There’s a level of discomfort or even embarrassment that comes along with the idea of considering what you really want. Negative thoughts creep in the shadows of your mind. Fear or doubt become the hidden rudder that keeps you on course with the expected norms for your life.
Self-doubt, playing smaller than you know you’re capable of, and imposter syndrome all tend to be constant, confusing companions to career growth and greater impact. It’s a topic that comes up frequently in coaching. If you’ve been afflicted with any of these, you’re in surprisingly good company. Sonia Sotomayor , Howard Schultz, Jody Foster, Maya Angelou, Tom Hanks, and Michelle Obama are just a few of the amazing, accomplished individuals who have confessed to fears of being ‘found out.’ Studies suggest that over 70% of people experience feeling like a fraud it various points in their career. As we start to unravel this confidence conundrum (and unravel it you must if you want to grow your career and impact), it can be helpful to consider two types of confidence: