Imposter Syndrome can be a Good Thing

Struggling in new situations can be a good thing but some of us have a deeper issue with Imposter Syndrome that may need different coping mechanisms.

In Never Stop Learning this week I will be covering the following 1-2-3:

• One Big Thing - learning to cope with Imposter Syndrome

• Two Recommendations

  • A great podcast covering ways to combat anxiety

  • An inspirational video on a better way to live your life

• My Top 3 articles of the week

Enjoy.

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One Big Thing: Imposter Syndrome can be a Good Thing

It was our first big meeting with our new boss.

We knew he was coming in to our team meeting so we all were prepared to sit up straight and give our best to the meeting. His slot wasn’t for another few minutes so we finished giving our updates to the group while he listened intently.

When his time came to talk the first thing he said surprised me.

I’d never heard such a senior manager say it before. In fact I’ve never heard anyone so senior admit this.

He said he didn’t think he was good enough to be there.

What? Of course he was.

I’d heard him talk many times in other meetings. Usually these were hundreds of people. I’d heard him speak at large conferences and I knew he regularly met with senior members of the Civil Service and Government Ministers.

He is obviously a high flier with a high intellect.

So why didn’t he think he should be there? Why did he think he wasn’t good enough?

He spent a few minutes explaining what this Imposter Syndrome meant for him.

He was acutely aware that it was almost a disability for him that he’d overcome. In actual fact, he was still overcoming it but had developed coping mechanisms. It was so surprising but so refreshing to hear someone so senior talk in a way that felt vulnerable but at the same time show real trust with the team.

Being vulnerable and talking about it was his coping mechanism.

He’s found that by being open about his Imposter Syndrome he is able to cope better. This allows him to deal with the issue in his head and thanked us for listening to him.

He thanked us because he knew that the simple act of him talking and us listening was helping.

This is a totally different type of leadership to what I’d seen in the past but it was also a window into a Imposter Syndrome and my reflections of that first meeting have helped me to understand my struggles with it too.

In essence there are two main types of Imposter Syndrome with one being more troublesome and the other being something we should seek out.

Let me explain.

Type 1

The type of Imposter Syndrome experienced by my boss can be severely debilitating but it comes about despite evidence to the contrary. People who suffer with this type have been in these situations many times. They know they can deliver a presentation to 1,000 people, they can deliver high quality under pressure; they know their stuff.

And yet despite the evidence they still feel as though they aren’t good enough.

Type 2

The second type is to be sought out. This is where growth occurs.

It is a similar argument to ensuring we have enough stress in our lives. If we constantly walk into a room feeling comfortable or going through the motions on tasks that are easy for us we can begin to stagnate.

It is important that we put ourselves in situations where we don’t feel comfortable. We are experiencing new things, learning new skills and meeting new people.

This is when we are in growth.

Knowing where you are between these two types at a particular time or situation will help you decide on whether action is needed.

If you’re experiencing new things and you’re in Type 2 then all good. Just be aware of your personality type and whether your good stress isn’t tipping into bad stress and overwhelm.

Journaling can really help you here.

But if you find yourself constantly in Type 1 then you may need to develop coping mechanisms.

Again, journaling can help but you might also want to pay attention to the voice in your head. How are you talking to yourself in these situations?

Sometimes we can reframe a situation just by the language we use to talk to ourselves.

For example, I have been practicing how I approach presentations. I used to get so nervous I would visibly shake. I’d have a horrible feeling in my stomach. I would dread it for days in advance.

I’ve taken this feeling and reframed it. The physical reaction here is not far different to the physical reaction we get when we’re excited.

So that’s what I do, I tell myself that I’m excited.

I’m excited to share what I know with the audience because I know they will be interested to here it. That has been a game changer.

So, talk to yourself in a kind and supportive way. After all, if we cant be supportive to ourselves then who will be?

I’d love to hear your experiences of Imposter Syndrome and how you have managed to overcome it.

OR maybe you have tried to put yourself in more situations where you feel Imposter Syndrome. I’d love to hear about those too!

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Two Recommendations - what to consume this week

1. Leading Psychologist: How to Finally Overcome Stress & Anxiety - Dr Julie Smith

I have been a fan of Julie’s book (Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before?) for a long time now but until this podcast I hadn’t heard her speak. In this podcast you will find different ways to reframe some of your stresses and anxieties which makes it a nice companion to today’s post.

2. Don’t waste your life - lost in admiration

I discovered Daria’s YouTube Channel this week. She covers some interesting topics around how to live a better life. This channel is an undiscovered gem in the seat of mediocrity on YouTube.

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Top 3 articles of the week

Finding great articles on Substack can be difficult. Fear not, I have been digging deep into the discovery areas of the platform so you don’t have to.

Here are my top three posts to read this week:

Lazy Leadership by

Michael Woudenberg

of

Polymathic Being

The Elements of Creativity and Generative AI by

Mark Palmer

of

Techno Sapien

I’m Done Optimizing Myself for My Wedding by

Kimia Dargahi

of

Ruminations

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Substack Recommendations

A big part of this newsletter is the community we are building. Never Stop Learning recommends these Substacks that I suggest you check out.

3 Ideas on Sunday

Be The Best U...

Something Greater

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Last week’s post

In case you missed it:

Practical Ideas for Navigating the Confusing World of Smartphones

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Thank you for reading and see you next week.