Posted: Jan. 11, 2024, 7:35 a.m.
When I first started my Ph.D. program, I came in thinking pretty highly of myself. I have two master's degrees, 20+ years of management experience, and a healthy ego about my intellect. However, it didn’t take long for me to start to doubt myself—I was surrounded by people so much smarter than me, and there was so much I didn’t know, I even started to question whether I belonged there at all.
How could that be? What happened to my confidence? What about my experiences? I was experiencing imposter syndrome.
This is a pretty common experience for first-time managers. Once you recognize what you’re experiencing and feeling, there are five ways that will help you work through feeling like an imposter so you can better manage your team and lead.
First, what is Imposter Syndrome? How do you know if you have it?
Imposter Syndrome, simply put, is the feeling of being a fraud and doubting your abilities. Interestingly enough, studies show it disproportionately affects high achievers—but the good news is that you can work to overcome that feeling by taking the right steps.
5 Ways to Overcome Imposter Syndrome at Work
1. Recognize that it is normal, especially for first-time managers.
Think about it. You were an expert or at least good at what you did before you got promoted—so much so that someone thought you could lead others. But most people don't walk into their first supervisor position having been trained on how to manage and lead.
Even if you were one of the lucky ones who got some training, you certainly won’t be an expert right away. If you’re a manager who wants to offer that training to your team or experience it yourself, contact me about a workshop with Effectiveness Consultants.
2. Recognize you're not alone.
Studies have found that 70% of people have experienced imposter syndrome. They report feeling isolated and depressed, which is an easy trap to fall into when you get stuck in a cycle of negative thoughts.
But, remember that you’re not alone. Everyone has felt this way at one point or another. It’s important to share your thoughts with somebody.
Talk to a trusted mentor, a friend, or a close co-worker. Oftentimes, they can help you realign your thinking to the things you're doing well.
You can also talk to your manager. You don't want to say, “I feel like an imposter,” but you can ask for specific feedback on what you are doing well.
3. Reframe your thoughts.
Another powerful way to combat imposter syndrome at the source is to reframe your thoughts. You're good at some things, otherwise, you wouldn't have been hired.
What are those things you are good at? If we focus on the things we're good at, it can help us let go of some of those more negative thoughts.
4. Recognize you don’t have to be the best at everything.
I stopped struggling with imposter syndrome when I finally recognized that it's okay to not be the best at everything.
One of the things I realized in my Ph.D. program was that I enjoyed having people around me who were that much smarter than me. I could learn from them and become a better thinker and a better writer by being around them. I do the same thing as a manager.
I look for people who are doing things better than—or maybe just different from—me. I look for how I can integrate those skills into my leadership and management.
So, stop and reflect on your situation. Write down the things you're good at in your job. Then focus on those things and recognize that you're there for a reason.
5. Embrace your “weaknesses” and get curious.
A lot of our doubt stems from uncertainty. If you’re new to a management role, you may feel insecure about your ability to lead.
Even if you don’t have the hours as a manager, chances are you’ve led before. Look for examples in your own life of the skills you wish you had. I’ll bet you’ll find some real-life experience to back you up. You can also attend development workshops where you meet other managers in similar positions facing what you’re feeling as well.
You will undoubtedly experience imposter syndrome throughout your career and life, but you are not alone and you can overcome those feelings.
If you’ve found this article helpful and want to learn more about overcoming challenges many new managers face, learn more about my development training workshops for new managers, or contact me to learn more about what Effectiveness Consultants can do for you and your team.