The Imposter Syndrome fear should only end in something as ludicrous as the following scenario.
I’m giving a speech on stage. I have no idea what I’m talking about, but the words seem to fool the audience, and I’m gaining confidence. Suddenly a shout echoes out from somewhere in the audience. A woman in a matching red trench coat and red hat runs forward onto the stage.
“This man,” she yells, heightening the suspense and pointing her finger with a dramatic flourish, is an imposter!”
Now Carmen San Diego, a wonderful imposter herself, may not be on the hunt to expose you, but the fear still lingers for those suffering from imposter syndrome. There is plenty of research supporting the idea that Imposter Syndrome can be entirely irrational. We can be in complete control of a situation and still have doubts in the back of our minds about our competence. It’s not about what we know or who we are; it’s about never knowing enough.
If you have this fear, you’re probably not an imposter. However, imposters lurk among us.
We’ve seen people who don’t know what they’re doing. However, there’s a difference between being unsure and being an imposter. The only way we can grow is by doing something new, and our culture moves forward only when people dare to take risks. Admitting that you’re experimenting does not make you an imposter.
Imposters are trying to make you think they know more than they do. I think public speaking and imposters can go hand-in-hand because skilled imposters can talk their way out of a situation where they lack sufficient expertise. Here are a few ways to guard against being exposed as an imposter.
Did you take shortcuts?
The problem with shortcuts is that, if taken, we don’t know the long way. The first time we try something, shortcuts are dangerous. Then, if something breaks or the shortcut becomes blocked, we’re lost.
Once, a speaker asked an ethical question involving the work they were doing admitted to not considering ethics. They fell into the job without understanding the complexities of the industry. I’m happy to send you their prison mailing address if you’d like to follow up on how that decision turned out. (I’m kidding, they’re out of prison now).
Are you prepared?
I am a person who finds a thrill in “winging it.” It adds a level of adrenaline to a problem or a situation. However, when other people are involved, winging it can go very wrong.
One time a video speaker appeared on the side of the road and just starting spouting off nonsense. Then, without explanation, the speaker made some obscene analogies and destroyed any carpool credibility he might have garnered.
Have you thought through your audience’s response?
What are you going to do when someone in your audience tries to interrogate you? Do you have the knowledge base to counteract Carmen San Diego if she questions your credibility?
With speakers, it’s usually in the Q & A where the frauds are exposed. You should anticipate many questions in advance if you have a basic knowledge of your subject area. However, you can deftly deal with the ones you can’t anticipate.
If someone is getting very technical with their question, invite them to talk to you separately. Say that you don’t want to bore your audience. On the other hand, if someone brings in knowledge you don’t have, say that. It usually builds credibility.
What do you do when something goes wrong?
If the Super Bowl stadium can lose power (as it did in New Orleans), your PowerPoint slides may fail, and the internet may not work. You may not be able to use a microphone, and you may be interrupted.
Murphy’s law that anything that can go wrong will go wrong is fully displayed when you’re speaking in public.
How do you handle these missteps? The professional prepares for things to go wrong and can recover with a sense of humor. Recovering smoothly after technical challenges actually elevates your credibility. That’s no imposter. Did you see how he dodged those thrown shoes?