Overcoming Imposter Thoughts during Transition - A Case Study

Not long ago, we were approached with a request to support an individual who had recently been promoted to a senior role in a retail business; a role which came with increased seniority and visibility.

It became apparent in conversation that the individual was experiencing imposter thoughts relating to her own view of her ability to do the role. She was naturally self-critical, and the need to rely more on her own perceptions was amplified by the decrease in external validation around her from her own senior line manager and stakeholders. 

Her negative thought processes were adversely impacting her confidence, job satisfaction, wellbeing and engagement with her team. She was struggling with the significant challenge she faced.

Thankfully, she was able to access coaching support to help her successfully transition into her new role.

Our Coach’s Approach

Helen Brooks, one of our experienced coaches, provided the support to this individual throughout this transitional period. With an overarching goal focused on helping her to both understand and effectively manage her negative thoughts, the work all centred around helping her to be both successful and fulfilled in her new role.

Coach and coachee identified a number of critical phases important for them to work through together – starting with increasing understanding of the imposter thoughts, their prevalence and how they were manifesting for her client.

This was followed by an active process involving the positive reframing of experiences aimed at helping her to manage her negative outlook.

Helen’s final steps were to build on this increased understanding by focusing on her coachee’s self-awareness of and appreciation for her strengths. Addressing when they were positively at play, as well as noting the occasions when they were being overplayed and working against her. 

Providing meaningful support

Over an 8 month period, Helen and her coachee worked closely together, with Helen helping the individual to understand her imposter thoughts, their triggers and manifestations and to find practical ways to manage her negative outlook.

Through a series of supportive and skilled coaching sessions, she walked with her on this path to self-compassion, understanding and discovery.

During their partnership, they developed a strong and trusting relationship, enabling high levels of supported challenge to come into the conversations. Helen worked alongside her client as she challenged herself to take new actions and apply new strategies as time progressed.

And with each success, the individual increased her positive outlook and became increasingly more able to recognise and challenge those imposter thoughts that still arose.

The leader’s desire to step into the uncomfortable and the unknown and to explore new approaches enabled her to make really significant progress.

Results

With resilience and commitment to the coaching process, the leader transitioned happily and successfully into her new senior role.  

As a result of her hard work, and the relationship with Helen, she has learned to:  

·      Proactively manage her imposter thoughts

·      Re-engage positively in her role

·      Reduce the volume and frequency of negative self-talk

·      Adapt her leadership style as a result of her increased self-awareness

·      Became better equipped to support those in her team with similar experiences

 She remains fulfilled in that position, and although those imposter thoughts naturally still raise their voices from time to time, she is well placed to manage the triggers, notice the thoughts and to respond effectively.