In the past year, we have witnessed a significant increase in the number of redundancies across the tech sector, with designers being hit hard in the process. This created a highly competitive job market, with leadership applying down and juniors applying up, you will likely find 150+ applicants vying for the same position.

As if designers didn’t struggle with enough imposter syndrome, thousands of us are now facing the daunting task of spending our entire day obsessing over every detail of our portfolio and application. Followed by insomnia, tossing and turning all night, staring at the ceiling… replaying every detail of today’s ‘single’ application, fretting over all the possible things that we could have done “better”.

Shampoo, rinse and repeat.

But you wouldn’t be a true designer if you did not do your due diligence. In your job hunt, you become the product and consider your potential hiring managers your primary users. You start with research, evaluate the market trends, and try to find advice from other hiring managers.

In your endless effort, you read articles, watch YouTube videos, join meetings/workshops and keep a hawk-eye on online communities. Analysing every finding to synthesise the perfect formula on how you can create the ultimate user experience in your application. Yes, you spend your weeks meticulously scrutinizing your applications to cater for those generic job descriptions, in the hopes that YOU stand out amongst the 150+ applicants.

Yet, after all that, you are met with an automated generic email

‘The volume of response makes for an extremely competitive selection process. Although your background is impressive, we regret to inform you that we have decided to go in a different direction at this time. Due to the number of applicants we are unable to provide you with additional feedback. We will continue advertising for more roles, please keep an eye on our website. Thank you for your application. Good luck.’ — Every Recruiter.

Of course, like everyone else, you drown your sorrows on the internet. You sulk, pull yourself together, and being true to your designer nature, try to analyse what could have been improved. But you must do this without data. Seeing that ‘due to the volume of applicants’ the recruiters do not have time to respond to your enquiries for feedback.

However, there is certainly no shortage of managers who are eager to share insights into their experience (reality check: experience = expectations) through Medium or Linkedin. Advising you on how to stand out next time. While their perspective sheds light on valuable aspects, it’s essential to explore the insanely contradicting narratives to try and understand the broader context.

Recency vs Relevancy of Case Studies

For some, gone are the days when ‘tailoring’ was for your CV and cover letter. More and more hiring manager’s articles are putting a huge emphasis on the importance of designers showcasing relevant experience for the role and the company they are applying to, in the portfolio. They claim that they are looking for a particular skill and are not interested in our focus on highlighting achievements from our current company.

While others emphasize the importance of recent work, typically within the last 4 years, roaring about their disappointment in the applicants and the need for freshness and relevance. This expectation stems from the belief that recent work is a more accurate representation of a designer’s current skills and trend awareness.

Where do we (job seekers) start? As designers, we are already in a constant battle of diversifying our skills. Not only in the craft, shifting from UX and UI to our skills and knowledge requirements slowly becoming indistinguishable from that of product manager/owner.

I’ve recently had an interview for a Lead role that required a non-negotiable 4 days in the office. It turns out, that my would-be manager, the head of product, was based in another country, enjoying the perks of fully remote work. So he required me, the designer, to be in the office to, and I quote, ‘Fill in for my absence, manage the Dev team and their workflow and help set product direction.’ Needless to say, I wasn’t going to sign up for a two-man job…

On the other end of the spectrum, the emphasis on recency might overshadow the value of showcasing projects with lasting impact, especially when these projects align with the designer’s expertise and the hiring company’s needs.

Seeing the uprise of one-(wo)man-band design roles, shouldn’t the focus be on assessing a candidate’s problem-solving skills, planning, strategy and thought processes? Allowing room for diverse experiences and skills that contribute to a rich professional background. Isn’t it worth considering that candidates might possess a diverse skill set that goes beyond a specific job relevance? Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, or in more recent blog trends ‘expect us to wear your Catwalk size’?

Recruiters should appreciate designers who bring a broad set of skills and problem-solving capabilities. If you are a hiring manager, looking for something very specific, I implore you to highlight this in your job postings. Enable your applicants to put their best foot forward, which hopefully will also ease the number of applications in your backlog. That is not to say, you should have a ten-page document detailing this job role. But merely, the need for you to specify what is important to you.

Using Past Performance as a Predictor

In another instance, I was booked for a 2-hour first interview with the hiring manager at a successful scale-up. Yep, another head of product, a proud holder of the famed Forbes 30under30 title three years ago. After a bit of small talk and introducing himself, he asked me to introduce myself by starting with my very first job, to be as detailed as possible, informing me that he’d interrupt me with questions to get specific information as I told my story. Mind you, I have 10 years of experience to sift through, not to mention I don’t remember what I ate yesterday, let alone remember why I made an everyday decision 10 years ago. As a result, we didn’t have time left for me to ask questions. But I tried to squeeze in one question, as I was dying to figure out why I had to recount my experience from graduation to now. To which he responded, ‘In my experience, your early career is a strong indicator of your future performance.’ … … … Wait, what?

It’s essential to recognise that past performance is not a definitive predictor of future success. A candidate’s ability to adapt, learn, and contribute to new challenges is equally crucial. Of course, we should encourage candidates to articulate the impact of their projects, emphasizing the importance of quantifiable results. However, relying solely on past performance as an indicator of future success has its limits. Each company’s culture and challenges are unique, and candidates should be evaluated holistically rather than solely based on past achievements.

There’s a counter-perspective that dwelling on past difficulties might not be universally well-received. Some cultures, industries or managers may prefer a forward-looking approach, focusing on aspiration and future contributions rather than past struggles. Acknowledging challenges is important, and transparency is valuable, but the emphasis should be on learning experiences and how candidates approach problem-solving, ensuring a positive and constructive narrative.

Pigeonholing Candidates

Some articles suggest that candidates should explicitly state what they drove in a project and avoid using “we” statements. Since when did good designers work alone? What rock have I been living under? When did we start crafting great user experiences in silo?

Projects in real-world settings often involve collaboration, creating a feedback loop and the designer not being precious about their primary idea, an experienced designer should be able to quickly pivot when required. Attributing success solely to one individual might oversimplify the dynamics.

Not to mention, designers often take on roles and responsibilities that extend beyond direct design work, such as leadership, strategy, or mentorship. Acknowledging teamwork and collaboration is a strength. Candidates should strike a balance, highlighting their contributions while acknowledging the collaborative nature of most projects.

The Application Process

On one occasion, an interesting job advert took me to an online form, all the usual stuff, CV, cover letter, why should we hire you’s, followed by a form requiring excruciating details about past and side projects. Not only that, questions around ‘equal opportunities’ were made mandatory, with no option of ‘I prefer not to answer’. Nevertheless, with a raised eyebrow, and my third eye having visions of red flags, I was too invested at this point and continued page after page. At the end, I was met with the final task to ‘Please upload a video of you presenting a project.’ Mmmmkay, I am now too far in, there is no turning back, let’s continue… Hit submit for the comprehensive essay-style application. Not a minute passes and Ping, it’s a confirmation email. The email included a link to the task. I click on the link “You have 3 days to complete these 3 exercises, your application will not be considered if you do not complete this task” … … …

Okay… it took me a while and several meditation sessions to process this one. As a designer, I have made peace with the fact that often, we are undervalued. That we just have to do better, learn more, and keep up with the rapid changes in our industry, the evolution of our job titles, confusing expectations, and the need to wear different hats when required.

Instances of employees and candidates alike feeling undervalued are more prevalent than you’d think. We went from user-centred design to the reality of ‘business-centred’ design, where our primary responsibility is presenting the illusion of an aura of care, endlessly battling capitalism into giving a shit, about us and about the users we design for. But no worries, we love our craft. We are chameleons, we’ll relentlessly shift our colours time and time again. We will adapt, that is our nature and a requirement of our profession. But do we have to accept disrespectful treatment? Minimise our contribution and effort to the success of the companies we serve.

From long waiting times to abrupt communication breakdowns, and now a completely faceless recruitment process where we can’t even find out if the effort is worth it… information is a big part of the design process and emailing a task with the confirmation of an application is ridiculous. How do you expect the designer to come up with a suitable solution? Good design doesn’t happen in isolation. Why should recruitment?

It’s crucial to recognize the diversity in designers’ backgrounds, skills, and problem-solving approaches. Tailoring applications is beneficial, but a rigid process might inadvertently exclude talented individuals with a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to offer. By embracing a more inclusive evaluation approach, recruiters can enrich their teams with unique skills and fresh perspectives. A more balanced approach that considers the enduring impact of design, the diverse roles designers play, and the need for a comprehensive view of a designer’s capabilities can lead to more informed hiring decisions.

Hiring managers should recognize that the depth and breadth of a designer’s experience are equally valuable, and a nuanced evaluation process can better capture the intricacies of a designer’s journey. That evaluation cannot happen over a form, in a faceless context. The job seekers who aren’t merely looking for the next paycheck should be allowed to evaluate you, the prospective employer, equally.

Conclusion

As hiring managers, we job seekers appreciate your guidance and advice through your blog posts. But here is some feedback from a Job Seeker: You are also designing our experience and it is your duty as a leader to set standards in this volatile industry. You need to equalize your behaviour and your expectations. It’s really simple, start wearing your design-thinking hat and consider us, the job seekers, your primary users.

No matter the market conditions, the world of hiring is a two-way street, why should that change for designers? As much as designers are advised to curate their portfolios in this way and that way, approach job applications strategically and avoid one-click applications. Companies have to address their share of missteps in their process as well.

“I have no special talent, I am only passionately curious.” — Albert Einstein

We are all familiar with the old proverb “Curiosity killed the cat,” which was originally used as a warning to discourage nosiness. Many of us heard this when we were young as if it was a convenient, time-saving tool for our parents. However, this advice is neither helpful nor accurate. At its core, it discourages critical thinking, suggesting that it’s better to remain ignorant and safe than take risks and empower yourself with knowledge.

Over the decades, this proverb has been modified with additions such as “but the truth brought it back,” “but satisfaction brought it back,” and my personal favourite, “but information made it fat”. Who doesn’t love a curious and well-fed cat? ( — and who doesn’t like rhymes!?)

Curiosity makes everything new, it’s refreshing. Curiosity is exploration. Curiosity is play. Curiosity is excitement. Most of all, curiosity is luck. It is only by being curious that we find unimagined, unpredictable and surreal opportunities and experiences.

Curiosity plays a crucial role in childhood development and is a driving force behind scientific discoveries and artistic creations. Curiosity’s influence extends to various disciplines, including neuroscientific research and computational models of infant-like robots. As a result, its impact on our daily lives is becoming increasingly apparent.

The more we nurture curiosity, the healthier, more productive and effective we become. In fact, if you truly want to train your brain and enhance your intellectual abilities, cultivating curiosity about the world is one of the best ways to achieve that. To build better relationships, it is advisable to ask questions, listen attentively, and be curious about the person you are trying to connect with. In the workplace, fostering curiosity increases engagement, job satisfaction, and acts as a shield against burnout.

Understanding The Neurological Dance of Curiosity

Curiosity is not just a fleeting emotion; it’s a powerful force for effective learning and cognitive development. From the moment we’re born, curiosity sparks our inquisitive minds. By the age of three, most children begin their journey of asking profound questions, becoming the architects of their cognitive development.

Research using advanced neuroimaging techniques sheds light on the neurological dance that occurs when curiosity takes centre stage. A study conducted by psychologists at the University of California involved 19 volunteers to explore 100 trivia questions, the study showcased fascinating findings about the activities in our brain when we are curious.

Dopamine, the Pleasure Molecule

When participants were at their most curious, parts of their brains associated with gratification and rewards were activated. The hippocampus, a vital component of the limbic system responsible for emotions and memory, showed increased activity. This underlines the idea that we learn more effectively when our curiosity is piqued.

The Role of Cortisol

Interestingly, curiosity triggers the release of dopamine, the brain’s natural wonder drug. This neurotransmitter is linked to pleasure and is released when we experience enjoyable activities. Additionally, a small amount of cortisol, the stress hormone, is released, stimulating curious behaviour. This blend of neurotransmitters and hormones solidifies memories, making information more likely to stick.

The Two Faces of Curiosity

Curiosity manifests in two main forms perceptual and epistemic curiosity. It is crucial to differentiate between them by recognizing our state of mind when curiosity strikes.

1. Perceptual Curiosity

Driven by the need to settle the mind, it arises when solving problems or filling knowledge gaps. It’s an uncomfortable feeling caused by unexpected or contradictory information.

On January 7, 1918, within the grandeur of New York’s Hippodrome, Harry Houdini astounded thousands with his famed trick — the vanishing elephant. A colossal creature named Jennie, weighing 4,540kg entered a cabinet, and… after a dramatic pause, the doors reopened to reveal an empty space. The audience was left in awe, pondering the seemingly impossible.

The mystery behind Houdini’s illusion mirrors the enigma of perceptual curiosity itself. That’s why you are on the edge of your seat watching a thriller or unable to put down that murder mystery novel as you try to figure out ‘Who dunnit?’ page after page. It is also why you get sorely disappointed if the ending isn’t satisfactory. That’s your perceptual curiosity at play. Research suggests that succumbing to this temptation can be profoundly beneficial for our minds.

2. Epistemic Curiosity

Arises from a place of desire rather than necessity. It’s a pleasurable feeling, fuelled by anticipation and reward. This is the type of curiosity that drives scientists, designers, makers and inventors to make groundbreaking discoveries.

“To know that we know what we know, and to know that we do not know what we do not know, that is true knowledge.” — Nicolaus Copernicus

As a designer, my job is to be inquisitive, it is a mindset that seeks to understand and empathize with the end user, delving deep into their needs, challenges, and desires. It is the art of asking “why” incessantly. Not to question for the sake of scepticism, but to unravel the layers of a challenge, to peel back assumptions, and to reveal the heart of the matter. It is the driving force propelling the exploration of possibilities, and the discovery of innovative solutions. It involves an insatiable desire to understand the problem at its core, a willingness to step into the user’s shoes, and an openness to seeing the world from diverse perspectives. Just as curiosity sparks the flames of invention and creativity, a designer also harnesses that very curiosity to shape solutions that resonate, inspire, and ultimately enhance the human experience. Design, in my opinion, is a dynamic dance between curiosity and creation. The greater the curiosity of the designer, the more transformative and human-centred the solution becomes.

It’s The Key Ingredient To A Fulfilling and Memorable Life

“Neurons that fire together, wire together.” — Donald Hebb

Neurogenesis is the term given to the stimulation of brain growth. It is the process of the generation of neurons from neural stem cells and progenitor cells. While the majority of this neural activity occurs during prenatal development, it continues throughout our lifespan. This well-established phenomenon is frequently discussed in the context of brain training software, particularly for older adults experiencing cognitive decline or in the subject of boosting IQ. That’s why subscription games ‘designed to train your brain’ have flooded the market.

Stimulating specific brain regions through brain training supports continual growth and development in areas crucial for intellectual and cognitive pursuits. It’s not just about countering cognitive decline but nurturing the brain’s innate capacity for evolution, ensuring that the symphony of neural activities aligns with the pursuit of excellence and growth.

Curiosity’s greatest advantage lies in its ability to forge new neurological connections. Spending time exploring the new allows facts and experiences to weave into a cohesive web, enhancing efficiency in future decision-making. Continuously sharpening the skill of visualizing the interconnectedness of seemingly unrelated ideas. It fosters greater creativity and problem-solving capabilities. High curiosity correlated with a 30% increase in recall, aligning with heightened activity in midbrain areas releasing dopamine. The initial dopamine boost from curiosity could enhance memory for incidental information, even when unrelated to the primary pursuit.

Essentially, it’s the neurological equivalent of personal growth — inevitably creating new pathways in the brain by seeking and combining new information and experiences into our existing knowledge and mental models.

Get Unstuck with the Power of Curiosity

If you find yourself in a rut. The familiar suddenly becomes monotonous and the routine feels confining, curiosity can be your liberating ally, your ticket out. It has this remarkable ability to dismantle mental barriers and open new doors, by changing our perception. It’s the antidote to stagnation, the key to unlocking creativity, and the guiding light in our darkest hour.

Give Yourself Autonomy In Your Curiosity

“To yield to Resistance deforms our spirit. It stunts us and makes us less than we are and were born to be.”―Steven Pressfield

Try stuff. Empower yourself to explore at your own pace, and promote self-determination and independence. Don’t dwell on timelines and stress over ticking a box on your to-do list. A well-lived life is a portfolio of experiments, experiences and adventures. It is the connections you made along the way. It is falling, scraping your knee, and getting back up stronger. It is human nature to dwell on the bad, and quickly forget the good. By being curious, we start seeing hardships as lessons.

Not exploring is a life unlived. Don’t be reluctant to make mistakes or fear the unknown. Mistakes, given time and effort, are often fixable. The unknown is only scary until it is known. However, the things left undone, the dreams unfulfilled, linger in our thoughts as unchangeable aspects of the past, prompting reflections on how today could be different if those opportunities had been seized. Don’t become a statistic in the studies of regret. Wisdom does not necessarily come with age, but it certainly comes with experience and curiosity.

Embrace Diversity ― Identify Your Optimal Experience

“The best thing for being sad is to learn something. That’s the only thing that never fails. Learn why the world wags and what wags it. That is the only thing which the mind can never exhaust, never alienate, never be tortured by, never fear or distrust, and never dream of regretting. Learning is the only thing for you. Look what a lot of things there are to learn.” — Merlin ( in T.H. White’s ’The Once and Future King’)

Whilst curiously seeking out knowledge and experiences, embrace diverse approaches and formats such as videos, infographics, podcasts, webinars, workshops, forums, social meet-ups and anything that you can derive joy from to keep the experience engaging. Not everyone learns in the same way, in fact, there are theories that identify 4 learning styles Visual, Auditory, Read/Write, and Kinaesthetic.

I say theories because most of us learn by combining these styles. I have learned a little late, that I don’t subscribe to a particular style. During my educational years, I was one of those students who aced exams in the classes I attended religiously, I never opened a book, I just liked collecting them. This meant that for the longest time, I believed myself to be an auditory learner. But today, I do not retain a sentence from an audiobook. Realising that reading the physical book, helped me remember the content much longer. At work, I have to scribble notes during meetings, to never look back at them again. Collecting stacks of very expensive notebooks. I soon realised I had to write the words, with pen and paper, to retain the information. Maybe I have evolved and changed over time, maybe my style is dependent on context. The moral of the story is, that variety is the key (or spice) to keeping things interesting, dynamic and memorable.

Conclusion

We romanticise the curiosity of children because we love their innocence. We often admire and envy their audacious curiosity. But creativity and growth don’t happen in a void. Successful innovators, creators and artists curiously seek out knowledge and experiences that they can then draw on unthinkingly. Curiosity not only aligns with our natural human instincts but also enhances our experiences. As we set out to improve ourselves, our goal should be to be curious, ensuring a natural release of dopamine — the brain’s pleasure-inducing chemical, for continuous and successful growth.

What if you saw challenges as opportunities to learn and grow? What if setbacks were seen as stepping stones to progress? By fostering a growth mindset through curiosity, obstacles can be transformed into pathways for personal and professional development.

In our journey to effective personal development, we’ll find that curiosity becomes as irresistible as ice cream, as addictive as music, and as anticipated as days out in the sun ( — I live in England!). Every step toward behavioural change and cognitive development requires a generous dose of curiosity, making it an essential ingredient for unlocking the mysteries of our life, the essence of our experiences, and the exploration that will realise our grandiose dreams.

Have you ever looked at a job description and thought, “I’m not good enough”? Been in a room and felt “I don’t belong here!”? Refrain from starting something you’ve always wanted to do because you believe “I can’t do it!”?

You’re not alone. Self-doubt is a common human experience, with approximately a third of young people grappling with it. Studies suggest that up to 70% of people face impostor feelings at least once in their lives.

Personally, I have always struggled with feeling like I don’t belong. I was never Arab enough, African enough, Western enough, Brown enough, or Black enough. Even my 23andMe 🧬test results showed that I was no more than 20% of anything, with genetic markers from Sub-Saharan and Northern Africa to Western, Central, and Southern Asia. I even have 0.5% Indigenous American ancestry! Oh and I speak 4.5 languages. Not complicated at all, right?!

Growing up, this sense of not belonging was a source of pain for me. However, as an adult, I have come to think of myself as a Nomad, a child of this world who does not belong to or subscribe to any particular group. I belong to Mother Earth, a child of the universe beyond the reach of man-made borders. In this infinite space, the possibilities and communities are endless. “This capitalist ideology doesn’t serve, so why let it weigh me down!” I preached. That’s until I became a designer, the craft brought me face-to-face with the power of self-doubt.

In my journey, I found that it was a phenomenon that transcends any boundaries, not only on professional grounds but all aspects of life and stages. However, knowledge is power, and realising that even the world's greatest and most accomplished individuals could suffer from crippling self-doubt sent me on a search for a cure.

Jascha Heifetz — one of the greatest violinists in history.

A regular student came to his house one morning before a concert. He found Heifetz dressed in white tie and tails. Shocked, the student asked, “Mr. Heifetz, why are you dressed? Your concert is not for another 8 hours.” By this point, Heifetz had played to large audiences hundreds of times. The god of the violin replied, “Because if I don’t do it now, by six o’clock, my hands will be trembling, and I will not be able to do up my buttons.”

George Washington — the first president of the United States.

Before his Inauguration, Washington wrote to Supreme Court Chief Justice John Rutledge: “I greatly apprehend that my countrymen will expect too much from me. I fear, if the issue of public measures should not correspond with their sanguine expectations, they will turn the extravagant praises which they are heaping upon me at this moment into equally extravagant censures.”

Jodie Foster — Actress, filmmaker and recipient of numerous accolades.

Said in an interview on 60 Minutes after winning an Oscar for her role in The Accused “I thought it was a big fluke. The same way when I walked on the campus at Yale, I thought everybody would find out, and then they’d take the Oscar back.”

Paul Cézanne — the father of modern art.

Cézanne started painting at the age of 21. At the age of 48, he wrote to a friend, “I find I am lacking in canvases that might be submitted for the delectation of art lovers. Wanting to offer for critical appraisal only those studies that might pass muster, I cannot take part in any exhibition.”

Understanding Imposter Syndrome — And Yourself.

Imposter Syndrome can manifest in many ways, including doubting your own credibility, feeling out of depth, and hesitating to advocate for yourself. Understanding the root causes of these feelings is important for overcoming them. It could be societal or familial expectations, perhaps it’s perfectionism, fear of failure, or countless other factors. In my case, it’s that voice constantly whispering ‘Am I here merely as a token?’ In the case of Cézanne, the roots of his chronic self-doubt lay in his relationship with his father. Louis-Auguste Cézanne was a successful entrepreneur, a proud self-made man who co-founded the Banque Cézanne et Cabassol.

This shows how the causes of this feeling can be complex, but ultimately, subjective in nature. The key to overcoming it is understanding your “why”.

One way to combat Imposter Syndrome is by recognizing that it is a temporary feeling. Occasional doubt is natural and does not necessarily mean that you are experiencing sustained Imposter Syndrome. Embracing the learning process and valuing mistakes are also essential for growth.

It’s worth noting that certain environments can exacerbate Imposter Syndrome, such as biased and non-inclusive environments. Factors, such as race, gender, or class, can contribute to feeling like an imposter due to scepticism and exclusionary practices. However, it’s important to remind yourself that this isn’t about you, but rather a product of your environment.

Why Embracing Self-Doubt Is Beneficial

Recognize that self-doubt is not a weakness; it’s a sign that you’re challenging yourself. In fact, only those striving for excellence often grapple with feelings of inadequacy. Embracing this discomfort can be transformative for your personal and professional growth. The fear of being exposed as a fraud can lead to a perpetual cycle of overachievement, as you strive to prove your worth to yourself and others.

Self-Doubt Indicates Growth

Feeling uncertain or doubting your capabilities is a clear signal that you’re stepping out of your comfort zone. Embrace self-doubt as evidence that you’re on the right path and actively growing.

Self-Doubt Drives Improvement

Success can breed complacency, but self-doubt acts as a powerful motivator to continually improve. The discomfort of doubt keeps you on your toes and propels you forward, pushing you to refine your skills and knowledge.

Using Self-Doubt as Fuel

“If you hear a voice within you say you cannot paint, then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced.” — Vincent Van Gogh

Instead of viewing self-doubt as a hindrance, leverage it as free fuel for your journey. Transform doubt into a driving force that propels you towards your goals, encouraging continuous learning and development.

It’s Not That Bad — Once You Learn How to Harness Its Power

While a moderate amount of imposter syndrome can be beneficial, it’s essential to avoid letting it become paralyzing. Excessive self-doubt may hinder progress and prevent you from taking necessary risks. Impostor syndrome is a nuanced challenge with roots in individual experiences and systemic biases. By understanding its various facets and implementing changes at both individual and environmental levels, we can all foster environments where self-doubt is addressed empathetically, and everyone can thrive in their journeys.

Identify Your ‘Why’

Understanding the root cause of impostor feelings allows you to reason with yourself, be a lot more effective in your communication and give you the ability to seek support.

Compare You to You (and no one else!)

• Orient yourself by clarifying your personal expectations, whether that is for your role and career progression or hobbies, life goals and passions.
• Recognize your own journey, identify knowledge gaps objectively, and embrace growth with curiosity and patience.

Show Up through Self-Advocacy

• Document your wins, be your own hype machine, and share your achievements with others.
• Practice self-advocacy by embracing opportunities and negotiating for what you deserve.

Inclusive and Safe Environments

• Remember that you are not alone in this feeling. Creating an environment where you feel safe expressing vulnerability is crucial.
• Find ways to foster a sense of belonging. Be an advocate in your space and rectify structural barriers that hinder the success of others and you’ll find allies.
• Seek psychological safety with your friends, family and teams or find support from empathetic peers or professional coaches.

Conclusion: In a world full of complexities, embracing self-doubt can be the key to success. By recognizing it as a natural part of the human journey and utilizing it as a catalyst for growth, you can navigate its challenges and harness your imposter powers, emerging more resilient and accomplished in your career and life. Remember, self-doubt is not a roadblock; it’s a stepping stone toward continuous improvement and success.