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Impostor syndrome shows up differently for each season of the Career Growth Cycle.  

You are currently in

SUMMER SEASON

of the career growth cycle. 

This means you are focused on deepening your expertise and leadership skills in your current position.


Your playbook is designed to help you develop your influence skills and grow taller and stronger in your current role.

The Career Growth cycle has four seasons: 

  • Spring: Starting a new job or position
  • Summer: Deepening your expertise & leadership
  • Autumn: Deciding on your next best step
  • Winter: Actively seeking new opportunities

The Ditch Impostor Syndrome Playbook:
Summer Edition

Trust yourself & find confidence in your authority as a leader.

When you’re in the summer season of your career, it’s easy to get “stuck in your head” (as one client put it).

Your drive to become a better leader is because you care about others. You want to make your team, your organization and the people around you excel. 

You want to make meaningful impact.

And because you care so much, the fear of failure or making a mistake can create a “freeze” reaction. But this can create a lot of problems.

Do any of these "client confessions" sound familiar?

  • “I’m a bit of a workaholic - I don’t want anything to go wrong, so I put in extra hours to get everything done.”

  • “Sometimes I have a hard time getting the thoughts to turn into words because I get panicky when I have to present unannounced.”

  • “Ugh imposter syndrome If I didn't have it, I wouldn't feel an almost crippling anxiety any time I'm given a task that's new or challenging. I don't mind the challenge but the anxiety is almost constant!”

Here's the thing... 

You know in your heart of hearts that you’re actually 
quite confident and good at your job.

You’re likely in a leadership role (at least informally) and you get high praise from your manager. 

There’s just this little bug in your brain that sometimes pokes you and says something like “what if they’re only being nice and you’re ACTUALLY bad at your job.”

At the end of the day, you’re here because you know that "impostor syndrome" is often your mind playing tricks on you. 

And even when it's not simply in your mind... I'm here to tell you that there is a whole lot of unconscious bias that feeds into any self-doubt you're experiencing. 

Here's what no one tells you about "impostor syndrome".

Impostor syndrome isn't just in your head. 

It's also rooted in pervasive unconscious biases, systems of oppression and negative external messages.

Impostor syndrome image of a venn diagram, which is three overlapping circles. Circle One is "self-doubt" with the caption "Negative self-talk often fueled by external impostor messages, i.e. "you're too bossy"." Circle Two is "unconscious bias" with the caption "Pervasive and systemic biases rooted in patriarchy and white colonialism. Circle Three is "Fear of failure" with the caption "Anxiety over making a mistake, usually caused by a risk-avoidant organizational culture.".

Bottom line:
"impostor syndrome" is not your fault. 

In fact... Impostor syndrome is completely understandable once we realize that sensitive professionals are caught between thoughts of self-doubt (which are incredibly common), pervasive bias and organizational fear of failure. 

So let’s talk about three strategies to help you ditch impostor syndrome when it flares up. 

Strategy 1:  Practice self-compassion

One of the most stress-inducing aspects of impostor thoughts is when you make a mistake. Your anxiety spikes through the roof and you wonder if this is when everyone realizes you’re a total fraud. Even if intellectually you know how important it is to embrace imperfection. (We all read and love Brené Brown right??)

If you want to get better at ditching impostor thoughts, you need to become comfortable with imperfect. And become comfortable taking a risk that something will be imperfect.

 *** Always remember that you are doing the best you can do, with the information and resources you have at the time.***

And the most powerful way to be comfortable when mistakes happen is to learn to forgive yourself.

Self-compassion is the ultimate key to ditching impostor thoughts. 

Here are four tangible ways to start implementing self-compassion.

  • Notice any moments of negative self-talk. Catch the negative, judgemental thought and turn it into a kind, accepting thought.
  • Take 3 mindful minutes each day, whether it's in the morning, afternoon or evening. (Apps are great for this, Headspace is my current go to).
  • Ask yourself - what would you tell a friend who was in the same situation?
  • Keep a post-it note in the kitchen or above your laptop with an affirmation that reminds you to find your self-compassion in moments of stress. Here's a link to a great list of 101 positive affirmations. (And as a bonus for parents, it's geared towards helping your kids develop positive thinking skills :)

STRATEGY 2: Feel the beat and dance to your own music.

This strategy has two parts to it.

First is that you want to focus on your unique strengths. What is it that makes you special? 

Operating from a place of strength is always more powerful than trying to be something you’re not. 

So always dance to your own beat, and show up unapologetically as YOU.

Second is that you can use your body to literally feel confidence as a way to inspire confident thoughts. 

Here are three great ways to practice feeling confidence:

  • First, breathe. When your mind is caught up in impostor thoughts, your body automatically tightens up. Spend time intentionally breathing and focusing on your breath. 
  • Second, use music to calm your nerves and boost your courage. Looking for inspiration? Check out the Mint Ambition Spotify playlist for some great songs.
  • Third, strike a Wonder Woman pose: Hands on hips. Feet spread apart. It’ll literally get your body to tell your brain to feel confident. Here’s a TedTalk all about how your body can fuel your confidence.

Strategy 3: Let It Go.

I call this the Frozen approach to showing up powerfully.

The next time you start ruminating or feeling anxious about whether you’re going to make a mistake, channel your inner Elsa and start humming, “Let it go…. Let it go…”  

Let go of the unreasonably high expectations you’re setting for yourself. 

Let go of overthinking and beating yourself up for making a mistake. 

Let go of worrying about what people might say if you trip up.

Instead -- embrace yourself for WHO YOU ARE. 

>You are meant to be in the room. 

>>You are meant to be at the table. 

>>>You are meant to have your voice heard.

So get out there and step into a leadership position.

You’re meant to lead.

Hi, I'm Liz!

I'm a leadership & career development coach for purpose-driven professionals who dream of rising to executive level. I specialize in helping introverted, quiet and highly sensitive professionals feel confident speaking up for themselves…. even if they work in tough, fast-paced or stressful working environments. 

My vision is that everyone should feel excited, motivated and proud of the work they do. Everyone deserves to have a meaningful career making an impact on the world around them. I also believe we need greater diversity in the rooms where decisions are being made. 

We need your voice and your ideas. We need your presence. We need you.

I’m all about helping you feel energized, motivated and confident showing up with a powerful presence, no matter what chaos swirls around you.

I want you to advance your career with more joy, less stress and a whole lot of impact.

Everything I do is about helping you get there.

Wondering what's next?

I’m so thrilled to have you in my community. You can bookmark this page to come back for a reminder, and you're also going to get the results sent directly to your inbox. 

If you also signed up for my email newsletter, here's what to expect in your inbox every few days.

  • Email #1: Your Playbook Results
  • Email #2: What makes you amazing 🥂
  • Email #3: Courage to speak up in meetings (even if your heartrate skyrockets at the idea)
  • Email #4: Why your boss stinks at feedback (and what to do about it)
  • Email #5: An easier way to get senior management buy-in for your ideas
  • Email #6: How to stop agonizing and NOT take an hour to write an email
  • Email #7: The first time I cried in my boss' office
  • Email #8: About the masks we wear

Not sure if you're signed up to get these emails? Add your email below to make sure you get the Summer Season playbook along with ongoing access to tips, inspiration and offers I send out every week 🌟

Want to work with me more closely? 

I run a group coaching program, the Powerful Presence Society. It's all about developing your leadership presence in a way that builds authentic relationships, enhances professional confidence and grows your strategic thinking skills. Learn about the program and book an enrollment call here!

We'd love to have you in the group 🌟

Want to binge listen to podcast episodes for the Summer Season?

Check out these recent episodes  from UnRuley Leadership that are perfect for the Summer Season of the career growth cycle.

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