In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about dealing with drama at work. Because we’re complex humans, it can be challenging to navigate other people’s drama without making it about ourselves. In reality, though, very little about other people’s behaviors has anything to do with us. This week, I’m talking with Brenda Neckvatal, a human results professional who helps leaders tackle their toughest people challenges. Here she shares how she softened her own edges with support fr...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about pressures on working parents in the workplace. If you’re a working parent, you know how challenging it is to navigate the pressures of advancing your career while being the parent you want to be. Unfortunately, many of us put a lot of pressure on ourselves to be perfect at work and at home. My guest this week is Moe Carrick, a workplace culture expert who is on a mission to make every workplace good for people because when people t...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about well-being. What does well-being look like to you? This is a question we don’t often ask ourselves but, if we want to be “successful,” it’s important to consider. My guest this week is Meico Marquette Whitlock, a well-being strategist. Here we talk about how to prioritize well-being individually and collectively. Meico shares 3 powerful questions to help us identify what’s within our control and take small but meaningful action ste...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about side hustles. Side hustles are a popular experiment these days but, for those of us who struggle with impostor syndrome and other fears, the process can be daunting. My guest this week, Jen Lewi, is an executive coach with a specialty in career strategy. Here she shares how she started her coaching business as a side hustle before officially making it her full-time role. Jen and I chat about how to come up with an idea for a side h...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about focusing on what’s within our control. If you’re like me, you’re worrying about the upcoming election, climate change, social issues, and much more. But, while it’s important to be aware of our macro-environments, it’s even more important to focus on what’s within our control. This week, I’m talking with Lissy Alden, the founder of MYNDY, a mental fitness company that helps people build better behavioral and thought patterns. Here ...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about personal empowerment. If we let impostor syndrome control our personal narratives, we may be giving away our power in ways we don’t realize. My guest this week, Marjorie Ngwenya, is a board member, coach, consultant, speaker and author of the book, Empowered Evolution. Here we talk about Marjorie’s early career experiences, having had to leave university in London due to the crash of the Zimbabwe dollar. This led her to a career at...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about breaking free from adopting others’ personas and embracing our own. Many of us have found ourselves impersonating those around us, either because we lacked the confidence to be our true selves, or we were told, implicitly or explicitly, that we had to behave in certain ways to fit into the culture around us. My guest this week, Danielle Droitsch, an executive coach and former non-profit leader, shares how she went from mimicking he...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about how to create a meaningful “now” in the midst of everything going on in the world around us. With the upcoming election here in the US, volatility across the world and constant negativity on social media and the news, how do we get back on track and shift our attention to building a better now? This week, I talk with Greg Bennick, keynote speaker and author of the book, Reclaim the Moment: Seven Strategies to Build a Better Now. He...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about the fear of flourishing. Many of us grew up in families where we were made to feel that chasing our dreams meant getting too big for our britches. Or we’ve been afraid that if we become too successful, we’ll lose our friends or our community. My guest this week, Rebecca Anne Nguyen, author of the new novel, The 23rd Hero, shares her journey of overcoming self-doubt as she pivoted to novel writing. She also shares strategies for add...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about building stronger relationships with ourselves. We often think we know ourselves well but, in reality, we’re too busy living and reacting to the demands around us to notice the way our thoughts, feelings and actions influence our experience in the world. My guest this week is Pallavi Srivastava, executive coach and author of the book, Relationship with the Self. In addition to discussing the importance of strengthening our relation...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about the pressures facing introverts. Many introverts believe that they need to be more extroverted in order to achieve success in the workplace. As a result, they exhaust themselves by trying to be someone they’re not. My guest this week, Kimberly Charvet, shares how she went from growing up with extrovert envy to recognizing that her introversion is actually a superpower. Here she shares insights and strategies to help other introvert...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about hidden leaders. Hidden leaders, according to my guest, Ali Wilson, possess traits that make them great leaders but, paradoxically, also keep them from reaching higher levels of leadership. Here we discuss the ways in which we overvalue confidence, and even narcissism, which holds hidden leaders back. We also explore ways that hidden leaders can emerge from the shadows. Ali also offers one of my favorite reframes of impostor syndrom...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about navigating self-doubt as an “only”. My guest this week, Carrie Driscoll, is the co-founder of Reef Consulting. Here she shares her career journey from winning a college scholarship as the only female in computer science to working in software startups to eventually founding her on consulting firm. Carrie shares how she navigates self-doubt and offers tips and strategies we can all use to show up more confidently at work.About My Gu...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about middle management. Many of us don’t like to think of ourselves this way but if you’re responsible for managing up and down, you’re likely a middle manager. My guest this week is Jeff Sigel, author of the book The Middle Matters, a Toolkit for Middle Managers. Jeff argues that middle managers are actually doing three roles at once – doing, leading and influencing. But they’re not often given proper guidance on how to effectively per...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about balancing work with career management. Many women tend to struggle with prioritizing their own career growth because they’re too focused on the needs of the business. This week, I talk with Marja Wagenaar, a leadership specialist, former member of parliament in the Netherlands and author of “The Leadership Book for Women”. Here we discuss the ways in which we hold ourselves back by doing silent work without recognition, hesitating ...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about people management. Whether or not you manage people today, you likely know that it’s a tough job! Not only do you have responsibility for a team of people who are relying on you but you’ve likely gotten very little training and support on how to lead them effectively. My guest this week is Cree Scott, founder and CEO of Serenity and consulting psychologist who specializes in human-centered leadership development. Here we talk about...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about the power of an anti-vision. Visions can be inspiring but they’re often not powerful enough to break through fear. My guest this week, author and coach Scott Allan, talks about how he uses an anti-vision to push himself out of his comfort zone and face his fears. We also talk about the importance of reminding ourselves that confidence follows action, celebrating small wins and recognizing when we might be a little too comfortable. ...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk stress and burnout. If you’re a high achiever (hint: if you’re listening to this podcast, you are), you’re likely at higher risk for stress and burnout because of the way you approach your work. My guest this week is Avery Thatcher, a former ICU nurse who now specializes in burnout recovery. Avery shares her personal journey as someone who understood the risk factors for burnout yet still suffered from what she refers to as her own epic ...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about how using problem-solving frameworks can help you ease self-doubt and make better decisions. My guest this week, Tommy Ogden, co-founder of Activera Consulting, shares his career journey, including the twists and turns along the way. Here we talk about the importance of trying new things to figure out what you want to do, failing quickly and moderating your expectations when you’re learning something new. Tommy also shares practica...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about the link between our identities and our jobs. Losing or leaving our jobs can be emotionally challenging because of the weight our jobs hold in our lives. Too often, we continue along the path in front of us because we’re afraid of who we’ll be, or won’t be, if we make a career change. My guest this week, Jen Lewi is the founder and CEO of Design Your Next Step. Here we talk about how to navigate the grief and identity challenges we...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about managing the pressure to be an A student at work. Many of us felt really comfortable in school because we were given very clear instructions. The workplace, unfortunately, does not come with clear instructions, yet we cling to old habits for the illusion of emotional safety these habits bring us. My guest this week, Lauree Ostrofsky, helps introverts, A students and overthinkers to more confidently take their next leap. Here Lauree...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about social competence. Many of us are uncomfortable in social situations because we struggle with self-doubt, have had negative experiences in our past or we’re not sure how to engage. But that wasn’t always the case. Most of us started out as pretty confident children who made ourselves smaller and smaller over time. My guest this week, Devon O’Brien Ash is the founder of Social Fluency. Here we talk about how to build our confidence ...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about intentional leadership. Intentional leadership looks different to different people. To my guest this week, Juan Alvarado, a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach, U.S. Army veteran and leadership expert, intentional leadership is not about us as leaders. It’s about consistently asking ourselves, “Who does this person need me to be right now?” Whether that person is your employee, your spouse or your child, it’s about showing up in the w...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about setting yourself up for success in your job search. Whether you’re actively in a job search or just starting to think about making a change, this episode is for you. My guest this week, Michelle Merritt, is the Chief Strategy Officer at D&S Executive Career Management. Here we explore how to maximize your resume, including how to use ChatGPT. We also discuss how to talk about negative job situations when you’re interviewing, ho...