Nonprofits Are Messy: Lessons in Leadership | Fundraising | Board Development | Communications Ep 229: Imposter Syndrome Is Real—6 Ways To Overcome It
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May 24, 2025 A candid look at why nonprofit leaders feel like frauds and how common that self-doubt is. Practical tools are introduced, including a scorecard and six concrete remedies to regain confidence. Simple habits like daily affirmations, team celebrations, revisiting your application, seeking outside perspective, joining peers, and mentoring others are highlighted.
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Perception Gap Drives Imposter Feelings
- Imposter syndrome makes your perception of others' knowledge vastly larger than your own actual knowledge.
- Joan notes leaders often think they were hired by mistake and wait for the "real" person to arrive.
Kodak Theater Moment
- Joan Garry felt like an imposter when inspecting the Kodak Theater for the GLAAD Media Awards despite proven success.
- She describes the moment she thought someone else should be running the event and froze like a nine-year-old.
Use A Mirror And Affirmations
- Stand in front of a mirror and say: "I am a leader" and that you were hired because people believed in you.
- Use visible reminders of belief, like Ted Lasso's office sign, to reinforce confidence.