We’ve worked with a lot of females in the workforce who struggle with very similar issues when it comes to being heard in their environments, especially when it’s a male-dominated industry. After reading Cybele Negris’ article (below), we had to add our communications spin on the subject too.
So what is the Imposter Syndrome? The author of the article below explains it as
“the phenomenon whereby high-achieving individuals think they don’t belong – that they’re frauds and it’s only a matter of time before everybody figures them out. “
We’ve seen a few common patterns when it comes to exuding confidence in the workplace. These are often amplified by the effect of the imposter syndrome:
- Feeling anxious to interject themselves into conversations (Did you know that females are more likely to interrupt each other compared to their male counterparts?)
- The use of phrases such as “I think”, “I guess”, or “I’m not sure but” is commonly tacked onto statements that they know are actually true!
- Using a much higher overall tonality than their usual speaking voice – it leaves the impression that we’re constantly seeking approval
- Nervousness about speaking in general, with fears of looking foolish or “not being able to contribute anything”
A Few Quick Pointers
As trainers, we encourage you to gain exposure and always test the waters with different techniques that might help you speak up. Because each group is a little different, you’ll need to experiment!
For instance, try leading the conversation by inputting your opinions right at the start of meetings, or you play the connector role by summarizing everyone’s key points and adding your thoughts along the way.
At other times, we need to recognize the need to just be more assertive. Telling people to wait so that you can finish a point before moving on doesn’t have to be rude, but can demonstrate your need to be heard.
