You know all those amazing people who seem to have their sh!t together?
Well, they all have (at least) one thing in common with you…
I used to get intimidated by the many capable people I work with. Especially if they were older and more senior.
They appeared confident. And organised. And on top of things.
Whereas I felt way out of my depth. And insecure. And like a fraud.
But, as I got to know these people, I discovered they all had one thing in common.
I’m not talking about work ethic, values or getting up at 4:00 am.
They were just… human.
One by one, I realised that – just like you and me – they often:
- Felt out of their depth
- Feared rejection
- Winged it
- Didn’t have all the answers
- Worried they’d upset someone
- Had weaknesses and blind spots
And just like you and me, they wanted to be loved and accepted by the people they care about (and maybe even those they don’t!).
This was true of CEOs, front line workers and everyone in between.
This is liberating to know. Reminding ourselves of this helps manage our imposter syndrome. And worry a little less about rejection and failure.
So – next time you see someone who looks like they have everything together – admire their qualities…
…but also remember that they’re human too.
And use that as a reminder that you’re not failing, just because you’re struggling.
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