b'IMPOSTER SYNDROME IS THE FRAUD, NOT YOUExperts discuss how imposter syndrome is morecommon than you think. Sonja BegemannHAVE YOU EVERentered a new role, taken on newthe good as much, she explains. Its like social media, no one responsibilities or looked at your professional career andannounces their failures, only the good things. They arent going doubted yourself? If youve sat wondering if youre a fraud,to say it took 15 tries to get one idea to workso you cant com-questioning if you deserve accolades or showcased other feel- pare your experiences to someone elses.ings of self-deprecation, youre displaying sure signs of imposter syndrome. Encourage EmployeesThese feelings of self-doubt are common, but dont needSimply acknowledging employees and giving them praise for to be a hinderance to your career. There are simple tips to helptheir work are a couple steps employers can take to encourage yourself, your peers and your employees overcome imposteremployees. In addition, supporting employees through training syndrome and perform to their highest potential. and providing good communication can bolster their confi-Its this kind of doubt, just ever-present doubt about whetherdence.you truly belong where you areif youve achieved what youWhen Im working with students, I like to focus on them as think youve achieved, says Lynn Sosnoskie, assistant professorhuman beings and not just cogs in some sort of wheel to achieve at Cornell and a weed scientist. Its focusing on the negativesomething, Sosnoskie says. I want them to know they are thoughts in your mind. unique and important, and they shouldnt focus on what they werent successful at.Disable Your Inner Critic Thinking about how the other person is feelingwhich is Its easy to focus on limiting factorstheres not enough time,natural in your personal lifeis invaluable in the workplace, too. resources, information, skillset, etc. without realizing the factorsSupport can help your employees overcome imposter syndrome that do make you qualified. Its a practice of negative self-talk toand therefore make them more productive.try to avoid. One of the things I value most when on a team is volunteer-Recognizing those feeling and powering through, saysing to be the person who says I am happy to talk to you anytime Portia Stewart, owner of Mindful Creatives, a business consult- you have concerns, Stewart says. Letting people share their ing company. If we can say I can do this, and even though yourideas and being open to hearing them and giving them your best inner critic is on one shoulder, listen to your inner counselor onadvice and being supportive and encouraging.the other who is saying you are good enough and you can beWhen sharing criticism with employees, Stewart shares its successful. important to find a balance during these tough conversations. You can be successful but its important to remember failureConsider finding a positive, ask questions to understand if there will still happen, the important issue is how you react. was confusion and work together to figure out what can be done Stop defining it as a failure and define it as a learning experi- in the future to avoid issues.ence, Stewart continues. Look at all of the companies doing theI also think about how people want to be spoken to, biggest and greatest things, they have 50 failures for everythingCampbell advises. For example, the way I want to be spoken to that is even marginally successful. Think of it as experimentationis not the same as my husband and my kids communicate differ-and learning. ently, too.For Indiana farmer, author, podcaster and blogger JennCommunication in a positive way that encourages empathy Campbell, imposter syndrome is a reality in her life, but she triesgoes a long way to encourage employees.SWto help her children and employees understand a more positive way to look at experiences.Ive tried to teach my kids that if you dont experience theMake sure to watch the full conversation at youtu.be/_YjPIFpYkj4bad or those hard times in your life, you might not appreciate 44/ SEEDWORLD.COMSEPTEMBER 2022'