Imposter syndrome or just genuinely biting off more than you can chew? What are some ways you’ve learned to spot the difference?

(Context – new job offer is big and a jump for me. I’m scared I’ll fail)

When you get scared, remember there are stupid people in high level positions simply because their dad’s golfing friend got them the role.

Allow yourself the opportunity to fail up, just like society has historically and continues to give other less competent people the endless opportunity to fail up over and over. Think of it as your turn.

Helps me to ask myself why I'm struggling. Do I not have enough information, do I not have enough training where others would? Do I not have enough time, or if I do and others are able to do it in that time, are there areas that I might be able to automate or ways to cut the fat? What is it that makes me feel under-qualified? If it is tangible, it is fixable. If it is a sense of "I just don't think I can do it as well" it is imposter syndrome and you have to tell yourself just push through.

If you survive, you tell yourself you just had imposter syndrome. If you drown and bomb, pick yourself off, you just bit off more than you can chew. You can’t get to the next level without taking a big ole bite, and you honestly don’t know which way it’ll go so might as well try

What's the position?
But first congratulations, you should pat yourself in the back.
Secondly, we are only limited by our own expectations -what's a leap to you may be a norm for someone else.

Ask yourself this, if you were a guy, would you be feeling this way? Get out of your own head and way.

Imposter syndrome keeps us grounded, it's a good reminder of the privilege we've been given.

Hope this helps.

I was in this position last year. Except that I exaggerated a bit during my interviews and when I got the job, I was a bit lost. Very lost. What matters to the management is how you handle your situation as there are inevitably things you wouldn't know. Why I say this is that even if you are an imposter like I was, you can do it. And you are not an imposter so, you have nothing to worry about

You got the job. Someone has confidence in you. Believe them until you believe it in yourself.

This would be great to know. I’m having a hard time with a new position I took and everyone tells me I’m over thinking and that I have some imposter syndrome. I think I’m just generally doing terrible. 🫤

It could be both! I know that I’m really hard on myself and I’m often raising the bar. On the stuff that you are stuck on write down your goal then try to break it down into smaller and smaller bites.
The big secret is that everyone is just figuring it out and no one is expecting you to have all of the answers- when I approach challenges with this attitude I feel like we can have some more humility and figure it out as a team .
I’ll also writing all of this as reminder to myself

I have a 4yo! I became HoF of a company that was going through some major changes; I was not told I have lost 3 members of staff before I even started. It was mad. The workload was incredible.
I still pick up my kid at reasonable time and make sure I spend quality time with her. Then I work in the evening and early morning before school run. It's not ideal but it's working for me. I communicate with the boss about the progress, where I am failing and why. You can't split yourself in two, but you need to acknowledge it and be heard. Good luck.

Fake it till you make it.

I want to say one more thing on this topic as I navigate similar waters- regardless how experienced (or not) a a leader is, anytime there is change there’s is a learning period not just learning your job but learning how to work with your new, your new team, your new reports. Everyone is learning how to work with you as much as your are learning how to work with them. The best thing to do is try, take swings see what works - you learn a lot regardless of your experience - and good luck!!!!