Erik S. sat at a conference table in his undergraduate honors English class at UCLA, listening to peers read their assigned essays and deliver constructive criticism. He had earned a spot among them through dedicated, hard work. But he was suddenly gripped by an almost paralyzing fear.
“I don’t belong here,” he thought to himself.
Looking around the room, he couldn’t see any outward signs that anyone else there was thinking what he was thinking. That must make it true, right?
*****************************
Erik’s story——retold on my podcast, as well as recounted in this chapter to the book he & I (& other experts) collaborated to write——is one many of us share. We work hard to earn a place at a particular table, arrive for the very first time … & immediately feel out of place & that we potentially don’t belong.
It’s more than just that healthy survival instinct that piques our fight-or-flight in new situations. It can perhaps be a version of imposter syndrome.
In Chapter 16 of the newly-released book Peak Performance Mindset Tools for Leaders, I dive into Erik’s story, plus similar arcs by my clients & colleagues in the business & non-profit world.
Exploring the typical waves & crests of this often secret fear, we run the whole experience through the filter of The 4 Steps to Learning:
Unconscious Incompetence
Conscious Incompetence
Conscious Competence
Unconscious Competence
To find out what important role imposter syndrome plays in this standard learning path, order your book today! Kindle versions are still available for only .99 for the next few days.
The expert collab book is a great way to distill quick info from various perspectives on a hot & timely subject. Peak Performance Mindset Tools for Leaders is part of this group of Amazon best sellers on development & growth economics …
… & this group on non-profit management & leadership. Happy reading to all you learners-as-leaders!