5 Ways to Overcome “Imposter Syndrome” in the Workplace

One of the hardest questions I've ever been asked is: “What do you do?”

It sounds simple. But as an entrepreneur, it triggers an immediate chill down my spine. I’m sure you’ll recognize it too: it’s that innate feeling of self-doubt otherwise known as imposter syndrome.

That’s because, when you run your own businesses, it can be easy to not quite realize the sheer scope of everything you do - or to be able to sum it up in a job title. Put on the spot, the question strikes imposter syndrome like no other.

So, how do you fix that? It’s important not to underestimate the value of new perspectives from previous experiences and companies you bring to a team. In my experience, working across multiple industries, I have realized that as entrepreneurs we are adept in finding ways to always apply our learnings to new roles and challenges.

In actuality, as a business person, it is your varied skill set and unique perspective which makes you special - and gives you a competitive edge.

As Seth Godin writes in his bestselling career manifesto, Linchpin: Are You Indispensable?, “Discomfort means you're doing something that others were unlikely to do, because they're hiding out in the comfortable zone.”

Discomfort, ultimately, is a good thing. All you need to do is handle it. So, in my experience, here are the ultimate ways to overcome imposter syndrome.

Find a mentor

When you’re feeling self-doubt, there’s nothing quite as reassuring as feedback and encouragement from a professional you respect. I’ve experienced it firsthand with my own mentors at CityPlat, amongst others I trust wholeheartedly. When you are willing to learn and listen from the experts you surround yourself with, you can be confident that you’re constantly developing and improving your skills, too.

Set small goals

Big picture goals are great, but can become overwhelming. Try the 30-60-90 method: plan your actionable goals for the next 30, 60, and 90 days, making sure they’re measurable and achievable. When self-doubt strikes, check in on your progress. Remind yourself that you’re on the path to achieving your goals.

Focus on your strengths

Consider the skills you bring from your previous experiences: these are strengths which are unique to you. When you live with your strengths every day, it can be easy to overlook their value, but from other people’s perspectives who don’t share the same experiences, they possess an even greater weight.

Track your growth

Self-reflection can transform your entire mindset. If you know me, you know I keep three distinguishable notebooks on me at all times to track my different dealings. Why? Because outlining how far you have come, either by journaling or by taking a more numbers-based approach, allows you to see your professional growth in black and white.

Be self-aware

Being self-aware of both your strengths and the areas of knowledge which you can work on improving will mean you won’t feel out of our depth, but rather, you’ll always be confident in your abilities and know which work to focus your time on. It also means that you can be aware of self-doubting thoughts, and know that when imposter syndrome sneaks up on you, that’s all it is.

How do you cope with the feelings of imposter syndrome?