Feeling Insecure? Look Here.

"Wait, wait, hold up," I said. She was blowing past something valuable she'd done like it was as easy as making ice. 

Like so many driven, diligent leaders and high performers I work with, she was questioning her capability and feeling a touch of imposter syndrome, so I asked her to tell me about an example that sparked these feelings. 

As she told me about a recent project, she was so focused on what she thought she was missing - highly technical skills in a particular area - that she completely glossed over the huge role she'd played in getting the whole dang project over the finish line.

When I pointed it out, she said, "Oh well, I was just doing my job."

I wasn't settling for that. We pulled it apart and found that she'd:

↳ Coordinated internal and external stakeholders who weren't naturally aligned, navigating different priorities and personalities to keep the project moving.

↳ Offered strategic guidance to her team to overcome timeline conflict and communication breakdowns and quietly cleared them away. Disaster averted!

↳ Translated complex technical explanations into clear, common language so executives and non-technical stakeholders could understand. This is how you get buy-in, resources and continued support.

↳ Built trust with people across the organization, so when problems arose (they always do), she was poised to manage them well.

Among other important contributions she'd made.

How many times had she dismissed her own strengths and the value she brings?

Chances are, many times. 

Hidden inside what comes easily to you, what seems obvious to you, what can feel like "just doing your job" are the gems that demonstrate what you bring to the table. 

Your unique, powerful and valuable contributions. 

What's one thing you're really good at that you've been dismissing?