BLT #29 | Start tackling Imposter Phenomenon

Picture this: you're at work and someone says "Hey, nice job on that presentation this morning!"

How do you respond?

• "Yeah, the leadership team seemed pretty distracted on their laptops so I was able to skate through that one without too much trouble."

• "Using that template the brand team built definitely made all the difference!"
  
• "It was alright; I wish I had landed a few of those points more directly, but it's all good."

If any of these sound like something you might say, there's a good chance you're experiencing some degree of Imposter Phenomenon.

WE BELIEVE:

There are countless ways you may experience Imposter Phenomenon.

The feelings of Imposter Phenomenon (IP) can vary significantly from person to person. Pauline Rose Clance, Ph.D., one of the researchers who originally identified IP, named 20 experiences that help determine whether someone might be experiencing it's symptoms. These include things like:

• Attributing your success to luck
• Avoiding evaluations and grades where possible
• Recalling moments you didn't live up to your expectations more than the ones where you did
• Having a hard time receiving compliments, especially at work

When everyone has a different variety of IP, it's hard to prescribe a "one size fits" all solution. That's why if you struggle with IP, we suggest making small tweaks to help pave the way for tackling it once and for all.

SOMETHING WE LOVE:

YOU SHOULD TRY:

Saying "Thank you."

Next time someone gives you kudos or a compliment at work, swap out your usual response with a short, simple "Thank you."

This small shift does two things:

1. Validates the person's comment | If someone takes a moment to share positive praise for something you've done, you're essentially dismissing their comments when you respond with a rebuttal. A simple "Thank you" tells the other person that you trust them and their opinion.
2. Slowly starts to rebuild your own habits | Saying "Thank you" one time won't provide relief from IP. But saying "Thank you" over time starts to rewire your own beliefs about yourself and helps internalize the feeling that you are deserving of the accolades. It's a small change that tees up big impact over time. Give it a try!

A final thought...
Still not sure? Think about a person in your world who consistently pushes back when you try to give them kudos. Over time, it likely wears on you and may even cause you to avoid sharing feedback all together. So our question is: Do you want to cut off opportunities for positive feedback from others? Likely not!

Rooting for you,
The Career Sandwich Team

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