While most of the employees I mentor are women, last week a male colleague — Charles — reached out to me about applying for a management role.  He didn’t think he was prepared to be a manager.  Charles is currently in an interim management position covering for someone on maternity leave.  He felt like he was pretending a lot in this temporary role.  He wasn’t sure he was doing the right things as a manager, and that his direct reports would realize he didn’t know what he was doing.  Charles was suffering from Imposter Syndrome!

What is Imposter Syndrome?

In case you haven’t yet heard of it before, imposter syndrome is a, “psychological pattern in which an individual doubts their accomplishments and has a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a ‘fraud'” (source).  It’s very common amongst professional women and, as I’m beginning to realize, men as well (source).

I cannot deny that I too, suffer from imposter syndrome from time to time.  Every time I’ve been promoted to a larger role, I’ve felt entirely unprepared for the job.  I worried that I didn’t know what I was doing and that someone else would realize it.  Over time, I would feel more confident in my abilities and it would go away.

That sounds horrible, how could this be a good thing?

Yes, it can be an unproductive thought pattern.  And it can deter capable employees from seeking out roles with more responsibilities.  Whenever I encounter someone with this thought pattern, I first try to explain that it is very common.

The more senior that I’ve become, the more I realize how self-doubt plagues even the most successful and senior leaders.  They, too, worry about things not going well, or that they aren’t capable and will be found out.  The big difference is that they use those thoughts productively.  In other words, they don’t let them deter them, but rather to drive them to take certain actions so they feel (and, therefore, are) more prepared for the challenges of the new job.

Therefore, if you use your Imposter Syndrome as a driver to take productive action, then I advocate that Imposter Syndrome can benefit your career.

How to Use Imposter Syndrome to Benefit Your Career

1. Understand your perceived gaps and make a plan

When I accepted a new position about 7 years ago, I was most worried about having to give presentations to senior level leaders.  I thought I wasn’t capable of answering their questions and speaking at their level.

Instead of letting that deter me from pursuing that position, I decided to enlist a presentation coach.  For instance, over the course of 6 months, he helped me with every presentation and practiced answering questions.

He gave me a lot of feedback — some of which was really hard to hear.  In the end, I ended up being successful in every presentation I delivered.  And, now, years later, I feel fully capable of giving these presentations on my own (though I do still get a wee bit nervous).

So, my point here is, in order to use your Imposter Syndrome to your benefit, first listen to what it tells you that you’re incapable of.  What is it you feel like you can’t do?  What are you worried you will be exposed on?  After that, make a plan to shore up that capability with formal training or coaching.

2.  Reach out to your network

You were promoted to a bigger role because likely, many people have confidence that you can do the job.  These same people will want to help you succeed.  Lean on that support network as you navigate the challenges of your new position.

Now, I wouldn’t show up at their doors saying, for example, “I do not feel prepared to manage people.”  I would, rather, schedule time with your key supporters and express something like, “I’m finding giving feedback to the direct reports who used to be my peers very challenging.  I’d like to understand how you have approached that in your career.”

In the end, I suspect you’ll find that your supporters will want to help you, and you get the input and advice you need to succeed.

3.  Pride in doing new things

You’re likely suffering from Imposter Syndrome because you’ve recently been promoted or have been given much more responsibility.  While it’s certainly uncomfortable to be in a new position you’re anxious about, you should be proud that you have challenged yourself.  In the end, once you overcome  the challenges you are facing in your new role, you should feel accomplished and proud.

Often times we feel the greatest achievement after we have struggled greatly and prevailed.  So, if you’re anxious about certain aspects of a new job you don’t feel ready for, you will be even that much more proud once you overcome them!

Over time, this should make it easier and easier to go through these transitions.  Likely, you won’t feel the sense of self-doubt as much the next time you transition to a bigger job since you’ll be experienced at managing these feelings to your benefit.

A Manager’s Perspective

While I am encouraging you to embrace these Imposter feelings, I want to caution you against sharing too much of your anxiety at work.  You don’t want to convey to your manager that you cannot handle your responsibilities.  Even worse, you don’t want him / her to doubt your capabilities.

That said, being transparent about the help you need to be successful is a very important part of being a leader.  As a leader myself, do you know who I worry most about?  It’s the ones that are always “OK” and never express any concern or doubt.  If you’re never worried about how something may go — especially when it’s new for you — then I wonder if you’re actually aware of the responsibilities you have.  However, if you’re a little concerned sometimes, and share the actions you’re taking, I’ll feel much more confident and will gladly support you.

In conclusion, I hope you can see how Imposter Syndrome can be beneficial to your career.  You should be careful not to let too much of it seep out, or it can be damaging.  However, sharing concerns and your plan is perfectly acceptable and, in fact, indicative of exceptional leadership.

I’d love to hear whether your experience Imposter Syndrome and how you overcome it in the comments below!

If you like this post, be sure to check out these:

• How to prepare for an interview for a management position
• 3 Tips for New Managers (and 3 Mistakes to Avoid)
• The 1 Thing That Will Improve Your Executive Presence

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