The Antidote to the Imposter Syndrome
Loriana Sekarski
Loriana Sekarski is the founder and president of BONSAI, a consulting company that transforms leaders (and businesses) into the best version of themselves. Outside of BONSAI, Loriana serves as an adjunct professor at Washington University's graduate student program. Additionally, she's fine-tuning her passion project, TakeFlight, a program that addresses domestic abuse within the Christian community.
Twice in the last week, I’ve asked myself, “How can I do this? I’m not what they expect.” or “How will I have credibility, or will I lose it when they find out?” I realized that those questions are similar to what we hear leaders ask that we work with. For example, one client shared, ”This project will end badly when they discover I don’t know what I am doing.”
Have you ever wondered along those same lines?
I also discovered in the musings the antidote. When it happened the second time this morning, a light bulb turned on, and so I hope you find this as helpful as I did.
The Struggle is Real
The first time this occurred we are proposing a cohort for pastors to develop as leaders and cultivate skills not taught in seminaries. When I read the bios of the other cohort instructors, I realized our bios didn’t compare to their histories of planting churches or being pastors. We realized we would fail in trying to measure up to those standards. We would instead focus on how we are uniquely different, having coached hundreds of leaders and our expertise in engagement and soft skills development.
The second time is in the teaching of a two-year intensive discipleship process that transforms believers into people who live out their faith deliberately, like trained athletes. The current instructor is a pastor who has a depth of scripture and contextual knowledge that is rare and truly a gift. Even with years of study, I would never approach his level of intellect or depth.
"It hit me; I was worried about being an imposter in both cases. But really, I was just different from the others. Still qualified but differently talented. And I think that is the key."
Then I read that the course is more about the process and practicing faith vs. accumulating information. Now that I can do so—I have a lifetime of transformation stories, and we have worked hard to integrate our faith walk into every part of our lives (and we can talk about what happens when we don’t).
It hit me; I was worried about being an imposter in both cases. But really, I was just different from the others. Still qualified but differently talented. And I think that is the key.
The Solution
As long as we can do the work, we need to focus on what makes us uniquely qualified, not unlike a company with a differentiated (niche) strategy. People develop brand loyalty because they value the different features of the product.
If you struggle with not measuring up, maybe you are asking the wrong question. Instead, ask,
- What makes me able to do this task or job well?
- What experiences, talents, gifts, or passions do I bring that distinguish me from the rest?
- Why do these unique features have value for those I am helping, working with, or leading?
Then rest in the answers to these questions.
This approach does not mean we don’t need minimal competence in some areas to do the job. And for those, we can intentionally gain that knowledge or experience. For instance, we attended an intensive training on church planting and are taking steps to build our expertise in this vital aspect of kingdom building.
It does mean that we can walk in confidence, speak into what we do know, and contribute in ways for which God created us.
