A Senior Leader’s Guide to Overcoming Imposter Syndrome at Work
In a recent episode of the Return on
Intelligence podcast, Rich Fernandez spoke with Cecily Mak, the founder of the
ClearLife community, about cultivating a powerful mindset as a high-performing
senior leader. Despite her remarkable career in high-growth startups across
industries like media, technology, and cryptocurrency, Cecily faced her own
battles with imposter syndrome. Through her journey, she crafted a blueprint
for overcoming these feelings, emphasizing that the key lies in deepening our
self-awareness.
From their insightful conversation,
here are some practical tips to help you tackle imposter syndrome in your
workplace. For a more in-depth understanding, check out the full episode below.
4 Tips
to Embrace Leadership as a Lifestyle Choice
Do you often feel like you need to
overcompensate at work because of self-doubt? Imposter syndrome can creep into
various aspects of your life, causing stress that extends from the boardroom to
your breakfast table. In your early years of senior leadership, the pressure to
validate your capabilities can lead to burnout and uncertainty. The good news?
You can approach these feelings with the same solutions-focused mindset you
apply to business challenges.
1.
Embrace Flexible Decision-Making
As a senior leader, your
decision-making impacts not just your colleagues, but also your family. You
might find yourself torn between attending a late status update meeting and
your child's recital. Adopting diverse frameworks for decision-making can boost
your confidence while balancing work and personal life. Since there's no
one-size-fits-all solution, expanding your toolkit for decision-making will
empower you to navigate challenges with greater ease.
2. Focus
on Your Vision
Imposter syndrome can lead to an
excessive preoccupation with potential setbacks, allowing fears to overshadow
your goals. Shift your attention back to your vision using this skiing
metaphor: aim between the trees. Concentrate on crossing the finish line rather
than letting obstacles distract you from being the effective leader you aspire
to be.
3. Build
Trust Through Boundaries
It might seem simple, but trusting
your team can significantly reduce the urge to overcompensate. Start by
acknowledging your team's achievements. You chose a talented group to support
the company's success, so if they are thriving, you can confidently log off at
the end of the day knowing they’ll handle challenges competently.
4. Seek
Intellectual Growth Outside of Work
In the hustle of leadership, it’s
easy to let work become your sole intellectual outlet. Don’t overlook the
challenges that arise from personal relationships and hobbies. Engaging with
these aspects of life can enhance your emotional intelligence, which is just as
crucial in your professional role as it is in your personal life.
The
Power of Self-Awareness
To combat performance anxiety,
accountability is key. Strong leaders steer the ship through stressful moments,
and self-awareness provides the clarity needed to identify resources for
problem-solving.
Manage
Your Emotions
Practicing mindfulness can foster
the emotional stability necessary to face imposter syndrome head-on. Mistakes
are inevitable, but emotional regulation helps you maintain perspective. When
you are calm, your team will look to you as a source of confidence, inspiring
them to overcome challenges.
Recognize
Your Limitations as Strengths
Admitting when you’re out of your
depth can actually strengthen your relationships with stakeholders. If you're
navigating complex tasks like Series C funding or legal consultations, it's
natural to have questions. Instead of feigning certainty, embrace vulnerability.
Open discussions about your uncertainties can build trust and engage your team
in finding solutions together.
Act on
Your Core Values
Enhancing your self-confidence
begins with aligning your actions with your values. A value-driven approach can
alleviate stress, guide your decision-making, and bolster your assertiveness.
Reflect on past decisions to identify the values that resonate with you most.
Next
Steps
If you’re grappling with imposter
syndrome, know you’re not alone—62% of knowledge workers worldwide share this
experience. To start your journey towards overcoming these feelings, explore
areas in your personal well-being that can benefit from increased
self-awareness, improved decision-making, and clearly communicated boundaries.
By recognizing how your curiosity and leadership can enhance other aspects of
your life, you'll feel less inadequate, reduce burnout, and boost your
confidence significantly.
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