Impostor Syndrome
Nearly a year ago, I joined the now renowned Cohort 13 (London) of the Warwick Business School to begin what was a trepidatious yet exciting journey of an Executive MBA. Typical of most civilised gatherings, the first day commenced with an exchange of pleasantries. Members of the cohort introduced themselves, highlighting their professional achievements and any claim to fame.
I kind of knew what to expect from a group of executive MBA candidates, but despite my assumptions, nothing prepared me for meeting 23 highly astute and experienced individuals with a gamut of immeasurable wisdom. Incumbent and aspiring C-suite executives and entrepreneurs to mention a few, all successful in their rights with uniquely strong personalities, they articulately vocalised their achievements and long-term goals. As the penultimate individual to speak and having listened to a trail of incomparable achievements, it suffices to say I was overwhelmed by a wave of impostor syndrome. I felt as though I was in the wrong room.
The reality is that we all feel a visceral feeling of discomfort any time we find ourselves in positions that appear to be outside our comfort zone. I have felt it many times before as I navigated both academic and professional life, yet I was still ill-prepared for the situation I found myself in last September. However, my interpretation of this feeling has since altered tremendously. I’ve learned to understand that at the very core of what it means to be human is to evolve, and if we’re to truly grow, then we are supposed to spend our lives in situations that make us feel like an impostor. Our inherent need for growth requires that we live our lives at least one step outside our comfort zone, and if we’re ever spending too long in a room or situation where we don’t feel to some degree like an impostor, then we’re perhaps in the wrong room.
Everyone that has ever done anything for the first time felt like an impostor, and I’ve come to understand that the feeling I felt nearly a year ago now wasn’t evidence that I was in the wrong room, if anything, it is clear proof that I walked into the right one as I have grown immeasurably as a person, and with growth also comes fulfilment.
Growth is an underpinning part of the human experience and we’re supposed to spend our entire lives doing things that contribute toward our growth, things that make us feel like an impostor. It is tangible evidence that we’re living a progress-full life where we’re trying new challenges that bring us into new encounters and stages of life. We should all feel impostor syndrome, if you’re not, then you’re probably playing it safe, and you should challenge yourself a bit more.
Remember - “Everything you want is just outside your comfort zone” - Robert G. Allen
Peace, Love and Light,