Page 12 - KZN Business Sense 10.5 Lead story Raksha Laghari- eBook

BEAT SELF DOUBT AND OWN YOUR GREATNESS

Jacquie Bhana, Other examples are as follows: Impostor syndrome can
High Performance ■ Employees do not think they manifest itself in the workplace,
Coach, Mentor and deserve a raise or promotion to the detriment of high
Counsellor despite their years of service performing individuals. As a
and success coach, I have worked with people
recently who have high levels of capability
wrote an ■ Students who feel out of place and are in senior positions but
I article on among their classmates even hold back in meetings and do
the imposter though their test scores and not contribute. Two weeks ago,
syndrome – grades are as good as or better I did a coaching session with
“Fake it till than their peers Mary who identified one of her
you make ■ Friends who feel undeserving challenges as “Finding and using
it”, in a of acceptance and fear that they her voice in the boardroom”.
Business are going to be “found out”
Sense During meetings, individuals are
publication and had a great The damage that impostor often thinking to themselves, “How
reaction to it. This topic syndrome causes to people’s did I get into this room with people
comes up in numerous personal and professional lives who are clearly smarter than me?”.
coaching sessions, which can be significant. When they I also work with women with
makes the work of a coach so buy into impostor stories and great skill in their respective fields,
invaluable. There has been treat them as fact, it can stop but they often find themselves in
great insight and learning them from putting themselves work situations where they are
from identifying this out there, taking risks or the only female. In these cases, or background, anyone who It is important to recognise
phenomenon by clients, along moving forward. These cases cultural biases and stereotypes experiences impostor syndrome their worth and value, and not
with coming up with ways of are common – it could be like can come into play and be turned can take steps to turn around to remain in a job where they are
proactively dealing with it, a movie from your own life in against oneself. A woman who self-defeating thoughts. During undervalued. Looking for a new
through some decisive actions. rewind. So, let’s unpack some is in a stressful position to begin an interview, former First Lady role will give them a sense of their
of the similar fears of others. with may start to question herself
Let’s take an example to and whether she truly belongs – Michelle Obama stated, “I still worth in the marketplace, and
recap: “I was paralysed, unable Individuals who experience and yet she is truly capable, more have impostor syndrome. It they can get help with this search.
to make a move. I was stuck the impostor syndrome are than capable. She needs to talk to never goes away. The important The journey to conquering
in a job that was far beneath less likely to engage in career somebody, to whom she can open thing is to ensure that it doesn’t imposter syndrome begins
my skill sets, underpaid, and planning and move into up and walk alongside her through severely diminish your daily with your commitment to
treated poorly. I had all the leadership positions while this challenge. life and that you come to terms valuing yourself and choosing
credentials to take a leap – a being more likely to experience with your greatness. We need a different path for your life.
PhD from an Ivy League job dissatisfaction and burnout. What can be done? to weaken its hold on us and There are many pathways to get
university, two master’s This can lead to a world of For employers, it is important develop self-confidence to help assistance. The important thing
degrees, and connections loneliness and social isolation to be mindful that in this world see how much power we have is to take action. 
in the right places – but I which can take a toll on the where there is a war for talent, over our lives.”
was terrified and doubted wellbeing of individuals. A high performing employees The roots of the syndrome can Jacquie recently conducted a
the power of any of it. I was client in a coaching session must be taken care of, in order be managed with the help of a webinar on this topic. To view visit
fearful that if I left, my boss said to me, “It gets really lonely to retain them. Employers need youtu.be/
might try to bad-mouth me, out there.” However, it is to be trained in how to manage coach or trusted friend – where h5I_0c1u9iw?si=VryxoQDizT1OPQOI

which would ruin all the important to note that people valuable employees with great they can address their reliance C: +27 83 386 8343
goodwill that I had built do have the power to combat gifts and talents, or rather scarce on others’ opinions for their E: Jacquie.bhana@mbhana.co.za
W: www.jacquiebhana.co.za
around those relationships. I loneliness by developing and critical skills. They need to self-worth. They can reframe
was fearful about my ability to strategies to create meaningful understand this phenomenon as the negative messages they have
do anything else beyond this connections and thrive in an it may be impacting on some of received throughout their lives
job. I was fearful about almost increasingly disconnected their best employees. about why they are not smart
everything related to leaving society. It is important to talk or capable enough. They can
this job, so I stayed.” – Lisa about these feelings to trusted No matter what their re-evaluate their motivations for
Orbe’-Austin friends or other individuals. profession, gender, age, race learning and performing.

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