If you feel like you’re not qualified for the role you’re in and you’re going to be discovered…you may have imposter syndrome. Even if you don’t, chances are that someone you know or work with does.

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Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

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Imposter syndrome is the feeling that you are not qualified to be in your current role, and that you are going to be found out and humiliated.

What drives feelings of Imposter Syndrome? 

1. Comparison 

Comparison is addiction to failure. Comparison also drives imposter syndrome. 

Imagine you’re a CEO who’s struggling with a challenge and you compare yourself to another CEO who handled a similar situation gracefully. You may judge yourself harshly in comparison and conclude that you aren’t qualified. In reality, every CEO struggles with challenges and no two CEOs have the same qualifications. 

Rather than comparing yourself to someone else, think about the valuable skills and experiences you bring to your role. In addition, seek a different perspective from people around you like your leadership team, coaches, and someone who knows your capabilities and will provide honest feedback. 

2. Lack of Practice and Negative Feedback

Individuals are often afraid of speaking up in meetings or sharing their ideas in other forums because when they’ve done this in the past they’ve been discouraged, laughed at, or had their ideas hijacked. They may feel that they are jeopardizing their job if they share an idea that isn’t accepted by others. Overcoming this belief takes practice. 

To elevate your voice, you need to practice saying your idea authentically while making eye contact with key people in the room. And if someone takes your idea and presents it as their own, call them out with a direct and matter-of-fact statement. 

3. Reinforcement of Inconsistent Qualification Requirements 

Women and people of color are often judged to be lacking in qualifications for roles even when their academic and business successes exceed those they are being judged against. This can lead individuals to start believing that they are truly not qualified and that they have to work twice as hard to gain the respect of their colleagues. 

Address feelings of inadequate qualifications with your support system and with reminders of all you’ve accomplished.  

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