The Boardroom Beat #2 -- The Imposter Syndrome

Remember - The Boardroom Beat celebrates curiosity. The Monthly format is Q&A&Q:
•    Question from a member or GALA staff
•    Answer based on experience, case study, best practice, or innovation.
•    Question(s) back to push customized thinking.

Question: The program for GALA Connected 2021 looks great. Why are you presenting on Imposter Syndrome, and why with the Knowledge Fest Format?

Answer: Imposter Syndrome is the biggest least talked about topic in leadership circles today. In American English it is “the elephant in the (board) room.” A google search informs that the Finnish equivalent "virtahepo olohuoneessa" exists. (A hippopotamus in the living room.) Do share with us what your culture calls that which is ominously present but ignored.

Many people can relate to Imposter Syndrome. First identified by clinical psychologists in 1978, it is now estimated that about 70 percent of people across all walks of life and across all cultures experience this phenomenon on a chronic or situational basis. At i3 Coaching I noticed a discernible uptrend in 2020. Overcoming Imposter Syndrome was the engagement goal most frequently included at engagement kick off meetings. 

Imposter Syndrome may manifest as occasional worry about underperforming an assignment or more pervasive fear of being discovered as wholly inadequate. At best it detracts from enjoying life. At worst it impacts mental and physical health. Do any of these causal correlations sound familiar?
*    Perfectionism.
*    Competitive business climates in which performance is under scrutiny.
*    Having to actively “win” work in project-based business models.

There's good news; Clients typically find ways to manage Imposter Syndrome quite quickly. Like so many other things, the hardest part is admission of a problem. That is challenge enough in the confidential arena of a coaching session. Will a group of executive peers be willing to explore and share in a Knowledge Fest format? GALA is assuming calculated risk. The potential reward of personal empowerment via bonding with peers is worth the risk. So, let’s do this together.

“See you” at GALA Connect 2021.

Questions: 
1.    What do people believe about you that you don’t believe yourself?
2.    What does an inner voice caution you from doing or trying?
3.    How could you use evidence to “talk back” to a cautionary inner voice?
4.    What would you do it you didn’t fear failure?
5.    If none of these questions personally resonate….how might you apply them to coaching your team to unleash their potential?

 

Shelly Orr Priebe

Since 2010 Shelly has consulted and coached companies of all shapes and sizes, ever finding herself in the midst of disruption. In 2018 she was on the core team of a start up tech company on mission to address the disturbing trend toward digital isolation. These days she finds herself fueling a (R)evolution with corporate clients dedicated to the democratization of coaching, an inclusive initiative intended to diversify the face of tomorrow's leaders. She was the co-chair for the 2020 ATX Global Leadership Summit. Shelly delivers iPEC's Core Energy Coaching™ methodology to create awareness and shifts in the energy that feeds thoughts, emotions, and actions. She is certified in Insights Discovery™ and Energy Leadership Initiative™ assessments. In 2020 Shelly elevated her “inner introvert” and relished more time in her Tree House office overlooking Lake Austin. Her dogs rejoice that their daily trail runs are not interrupted by her travel. While she wears many hats, “Mom” of four age range 13 to 26 is her favorite.