Imposter syndrome

Imposter syndrome: What it is and how you can deal with it…

Imposter syndrome and how Call Recording can help

Imposter syndrome is something that is becoming increasingly common in the workplace and yet many people are still unaware of it. Many of us have moments where confidence dips or even when self-doubt overtakes us, even when we’re completing tasks that we’ve done time and time again in the past.
For many people doubts can strike when taking the next step on the career ladder. It may be that you have years of experience in your role and are ready to take the next career move but feel like a fraud and begin worrying about what will happen if you get found out.

Accentuate the positives

Appraisals and annual reviews may suggest that you’re beyond competent in your job, but sometimes it’s difficult to shake that feeling that actually if you make that next step you’re bound to fail.
These bouts of self-doubt and insecurity have a name – imposter syndrome, and there’s plenty of it about!

Impostor syndrome is a psychological phenomenon in which people are unable to internalise their accomplishments. Despite external evidence of their competence, those with the syndrome remain convinced that they are frauds and do not deserve the success they have achieved. Proof of success is dismissed as luck, timing, or as a result of deceiving others into thinking they are more intelligent and competent than they believe themselves to be.

Well-known names such as the likes of Natalie Portman, Chris Martin, Jodie Foster and Kate Winslet have all admitted to suffering from this over the years.

So, how do you go about dealing with imposter syndrome and getting yourself back on track? –

  • Accentuate the positives – Think carefully about everything you’ve achieved in your career to date. Make a list of them if it helps you to focus. Refer to the list often and remind yourself, if you need to do so, of your qualities. Focus solely on your strengths and play them.
  • Why are you an expert? – If you’re beginning to doubt the level of your knowledge in a certain area, break it down into things that you know that the man in the street might not about your particular job. It’s all too easy sometimes to take the knowledge you have for granted, most of what you know isn’t obvious at all but derived from years of understanding and doing.
  • You’re not alone – Recognise that many people, even some of the highest achievers, all go through the same feelings. It’s fine to sometimes feel a little insecure as long as you don’t let it take over and you’re able to keep everything in perspective.
  • What do others think? Remember nice things that others have said about you and your work. No-one has to compliment you on your ability but the fact they have says a lot. Their opinion is that you obviously have something valuable to offer, use that as a confidence booster in times of need.

Using Call Recording software

Imposter syndrome is something that can affect anyone in any industry or career. Understanding the points above is a great way to challenge any negativity in order to get back on track. In an environment where a worker uses the phone as a major part of their job, call recording can help in cementing a person’s appreciation of their abilities. Having very real evidence to hand of particular moments when skills were very much to the fore can go a long way to alleviating feelings of self-doubt and worry. For someone who has maybe performed a particular role over a number of years it can be easy to underestimate the skills they possess. Call recording provides unequivocal examples or reasons to stay positive and secure in abilities and understanding.

If you’d like to find out more about call recording or call logging software please don’t hesitate to give us a call; we’d be happy to tell you everything we know – which happens to be rather a lot! Drop us a line on 0333 0022 440, or contact us. We’re here ready to help…

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