At #GirlsClub, we talk a lot about confidence, but what does it truly mean? Confidence is a deeply rooted feeling that you’re okay with yourself. Heck, it might even be liking yourself (gasp!). It’s the feeling of self-belief and self-worth. It’s NOT about being perfect or being good at what OTHER people need you to be.
I’m excited to share a very powerful weapon we all have available to beat imposter syndrome.
If you’re new here, Hi. 🙂 I’m LB. We try to do regular installments on beating the widespread disease I define as an ugly underlying and persistent belief that I don’t own nor deserve my own success.
There’s a scent of possibility in the air. Have you clocked it? I caught it somewhere between a no-facemask gas station and accepting a fly-to-me speaking gig. The world is starting to feel more open. My choices for the kid’s summer camps were slim, but then something amazing happened.
Were you raised to believe that selfishness was essentially the worst character trait you could have? In my household, I was taught that selfishness meant that you do not care for others. It was negative – if I was told that I was “selfish,” I knew that I had failed to show that I was kind. I knew I was a kind person and yet, I internalized this definition of selfishness. Sure, I probably was selfish at times – but what kid is kind or caring 100% of the time?
How many articles have you read about the “Gender Pay Gap?” If you’re anything like me, the answer is A LOT! The more I read, the more I wanted to explore how we here at #GirlsClub could proactively start closing the gap. Insert the always helpful, Mikelann Valterra of Seattle Money Coach. Mikelann joined us recently to provide 5 strategies to prevent underearning.
In our most recent Fireside Chat, we explored the best ways to be an LGBTQIA+ ally. I speak from experience when I say that being an ally is something even the most well-intentioned individual can screw up. For this chat, we were fortunate to be joined by two amazing thought leaders, Seth List and Udi Ledergor. Both of whom graciously offered their time to help us navigate their communities and lead with empathy.
Imposter syndrome is not an actual diagnosis (apparently). It’s a behavior pattern that is so common (and equally common among men and women, by the way) that in 1978 Suzanne Imes and Pauline Clance coined the term. Imposter syndrome is defined as “a psychological phenomenon in which people are unable to internalize their accomplishments.”
My upbringing was the perfect training for me and my challenging sales career to rise up and speak up. The qualifier is to do so in a pleasant tone. Anger never solves anything, whereas a natural smile will catch the bullies off-guard. As they allow ego to take over, we are then perfectly positioned to pose a question that they cannot answer. Accordingly, we free ourselves to proceed as we desire. The worst-case scenario is to walk away and continue doing what we believe to be right. So how does this work?
Silence isn’t easy for most salespeople. In fact, most of us have been told, “You can talk to anyone! You should be in sales!” They are correct with their intent, but not in execution. On the surface, this means you are not shy and will not be uncomfortable talking with strangers. It means, people like you and will talk to you. Take it for the compliment it is…then leave it there.
Recently, the amazing Amy Volas, Founder & CEO of Avenue Talent Partners, was kind enough to join us from her vacation to talk a bit about how to navigate a career move like a badass. We aren’t talking a job move, we are talking big picture here. Whether this move is an outside interview, or you are inquiring about a promotion at your current company, knowing how and when to toot your own horn is an art in itself.
There are a lot of negative “isms” out there – Skepticism, Narcissism, and the target for today’s article: Perfectionism. In fact, I believe perfectionism to be just as dangerous an “ism” to a life well lived as any of the other inflictions. Further, I think it is a dirty little secret most women are hiding.
If you’re ready to beat 25% and take advantage of the power women bring to sales (higher quota achievement being one), there are about 20 things you can do about it. Doing five of them will wind you up on our list of Top 25 Companies Where Women Want to Work (you’re welcome sales recruiters).