An introduction to executive coaching: imposter syndrome
We all have a unique story – our background – that affects how we think, feel and respond in both professional and personal situations. Sometimes, this can limit our potential or even affect our health and wellbeing.
Here at Suzie Walker Executive Search, we know that exploring our barriers to success, sometimes with a little guidance, can help us to find ways to overcome them. Executive coaching is a tool for success that we offer to candidates, and access ourselves, so we thought it would be helpful to share an introduction to some of the key topics we have covered first-hand and how they could help you.
First up, ‘imposter syndrome’. What is it?
Imposter syndrome is something that can affect everyone but was first described in high-achieving women, in 1978. Defined as, ‘the persistent inability to believe that one's success is deserved or has been legitimately achieved as a result of one's own efforts or skills’, imposter syndrome is said to often affect high-achievers despite reaching levels of success. We don’t believe that our achievements are real and if someone compliments us, we don’t feel worthy of their praise. We might not realise that our CEO or peers feel the same, but imposter syndrome is much more common that we think and a topic that is frequently explored in coaching sessions.
How does imposter syndrome impact us?
This feeling of inadequacy can encourage us to always go the extra mile, never quite feeling like our work is good enough. In time, this can stop us from reaching our full potential and lead to burn out. Perfectionists feel this acutely, experiencing self-doubt when something doesn’t go as planned or that we could have done a better job when, to anyone else, what we have done is fantastic.
Imposter syndrome can also encourage us to focus on our weaknesses rather than our strengths, prevent us from taking risks, become less ambitious and even stop trying altogether. It is why imposter syndrome can even lead to anxiety and depression, when the worry becomes overwhelming and impacts our daily lives.
How can we overcome imposter syndrome?
Self-help:
Self-help techniques can enable us to manage those feelings of imposter syndrome but the first thing to do is recognise it. If we feel anything mentioned above, acknowledge it. If we see anyone struggling with imposter syndrome – perhaps someone we manage – help by boosting their self-esteem through feedback or helping them to access support.
Simple techniques like writing down our strengths and/or compliments from others, then reading them whenever we feel that niggling self-doubt, can boost ourselves. On LinkedIn, we might already have some recommendations to remind us of how others see us. If you’re yet to ask for a recommendation, choose someone you work closely with and request one – everyone does it (and we have), so there is no need to feel embarrassed.
Executive coaching:
However, if imposter syndrome is proving a serious barrier to success, talking to someone we trust can help. Sue Leeson, Associate Executive Coach at Suzie Walker Executive Search, says, “I believe everyone can benefit from working with someone who can provide a good sounding board, establish a helpful thinking framework, and probe deeper with insightful questions. Being able to take that aerial view, to define outcomes truly wanted, and to work out how to achieve them with relative ease in a confidential and trusted place can be a game-changer.”
Executive coaching is a tailored practice that develops talent through one-to-one sessions. Coaching comes in many styles, but all offer a safe and structured space for us to explore our hopes, dreams, strengths, weaknesses and to establish our goals, with a clear action plan for getting there.
If you’re a client or candidate and would like to access executive coaching for you and/or your team, please get in touch or connect with us/send a message on LinkedIn.
With warmest regards,
the Suzie Walker Executive Search team
Suzie Walker Executive Search is a firm of specialist headhunters with an expert team recruiting interim and permanent senior leaders for marketing, data, digital and tech roles in FTSE 350 and private equity-backed companies. Find out how we can support you by connecting with a Consultant below.
