Finding Balance As A Mother
Since becoming a mother in 2022, Rihanna has defined parenthood by her terms and hopes to pass that sense of autonomy on to her children.
For Vogue China’s April cover story, Rihanna shared her perspective on raising her two sons with A$AP Rocky, and how she hopes to preserve her children’s uniqueness, devoid of societal expectations.
"The most beautiful thing...is that [children] come into the world with their own individuality and sincerity, without any logic or conformity,” she told the publication. “Which usually makes you feel that you must fit into a certain group."
The “Work” artist, known for her trendsetting style and captivating persona, expressed her desire to support children in fully embracing their individuality and encouraging them to be whoever they want to be. "It's really beautiful to see and I want to continue to help them navigate that and make sure that they know they can be whoever they want to be,” she says.
She continues, “They should embrace it completely, because it's beautiful, and it's unique. I love them just that way."
From shattering music charts to shaking up the beauty industry, Rihanna has forged a path that has since created the “dream” life we see today. One that she says has made her parents proud of.
“I’m living my dream,” she continued. “My parents were very proud of that because they just wanted me to be happy and successful. So, I think the key thing is to find some kind of balance. Yes, balance is important. Do this and you get the best of both worlds. You can write your own life the way you want, and it will be beautiful. Sometimes, you just need to let go of everyone’s expectations and start living your own story.”
Rihanna, who shares sons, RZA, 23 months, and Riot, 8 months, with rapper A$AP Rocky, recently shared her vision for expanding her family in the future in Interview Magazine.
When stylist Mel Ottenberg asked about the number of additional children she hoped to have, Rihanna replied, "As many as God wants me to have.”
"I don't know what God wants, but I would go for more than two. I would try for my girl,” she adds. “But of course, if it's another boy, it's another boy."
Featured image by Neil MockfordWireImage