I don't know whether I am an imposter or a successful professional. But I keep considering myself subpar to my peers, even when I keep progressing in my 25-year career, taking broader responsibilities and harvesting on my reputation. I consider myself very smart, but when I compare myself with colleagues, I see in them stronger business, leadership and communication skills. I have the impression that people criticizes me when I am not present, highlighting my limitations. Truth is that people often praises my previous positions successes. But honestly, I don't see any merit on them. I just got selected among 6 candidates to take a new leadership position, which I find very challenging, everybody congratulated me saying I was the natural option for the position. I think two of the candidates were better qualified. I feel very challenged by my new role, I am stuck, procrastinating and not knowing where to start. I have a big organization depending on my leadership and a group of great leaders reporting to me, at least two of them have better abilities than me to do my job. Finally, my manager is new to Cisco and little excutives know me, so I don't think I have a sponsorship network to take care of me when LR comes. Do I need professional mental health help? Is this normal? What do I do to get rid of this feelings and keep doing a great job? I am afraid I won't find a decent job if I needed to start looking for a new one.
Ask your manager for an executive coach
What's your current role?
Everyone flies by the seat of their pants. No one ever knows what they're doing until results show otherwise. (Which can seem like dumb luck). So take whatever you have as just another problem to solve, not what people expect or think. Either that or it is a troll humble brag.
Think of this: a vast majority of golfers are subpar. Don’t believe me? Checkout what par means. I don’t know a golf course where I’d make it pat
Success is often from combo of talent and luck, just consider yourself lucky. And maybe you did just hit your ceiling in the new role, no shame in that
I can totally relate, very similar story! Been thinking lately that it might actually be some kind of a mental issue as well.
I’ve dealt with that too, for me it was about accepting that everyone has strength / weakness and I have something unique to offer
Go for therapy or leadership coaching! You will be fine. By any chance you Indian?
No, I am not, why? Is it often seen in Indians?