Fake it till you make it
Do you guys agree with this statement? Does achieving success require putting on a certain persona, sometimes that conflicts with who you are? How does this apply to the Big 4?
Time and time again if someone (director, client, etc) Asked me a question I'd just ask my senior. Senior would give me the answer. I'd report back to the person asking the question with the answer. Then that person would think I was smart. This has been going on for years. They will find out I'm a fraud eventually.
The setback is if this is repeated often, you'll be perceived by seniors as a person who needs too much hand holding--unless an important question is asked that the senior needs to make the call
Your senior probably learned a lot using the same methods. Your responsibility is to get knowledge wherever you can and become proficient enough that people start coming to you for answers so you can then pass the baton to the others coming up underneath you. Always be learning, always be teaching. You don't have to know everything to be a teacher, you just need to know something that another person doesn't know.
Pretending you know more and can do more than you actually can is how work is sold. Yes.
I hate this phrase. I reported to the COO early in my management career who advised exactly that behind closed doors. I lost all respect for him that day. In advisory, I have heard the same mantra. This axiom is why industry looks at our profession with skepticism bordering in disdain. I for one say "I don't know", or "tell me more..." if I do not posses the expertise to weigh in.
Would you say you've been honest with your clients? I read your other post and I could feel the passion. But is it not necessary to bs sometimes to maintain the relationship?
I've made made my share of mistakes to be sure. But I take this post to advocate a perpetual mindset, which I cannot subscribe to.
Wells Fargo current CEO's mantra ;) The end line of the story is - Even if you make it, you can't take it.
I pair it with this notion: WHO you know gets you in the room. WHAT you know keeps you there.
It depends....I'm just make sure I'm open to doing what is asked and pretend to be appreciate being voluntold. I think that's the part that makes you successful other than meeting deadlines, that's just implied. ;) #buildingabetterworkingworld
Appreciative*
There's a difference between deep diving to find an answer, saying I'll get back to you and pretending you know the answer. I consider the former to fall under fake it till you make it as well. There's nothing wrong with having a air of confidence about you and never letting them see you sweat. I don't know too many high performers who don't have imposter syndrome. If you don't, you are likely not pushing yourself at all.
wow... this is not what I've experienced. I've usually been praised for saying "I don't know but I'm going to find out"
I don't fake it on details - I'm going to keep faking that I actually am an adult until I make it.
I'm actually three kids dressed up in an oversized suit. The bottom kid uses his phone to Google the answers we need.
There are definitely people that I began with as an associate who were less competent than me but played up their confidence and had an "I totally understand what you're asking me to do" attitude when they really didn't. They would just agree with things until the other person in the conversation unknowingly gave them the "right" answer. Seems like managers and partners didn't notice this though. Just the associates really.