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A note on imposter syndrome for people managers.
Imposter syndrome is the byproduct of years of experiences that have happened long before they join you.
If you have an IC who has been courageous enough to be vulnerable and reveal they experience imposter syndrome
(A thread)
Imposter syndrome is the byproduct of years of experiences that have happened long before they join you.
If you have an IC who has been courageous enough to be vulnerable and reveal they experience imposter syndrome
(A thread)
DO
- remind them of contributions and the challenges overcome
- offer compassion and empathy
- provide opportunities
- normalize and share experiences
- actively listen
- strategize with them for solutions
- challenge negative self-talk
- celebrate them
- be constructive
- remind them of contributions and the challenges overcome
- offer compassion and empathy
- provide opportunities
- normalize and share experiences
- actively listen
- strategize with them for solutions
- challenge negative self-talk
- celebrate them
- be constructive
DON'T
- assume they are overwhelmed
- remove responsibilities without context
- talk over them
- minimize the feeling and say how great they are
- prescribe solutions
- remove support or guidance
- compare to others
- take credit for their work
- be overly critical
- assume they are overwhelmed
- remove responsibilities without context
- talk over them
- minimize the feeling and say how great they are
- prescribe solutions
- remove support or guidance
- compare to others
- take credit for their work
- be overly critical
An IC aware enough to say they have imposter syndrome means they are working to develop tools to work through it. Usually they are top talent and this feeling drives them to do and be the best. It's a super power that they don't realize.
Keep in mind that while everyone feels like a fraud at one point out another, implicit bias, marginalization and systemic experiences augment these feelings to the point of self-doubt. And not all of this comes from work experiences.
Often this self-doubt drives success.
Often this self-doubt drives success.
As a manager your job is to remove your own bias, be patient, understanding, supportive and offer opportunities and affirmation.
Create a culture of inclusion and encourage people to take risks knowing they have your support.
Thanks for coming to my Ted talk. :P
Create a culture of inclusion and encourage people to take risks knowing they have your support.
Thanks for coming to my Ted talk. :P
