6th March 2025
Have you ever felt out of place in your leadership role?
Even if, on the surface, you act like the most confident employee in the world – the likelihood is that you still fall victim to doubt. We all do.
Whether this low mood is triggered by a challenge you need to overcome or it creeps up after you’ve had a frustrating and difficult day, this feeling has a name… imposter syndrome.
“Imposter Syndrome” is a persistent belief that you don’t deserve to be where you are, often caused by an internal lack of faith in your ability to perform.
It usually manifests as a little voice in your head, which expresses that you aren’t good enough to be a leader and that you are letting everyone around you down.
Even though it’s normal to experience doubt on occasion, 78% of leaders feel plagued by impostor syndrome. It has the unique ability to put a damper on everything we do, making us second-guess the decisions we make and harming our productivity.
Luckily, there is a solution.
Whenever the little voice in the back of your mind insists that you aren’t good enough, you have to be prepared to challenge it. One of the worst things you can do for your mental health is passively accept the presence of your doubt, not taking the time to push back before the feelings grow.
When was the last time you gave yourself a compliment or took the time to feel proud of something you have achieved?
So many leaders make the mistake of not rewarding themselves for their success, making it easy for them to forget all the good they’ve done. Soon, panic starts to set in.
Whenever you feel low and ridiculed by imposter syndrome, remind yourself that…
Something as simple as frequent positive reinforcement can make a whopping difference to your emotional stability, rewriting your mindset entirely.
Although we can’t always rely on external validation, reassurance from your employees can really give you a boost. When you are struggling, speak to those around you and ask for feedback to see if your feelings are valid. Even if you do uncover an issue, at least you’ll be able to address it.
While it can be hard to put yourself out there and appear vulnerable in the workplace, remember that you aren’t alone on this journey.
Caring about one another and stepping up to provide support is a huge part of what being in a team is all about.
Wouldn’t you go the extra mile to showcase your unconditional love to an anxious employee? Give them a chance and they will do the same for you.
This article was published as a part of our ongoing series, “The Leadership Logs” – which aims to give top talent the tools they need to navigate unfamiliar and evolving climates.
Our previous piece “how to transition into a new leadership role”covers the steps that candidates can take to embrace a promotion and make the most of their new position.
Our next piece, “Defining Your Leadership Style” will provide crucial advice for being a consistent and supportive member of your team – catering your attitude to the environment around you.