The Impostor Syndrome Files

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about creativity. What’s your definition of creativity? And do you see yourself as creative? I struggled with seeing myself this way for many years because I’m not artistic. Expanding my definition of creativity helped me to see that I’m far more creative than I thought. You probably are too! This week, I’m talking with Dr. Amy Climer, a creativity and innovation consultant, about driving greater creativity and innovation among teams. Here she shares the three key elements needed for teams to be creative together: team purpose, strong team dynamics and a team creative process. We also talk about the ways in which our current structures set us up for failure by emphasizing the idea that there’s one right way to do things and by focusing on short-term, transactional results rather than long-term innovative solutions. And, lastly, we talk about the ways in which impostor syndrome and fear keep us from being creative and how creative teams can support one another.About My GuestDr. Amy Climer is a thought leader in innovation, team development, and experiential learning. She teaches research-based practices, tools, and techniques to forward-thinking organizations such as the Mayo Clinic, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, FOX Sports, and the University of Wisconsin. Amy holds a Ph.D. in Leadership and Change from Antioch University. She is the author of Deliberate Creative Teams: How to Lead for Innovative Results, a book for leaders who want their teams to be more creative, but don’t know where to start. Dr. Amy’s research led to the Deliberate Creative Team Scale, designed to measure the three critical dimensions of team creativity. Her TEDx talk The Power of Deliberate Creative Teams explains her research and philosophies on innovation. Dr. Amy is the host of The Deliberate Creative™ Podcast. She is the designer of Climer Cards, a creativity and teambuilding tool used by thousands to deepen conversations and generate ideas. In 2016 she won the Karl Rhonke Creativity Award from the Association for Experiential Education. Amy lives in Asheville, North Carolina in the U.S. ~Connect with Amy:Websites:   https://www.climerconsulting.com   https://climercards.com/Book: https://deliberatecreativeteams.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyclimer/~Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:https://www.kimmeninger.com/challengeLearn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:https://www.kimmeninger.com/leadinghumansgroupJoin the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6Join the Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumansSchedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challenges: https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-sessionConnect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/Website:https://kimmeninger.com

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about gravitas. Gravitas is one of those words we use but rarely define. We know it when we see it but it’s tough to pin down. This week, I’m talking with Richard Reid, a psychologist and coach, about the connection between gravitas and confidence. We sometimes think of gravitas as an innate trait when, in actuality, you can develop it. Here we talk about what gravitas looks like, why it matters and how to get there.About My GuestRichard has over twenty years of experience as a psychologist and coach. Originally trained as a trauma therapist, he has been involved in several high-profile cases for the City of London Police, London Underground and the Witness Protection Program. Alongside this work, he is an author, media spokesperson, coach and consultant, working with individuals and organisations to help them achieve their full potential.~Connect with Richard:Website: https://www.richard-reid.com~Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:https://www.kimmeninger.com/challengeLearn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:https://www.kimmeninger.com/leadinghumansgroupJoin the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6Join the Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumansSchedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challenges: https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-sessionConnect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/Website:https://kimmeninger.com

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about being BOLD (believe, own, learn and design). Many of us stay trapped in the wrong situation for too long because we’re afraid to take risks or make changes. But living our best lives requires that we choose ourselves and take bold action. This week, I’m talking with Leigh Burgess, founder of Bold Industries Group and author of Be BOLD Today. Here she shares the story of how severe burnout led her to leave a successful career in healthcare and start her own business. Leigh and I talk about her BOLD framework and how to use it to regain control of your own life. She also emphasizes that you can be bold incrementally and at a pace that works best for you.About My GuestLeigh Burgess is an entrepreneur, visionary leader, and the unstoppable force behind Bold Industries Group, Inc. (BIG). As the CEO and Founder, Leigh has transformed a passion for business consulting, coaching, and creating life-changing experiences into a multi-seven-figure enterprise in just four years. Her debut book, Be BOLD Today: Unleash Your Potential, Master Your Mindset, and Achieve Success (Simon & Schuster, 11/ 2024) explores The BOLD Framework that Leigh created and the four actionable and relatable steps to embrace your true self and design a life of purpose and passion. Leigh shares from personal experience how she made her dream a reality through B.O.L.D. (Believe, Own, Learn, Design), and it is the roadmap for living your own #bold life. After more than 20 years leading in the corporate world, Leigh hit a wall. Burnout came knocking, and suddenly, the success she’d been chasing felt empty. She was out of sync—emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually. But instead of sticking it out, Leigh did something most wouldn’t dare to do, she left her job, choosing herself and her well-being. This decision led to Leigh becoming the bootstrapped founder and CEO of BIG in 2020. Leigh wanted to create a space where organizations and individuals can make bold moves, be curious and take life to the next level. She co-founded the company with her daughter, her biggest inspiration and partner-in-business. Leigh’s mission? To make sure no one ever has to go through the burnout she did, that they learn how to break free of self-doubt and to leave a legacy that her daughter can be proud of. ~Connect with Leigh:Website: https://leighburgess.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leighburgess23/~Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:https://www.kimmeninger.com/challengeLearn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:https://www.kimmeninger.com/leadinghumansgroupJoin the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6Join the Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumansSchedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challenges: https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-sessionConnect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/Website:https://kimmeninger.com

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about behavior-based leadership. Do you feel clear about what your boss or company expects of you? Much of our self-doubt comes from worrying about whether we’re doing it right. And the absence of clear leadership and guidance simply perpetuates that anxiety. My guest this week is Dr. Chris Fuzie, a former police officer who started college at the age of 40 studying organizational leadership and now has a Doctor of Education (Ed. D). Chris now owns his own leadership consulting business where he leverages a lot of his experience as a law enforcement officer. Here we talk about the importance of clearly defining the roles of both leader and follower through behaviors that reduce ambiguity and build trust.About My GuestDr. Chris Fuzie is the owner of CMF Leadership Consulting and is currently the Business/HR Manager for a District Attorney’s office in California. Chris is a Leaderologist II and Vice President of the National Leaderology Association (NLA) who holds a Doctor of Education (Ed. D), M.A. and B.A. in Organizational Leadership, and has graduate certificates in Human Resources and Criminal Justice Education. Chris is a developer, trainer, consultant for leadership of public, private, profit, and non-profit organizations since 2010. Chris is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and a former National Instructor for the International Association of Chiefs of Police and California P.O.S.T. Courses. Chris is the author of "Because Why... Understanding Behavior in Exigencies." and of "S.C.O.R.E. Performance Counseling: Save the Relationship, Change the Behavior," and his latest book, “Liminal Space: Reshaping Leadership and Followership.” Chris is honorably retired from the Modesto Police Department after 28 years of public service leading such teams as the Homicide Team, the Hostage Negotiations Team, the Street-Level Drug Team and the School Police Officer Team.~Connect with Chris:Websites:https://www.cmfleadership.com/ https://www.scoreperformancecounseling.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-chris-fuzie-ed-d-m-a-ol-vl2-37587934/ X: https://x.com/CMFLeadership~Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:https://www.kimmeninger.com/challengeLearn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:https://www.kimmeninger.com/leadinghumansgroupJoin the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6Join the Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumansSchedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challenges: https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-sessionConnect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/Website:https://kimmeninger.com

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about unhappy achievers. We talk far more often about impostor syndrome than we do unhappy achievers yet both are rooted in an unhealthy relationship with achievement. This week, I’m talking with Josh Dodes, a psychotherapist who coined the term “unhappy achievers” to describe professionals who feel unsatisfied, or even empty, despite their high levels of success. Here we talk about the similarities and differences between unhappy achievers and those who struggle with impostor syndrome. We also talk about what we can do as parents to minimize the threat of unhealthy attachments to achievement. And we explore how to know when it’s time to seek help.About My GuestJosh Dodes is a psychotherapist in private practice in the Philadelphia area. He studied psychology at Yale, received his master’s degree from NYU, and trained at the Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Study Center in New York. He coined the term "Unhappy Achievers" in 2017 and was asked to write a blog on the topic for Psychology Today-- a blog which has now connected with more than 150,000 readers. Josh is also a former professional musician who toured internationally with his own band (the Josh Dodes Band, which starred on VH1’s Emmy-nominated Bands on the Run) and as a band member for dozens of other artists. This experience before becoming a psychotherapist led him to be particularly familiar with the emotional struggles of high-achieving performers.~Connect with Josh:Website: www.unhappyachievers.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/joshdodesFast Company article: https://www.fastcompany.com/91228056/why-some-of-the-highest-achievers-are-painfully-unhappy-according-to-a-yale-trained-psychotherapistPsychology Today blog: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/unhappy-achievers~Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:https://www.kimmeninger.com/challengeLearn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:https://www.kimmeninger.com/leadinghumansgroupJoin the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6Join the Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumansSchedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challenges: https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-sessionConnect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/Website:https://kimmeninger.com

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about confidently leading change. Are you responsible for leading change? Maybe your role requires a lot of influence without authority. Or you’re a leader who has to drive change with your team. If so, you know how challenging it can be to get people on board. This week, I talk with Sarena Diamond, a transformation executive, about how to manage the human side of change. Here she shares a 3-step process for approaching change in the face of resistance, which is almost always rooted in fear. We also talk about what to do when you’re leading change and you doubt yourself.About My GuestSarena Diamond is a multi-dimensional transformation executive with hands-on expertise in Organizational Change Management, Program & Project Management, Communications, Facilitation, and Training. Throughout her career at Accenture, IBM, Pepsi Cola, Hyperion and Mellon Investor Services, she worked with globally and culturally diverse teams, leaders and stakeholders to deliver transformative outcomes. Her client base spans from Fortune 100 enterprises to PE-backed ventures across a wide array of industries and she has worked with countless leaders struggling to find confidence and comfort in their roles. Sarena is a quick study of people, situations and organizational needs. She faces challenges with curiosity and confidence, brings positivity to seemingly insurmountable problems and is purpose-driven to help teams navigate change effectively. Sarena established Diamond Solutions Group with the goal of partnering with leaders to maximize their investment of time and resources in transformation, while inspiring their teams to achieve great outcomes. Along the way, those same leaders build their own skills, capabilities and confidence such that their inner voice supports achieving greatness and squelches Imposter Syndrome tendencies. ~Connect with Sarena:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarena-diamond/ Website: https://www.diamondsolutionsgroupllc.com/~Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:https://www.kimmeninger.com/challengeLearn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:https://www.kimmeninger.com/leadinghumansgroupJoin the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6Join the Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumansSchedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challenges: https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-sessionConnect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/Website:https://kimmeninger.com

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about raising confident communicators. Are you raising your kids or influencing the younger humans in your lives to be confident communicators? For better or worse, technology has changed the way we communicate. As younger generations continue to enter the workforce, it’s important that they be prepared to confidently and effectively communicate with others. My guest this week is Tim Newman, an educator who has specialized in sport marketing, public relations, leadership, and social media. Here Tim and I talk about common communication challenges in the workplace. We then focus our attention on preparing future generations to communicate by providing them with the appropriate resources and opportunities to build their skills.About My GuestDr. Tim Newman is an accomplished educator and sport professional with nearly three decades of experience in the field of sport management and athletic training. Specializing in the areas of sport marketing, public relations, leadership, and social media, he has taught in the United States and across the globe including Botswana, Malaysia and Thailand. He has always been a forward thinker and problem solver which led to him write Social Media in Sport Marketing, which was published over 10 years ago as one of the first books on the subject. Those qualities were also the impetus for him teaching and developing online courses for over twenty years and laid the foundation for his newest project, the Formula For Public Speaking which is a step-by-step program to help anyone who wants to improve their public speaking skills.~Connect with Tim:Website: https://timnewmanspeaks.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timnewman X: https://x.com/TimNATCFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/TimNewmanSpeakingWithConfidence Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timnewmanspeaks~Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:https://www.kimmeninger.com/challengeLearn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:https://www.kimmeninger.com/leadinghumansgroupJoin the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6Join the Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumansSchedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challenges: https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-sessionConnect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/Website:https://kimmeninger.com

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about becoming the best versions of ourselves. Do you feel like you’re the best version of yourself? This does not mean perfection - we know there’s no such thing! But, in general, do you feel like you’re showing up as the person you want to be in the world? My guest this week is Evan Kuterbach, who left his full-time corporate career to co-found Canyon Pickleball. Here we talk about a wide range of topics, including: how to build connections when you’re in a new place, how to manage self-doubt when you’re navigating change and why it’s so important to be the best version of yourself.About My GuestEvan Kuterbach is an entrepreneur and the co-founder of Canyon Pickleball, a lifestyle brand dedicated to bringing people together through sport, sustainability, and community. After over a decade in client-facing sales roles, Evan left the 9-5 world to build a new life for himself and his family. He first founded a successful copywriting agency, where he realized his knack for creating authentic, compelling messaging. Now, with Canyon Pickleball, he’s merging his love for the outdoors with his drive to make a difference. Evan is all about real talk on entrepreneurship, building community, and following your own path.~Connect with Evan:You can follow Canyon Pickleball's journey at https://canyonpickleball.com/ or on all social media @canyonpickleball. If you enjoy learning more about Evan’s personal journey of leaving the corporate world behind, building a successful copywriting agency, and sharing real talk on business, entrepreneurship, and chasing new passions, follow him on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evankuterbach/.~Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:https://www.kimmeninger.com/challengeLearn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:https://www.kimmeninger.com/leadinghumansgroupJoin the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6Join the Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumansSchedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challenges: https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-sessionConnect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/Website:https://kimmeninger.com

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about the neuroscience of confidence. Have you ever wondered why you make “stupid” mistakes? Or why you can’t form a coherent thought in a stressful meeting? My guest this week is Caroline Brewin, executive and leadership coach and founder of Brain Powered Coaching. Here she shares what happens to our brains under pressure and why we struggle with so much self-doubt. These insights can help us to feel less alone while recognizing that we’re not defective, we’re just stressed. We also talk about the risks to organizations when critical masses of employees experience stress and self-doubt.About My GuestCaroline is the CEO of Brain Powered Coaching, a professional Executive and Confidence coach, as well as having over 18 years of Global Investment Banking experience. Caroline is a published author, trainer, passionate speaker and thought leader on the Neuroscience of Confidence, inspiring audiences worldwide to uncover their strengths and lead authentically.~Connect with Caroline:Website: https://www.brainpoweredcoaching.com  Social Media: @brainpoweredcoachingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-brewin~Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:https://www.kimmeninger.com/challengeLearn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:https://www.kimmeninger.com/leadinghumansgroupJoin the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6Join the Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumansSchedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challenges: https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-sessionConnect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/Website:https://kimmeninger.com

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about feeling like an outsider. Most of us have, at one time or another, experienced the pain of feeling like we don’t belong, though some of us face this more often because of various aspects of our identity. My guest this week is Naeemah Elias, founder of Elias Presence Ventures, about how to navigate experiences when you feel like an outsider. Here Naeemah shares her journey of working her way out of poverty and into a degree from Harvard and the experiences of feeling like an outsider along the way. In particular, we talk about the ways in which she adopted different personas to fit each situation, rather than lean into an authentic self, an approach all too familiar to me because of my own experience, which I share here. We also talk about actions you can take to counteract these negative feelings and thrive as an outsider.About My GuestNaeemah started her career as a professional actress. She worked her way out of poverty south of Chicago and earned a psychology degree from Harvard. After an acting tour as a puppeteer, and few years on Boston stages, she became a mother. She quickly became a Single-Mom with 3 kids under 6, and got serious about cultivating independent free-range children, while building a corporate career! Naeemah created Elias Presence Ventures to transform the universe of talent development and mobility. From Thriving as an Outsider, through public speaking, to management training, she aligns company culture with the leadership of the future so everyone thrives.~Connect with Naeemah:Website: https://www.eliaspresence.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naeemahelias/Consultation: https://calendly.com/naeemah-elias/consultation ~Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:https://www.kimmeninger.com/challengeLearn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:https://www.kimmeninger.com/leadinghumansgroupJoin the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6Join the Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumansSchedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challenges: https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-sessionConnect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/Website:https://kimmeninger.com