"Stop renting space in your head to imposter syndrome; it's time to evict doubt and let Moxie sign the lease to your success!"
Imposter syndrome—a psychological phenomenon in which individuals doubt their accomplishments and harbor a persistent fear of being exposed to fraud—is a formidable obstacle that many professionals face, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds.
This deep-seated self-doubt can severely undermine one's confidence and stunt career progression, causing even the most qualified individuals to question their worthiness in their roles and achievements. However, overcoming this isn't merely a matter of willpower; it requires cultivating deep-seated resilience and determination, qualities embodied by the concept of Moxie.
Moxie is more than raw strength or boldness—a dynamic amalgamation of self-discipline, perseverance, and courage. It’s about the spirited resolve that drives individuals to confront internal and external doubts about their capabilities.
Moxie involves harnessing one's inner strengths—often developed through overcoming personal and systemic adversities—to persist through challenges that might otherwise seem daunting.
For professionals wrestling with imposter syndrome, Moxie can be genuinely transformative. It counterbalances doubt, empowering individuals to confidently own their achievements and push beyond self-imposed and external boundaries.
Moxie is incredibly potent in environments like corporate boardrooms, where diversity is still advancing. It enables those who might feel like outsiders due to their background or identity not just to fill spaces where they are underrepresented but to thrive and lead within them.
Professionals can arm themselves with a powerful toolkit for ‘Moxie-ating’ their careers by understanding the interplay between imposter syndrome and Moxie. This toolkit isn't about denying the feelings associated with imposter syndrome but confronting and overcoming them through developing Moxie, a quality that, once harnessed, transforms barriers into stepping stones for success.
The journey to embracing Moxie involves several strategic actions that professionals can adopt to not only combat imposter syndrome but to excel in their careers:
1. Harness Cultural Strengths:
Draw on the resilience and attitudes shaped by overcoming cultural and systemic hardships. Reflect on your past adversities and the strategies you employed to navigate these challenges to develop a strong will and self-discipline. These insights are powerful tools that can enhance your professional approach and presence.
Go Deep - WHY do you feel like an imposter? Was it your upbringing? Was it one or a number of instances where you or someone else made you feel like an imposter? Our families usually play a large part in our imposter syndrome synthesis and continuity.
2. Engage in Identity Play
Experiment with new professional roles and behaviors. This means allowing yourself the space to grow into new challenges without the immediate pressure to perform perfectly. Identity play helps build confidence and adaptability, critical traits for thriving in unfamiliar or demanding situations.
I tell clients to act like Daniel Craig or Taylor Swift — act confident in uncertain situations and deftly place yourself into their persona — it works.
3. Ignore the Naysayers
It's crucial to actively disregard or challenge detractors who fail to recognize your value or contribute constructively to your growth. When faced with criticism, reframe it as a hypothesis to be tested, not a fact. This approach can transform potential negativity into a constructive learning opportunity.
Stay away from these energy vampires. Their role in your life and success is to bring you down, develop doubt in your abilities, and ultimately fail. Sometimes, the people closest to us exhibit this behavior to promulgate their lives by bringing us down in the process.
4. Make Strategic Decisions
Know when to persist and when to walk away. Assess the demands of overcoming specific challenges and decide if they merit your time and energy. This ensures that your efforts are invested in realistic and rewarding goals, aligning your resources with your career aspirations.
Be vicious with your decisions. If they aren’t growing your Moxie and confidence, stop doing them and re-target your focus to easier or higher-performing actions.
5. Learn Through Discomfort
Embrace a mindset that sees challenges and discomfort as opportunities for growth. Commit to ongoing personal and professional development by taking risks and testing new behaviors. Understanding that transformative learning occurs outside comfort zones is essential for true growth and success.
This will hurt — any subtle or major change in our behavior puts us out of our comfort zone. We need to prepare for that uncomfortableness and build up our Moxie to overcome each challenge as it appears.
Final Thoughts
By adopting these strategies, individuals, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, can overcome imposter syndrome and systemic barriers and achieve their career aspirations with confidence and determination.
Remember, Moxie isn't just a trait but a journey that involves continuous learning, adaptation, and the courage to stand firm in the face of challenges. Make Moxie your superpower, and watch as it turns every barrier into a new opportunity for success.