I have a bonus follow-up to today’s blog.  A friend and colleague of mine responded to my blog this morning and I had to share because it hit me hard and made things so clear.  It’s another take on impostor syndrome distorting the way you view yourself.

From my friend- What’s funny is even in your thoughts here, you are selling yourself short – “They’ve worked with all kinds of amazing companies” “They have done work with heads of huge companies”. That’s you, too. Lilly is top ten biggest company in the world by market cap (ahead of tesla, Walmart, visa etc.) and you have made a big name for yourself here. You have the accolades and connections in one of the premier companies in the world – and yet imposter syndrome would tell you it doesn’t “count” for you. Personally, it sucks because it makes me discredit all my accomplishments “(right place at the right time, got lucky, was propelled by better people)”. It’s like everyone else earned their accomplishments except I just happened to stumble upon mine, so they don’t really count.

Deep thoughts, right?  My friend makes a great point.  It’s so weird that I would sell myself so short.  Do you ever do the same?  It’s like I see my reflection through a distorted funhouse mirror.  Seriously, if I met someone and they said, “I’m responsible for reimagining market research.  I’m the business lead for our market research AI efforts, and my company is one of the top 10 most valued in the world,” I’d be like, “Dang! That’s impressive!  How do I get on their level?” That impressive person IS ME.  Even though that person is me, I don’t view myself in that way, because impostor syndrome wants me to shrink myself.  Impostor syndrome messes with my reflection.  Sometimes, we need to step back to look through a more objective lens to see a true reflection.

The challenge- Will you step back and look at the big picture when impostor syndrome tries to make you feel small?

Bonus- A few “step back and see your awesomeness” moments that come to mind in case you are feeling a bit small

• You are not just a parent.  You are a builder of incredibly fierce, independent, and strong adults.  You are the hug that held them when they cried that they will never forget.  You are a crafter of curriculums, teaching lessons that last and unlocking levels of curiosity kids never knew they had. (#mywife)
• You aren’t just a market researcher.  You are an investigative reporter scouting sources, finding truth, and enabling people to make HUGE decisions that set the trajectory of million dollar brands  (Here’s a poem about being a researcher  Click HERE.
• You aren’t just a college professor.  You are a sage leaving lasting wisdom with students (#ProfessorSkinner). 
• You’re not just a sales professional.  You are someone who manages a business and generates millions of dollars in revenue.
• You aren’t just a middle manager.  You are a leader of the team leaving a lasting legacy on the people in your care.

Have a jolly good day,

Andrew Embry