Experience matters. There’s no getting around that fact. Leaders who have seen a situation before feel more confident and better able to focus on the people and issues that count. Strategies and tactics employed in a previous episode give leaders a good idea of what will work in the current situation and what won’t.
I see a lot of younger and early career people post about suffering from Imposter Syndrome. I hope they find this post and read it. It is the antidote to Imposter Syndrome and once you learn and accept it, you're kind of unstoppable (if you want to be).
Do you think it’s a relatively positive trend that you hear about people discussing their own impostor syndrome so much more now, David? Or has it turned the corner from awareness into a crutch yet?
I don't see it as being positive. I think is is mostly due to a lack of self-confidence or the irrational belief that one needs to have everything figured out before taking action. To the contrary, getting good at a few business, decision-making, and critical thinking skills can help you figure out pretty much anything that comes your way at work. That's where you gain experience and in time, confidence. Real confidence, not fake confidence by setting the bar low and achieving what you know you can already do. I'd rather people use 'humility' or 'gratitude' if they want to tell people how fortunate they feel to be where they are. This was such a great post today - I see people limit their growth everyday because they compare themselves to others that are further along than them and think they have discovered some secret sauce or have a hidden talent when the truth is 10 out of 10 times, the 'successful' person learned by doing.
This is a great reminder - thank you for writing. Having just stepped into the CEO role less than a year ago, I've faced several situations I had yet to navigate. So trust in oneself, especially at inflection points relative to the business, is critically important. Likewise, knowing that challenges produce learnings one way or another is also a source of confidence. The only note I'd add is that, as a new senior leader, I've found value in my support system to lean on when I need advice or counsel. They are often a source of courage to keep leaning in.
Great question! Primarily external - board members, business advisors, mentors, etc. Typically if I'm facing a challenging situation or hard decision I haven't come up against before, I'll spot-check with 3-5 folks to check my intuition and look for any obvious detours from the average of the feedback if that makes sense.
I needed this post and the comments that followed right at this exact time. Thank you to everyone!
Good to hear Jennifer... come back any time and share your own experience, we would all benefit from reading more from plenty of others.
I see a lot of younger and early career people post about suffering from Imposter Syndrome. I hope they find this post and read it. It is the antidote to Imposter Syndrome and once you learn and accept it, you're kind of unstoppable (if you want to be).
Do you think it’s a relatively positive trend that you hear about people discussing their own impostor syndrome so much more now, David? Or has it turned the corner from awareness into a crutch yet?
I don't see it as being positive. I think is is mostly due to a lack of self-confidence or the irrational belief that one needs to have everything figured out before taking action. To the contrary, getting good at a few business, decision-making, and critical thinking skills can help you figure out pretty much anything that comes your way at work. That's where you gain experience and in time, confidence. Real confidence, not fake confidence by setting the bar low and achieving what you know you can already do. I'd rather people use 'humility' or 'gratitude' if they want to tell people how fortunate they feel to be where they are. This was such a great post today - I see people limit their growth everyday because they compare themselves to others that are further along than them and think they have discovered some secret sauce or have a hidden talent when the truth is 10 out of 10 times, the 'successful' person learned by doing.
Well said!! Appreciate your comments!
This is a great reminder - thank you for writing. Having just stepped into the CEO role less than a year ago, I've faced several situations I had yet to navigate. So trust in oneself, especially at inflection points relative to the business, is critically important. Likewise, knowing that challenges produce learnings one way or another is also a source of confidence. The only note I'd add is that, as a new senior leader, I've found value in my support system to lean on when I need advice or counsel. They are often a source of courage to keep leaning in.
Great to hear, Josh. Is the support system you’re referencing mostly internal relationships or external?
Great question! Primarily external - board members, business advisors, mentors, etc. Typically if I'm facing a challenging situation or hard decision I haven't come up against before, I'll spot-check with 3-5 folks to check my intuition and look for any obvious detours from the average of the feedback if that makes sense.