4 Ways to Battle the Impostor Syndrome

4 Ways to Battle theImpostor Syndrome

www.ExecutiveCareerSuccess.com

Kim MeningerExecutive Coach & Career [email protected]

You’ve been asked to take on a new challenge.

You immediately feel excited and honored to be selected for the

opportunity.

But, anxiety quickly kicks in and feelings of self-doubt begin to

emerge.


You tell yourself:

“I’m not qualified for this. At any moment,others will realize that I’m a fraud.”

What you’re experiencingis the impostor syndrome.


Impostor Syndrome

The impostor syndrome is a social psychology term used to describe the sense that your

accomplishments or opportunities are unwarranted.


“Symptoms” of Impostor Syndrome

If you’re an executive struggling with the impostor syndrome, you:• Feel like a fraud.• Believe you’ve deceived others about your

abilities.• Worry that you will soon be exposed.


• Many executives struggle with the impostor syndrome at one time or another.

• It’s most common among high performers – those who actually are qualified to do the job.

• It can be useful, driving us to work harder and be more competitive in our roles.


If the impostor syndrome is disruptive to you, here are four ways to battle it.


1. Ensure that expectations are clear• Increased responsibility is exciting, but

also anxiety provoking.

• A great source of anxiety is lack of clarity about what’s expected of you.

• In any new situation, understand your executive team’s goals, expectations, and challenges.

• Ensure that you are armed with as much information as possible before getting started.


2. Focus on Your Strengths• Most of us take our strengths and talents for

granted and focus on our weaknesses instead.

• When feeling insecure, take inventory of your strengths/accomplishments.

– What differentiates you from others?

• This will boost your confidence and de-emphasize areas where you’re not as strong.


3. Leverage your resources.• You have a highly

powerful skill set, but you can’t do everything.

• When the pressure is on, it can be hard to give up control or delegate to others.

• To successfully achieve your goals, though, you’ll need a strong team.


4. Seek External Feedback

• If you’re unsure about your performance, seek immediate feedback.

• Ask your leadership team and trusted colleagues for input.

• Regular feedback will help you identify and address issues early in the process.

• Positive feedback will increase your confidence.


Experiencing Impostor Syndrome?• Recognize that this is a very

normal experience.

• Most highly successful executives have felt this way at some point during their careers.

• If you’re struggling, apply these four steps.

• And if you still need support, contact me for help with a personalized strategy.



Get your complimentary copy of:5 Surefire Signs It’s Time to Change Your

Executive Career &

The Most Powerful Step You Can Take Today to Launch Your New Executive Career

Kim MeningerExecutive Coach & Career [email protected]

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