Our achievements can sometimes feel like they’re moving faster than we are, that we are not yet the person we’ve created through hard work. This is a common psychological response when we step into a new role known as imposter syndrome. This feeling can overpower us in some cases, making us worry that we are not good enough or capable of handling the role. It is important to recognize that giving in to this feeling is not allowing you to move forward.
However, “not giving in” is a lot easier said than done, especially when we are competing against ourselves. Yet, having this feeling is a good reflection of your character, it shows you have humility. In a leadership role, humility is a defining characteristic of great leaders. This is in contrast to leaders who lack humility and almost have a sense of entitlement to possess power.
The first thing to do when you begin doubting yourself is to think back to everything you’ve been through to get to this point. If you’ve just been promoted, think of all the late nights, early mornings, and sacrifices it took to get there. Think of the times your staying power was tested but you knew what you were doing was worth it.
You want this added layer of confidence to do your job effectively, but overcoming your inner voice can be very challenging. When this is the case, it’s important to know how to gain your confidence back. Not only is this important for yourself, but it is pivotal to effectively complete tasks and reach objectives. If you are in a leadership role, imposter syndrome can loom over your ability to lead others. The risks for not taming imposter syndrome stack up.
With that said, let's look at what you can do to solve it:
Seek Out Advancement
People can be doing a great job in the position they’re currently in, an opportunity for advancement in the company can come up but they won’t go after it. Why won’t they go after it? It’s simple, they don’t think they can handle it. However, it’s important to know that this will lead to someone else in the role to which you may or may not agree with their leadership.
Know your worth and you set your standards. Why settle for less when you know you can do more? If the ideas you bring to the table can benefit the organization, then holding them back is a disservice.
Ask Questions
A lot of times stepping into a role you’re nervous about will make you feel like you should know everything. This is never the case, don’t feel that you should go into it knowing everything, be curious and observe. No matter what position you’re in you should always ask questions up and down the hierarchy. Now with this, you’ll need to ensure that the questions you ask are meaningful.
Again, humility is important but too much humility can make you seem incompetent. Questions regarding areas you need to be caught up to speed on should, by all means, be asked. On the other hand, if there is something you can answer yourself by simply doing research or observing, then do that.
Find Supportive People
Working with others means being part of a team. Members must support each other, which means there is a level of trust established within the team. Cohesion within the organization will allow production processes to operate much more smoothly. Communication can flow much more effectively and issues can be handled without confusion. In addition, a trusted support group will build your comfort being in this new position. Once you identify the people you can depend on, you can build a network.
Conclusion
Feeling out of place in a new position is normal, it reflects well on your care and consideration for the task at hand. While this humility is a good trait for a leader, it does have the power to hinder your ability to oversee your duties effectively. Recognize times when you need to ask for help and use your emotional intelligence to assess each new challenge.
You will inevitably find ways to build this comfort in your new role. While they may not always make you want to jump at the challenge, they will have their pay off. Don't be afraid to take risks, discomfort is what will mold you into a competent leader.
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