How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome as a New Online Coach

Experts say that up to 82% of us experience Imposter Syndrome. So, chances are, almost ALL of your competitors have stood in your shoes.

Overcoming imposter syndrome coaching other people is something most coaches have to do at some point. I’ve b

This article explores imposter syndrome, its effects on coaches, and, most importantly, practical coaching strategies for conquering it.

Understanding Imposter Syndrome in Coaching

Ironically, imposter syndrome is particularly prevalent among coaches.

For us, imposter syndrome can be a significant barrier to success. It affects your ability to establish trust and open communication with clients, diminishes your confidence, and may even lead you to avoid taking on new challenges.

So, understanding this syndrome is the first step towards overcoming it and thriving in your coaching career.

What is Imposter Syndrome?

Imposter syndrome, or imposter phenomenon, is a psychological pattern where individuals doubt their accomplishments and fear being exposed as frauds. They don’t believe they have the credentials to coach because they don’t know any more than their clients.

Many coaches struggle with this lack of confidence, questioning their qualifications and fearing they may not be competent despite their proven knowledge or training.

The Impact on Coaches

For coaches, experiencing impostor syndrome can significantly impact their professional lives. Self-doubt can be crippling, leading to a constant fear of failure and a belief that any success is due to luck or external factors rather than their own abilities.

It can erode confidence, making it challenging to establish trust and open communication with clients. Coaches may also shy away from challenges, which limits their professional growth and development.

Even a really highly qualified coach, such as an ICF Master Certified Coach or an executive coach, is not immune to this feeling – either starting out or later in their career.

Recognizing Signs of Imposter Syndrome

Recognizing the signs is a crucial first step towards overcoming them. See if these ring any bells:

• Persistent self-doubt
• Inability to accept success or accomplishments
• Chronic dissatisfaction and anxiety or even depression
• Low self-confidence
• Setting unrealistic expectations
• Self-sabotaging before accepting new opportunities
• Fear of being exposed
• Dismissing or denying praise
• Perfectionism

Awareness is the first step towards self-acceptance and overcoming imposter syndrome.

Try acknowledging self-doubt without judgment. It will allow you to confront feelings of inadequacy more effectively.

Personal Reflection

Personal reflection sounds a bit woo-woo, but it can be a powerful tool for understanding and overcoming imposter syndrome.

Engaging in self-reflection and mindfulness can help reduce the impact of negative thoughts. Try it every morning for 10 minutes and see if you notice a difference after a week.

(I find that it makes me feel calmer, kinder and less anxious when things go wrong.)

If you can be objective and try to trace these feelings back to childhood, you might find the root cause of your imposter syndrome. For instance, were you never good enough in the eyes of one of your parents?

Once you find the cause, you’ll realize that it’s not you – imposter syndrome is just a product of childhood or an event in your life.

Effective Coaching Strategies to Overcome Imposter Syndrome

Coaches need to adopt strategies that focus on validating good feelings, challenging negative beliefs, and building ‘authentic competence’ – YOU did all this good stuff.

Being surrounded by supportive colleagues, mentors, and friends helps create a nurturing environment that fights feelings of inadequacy.

Embracing a growth mindset allows people to view challenges as opportunities for growth rather than threats. Visualization techniques can also boost confidence by getting coaches to mentally rehearse successful coaching interactions.

Validating Feelings

Validating feelings is crucial in the coaching process as it allows people to feel heard and understood. When coaches validate clients’ emotions, it fosters trust and openness in the coaching relationship.

Acknowledging and validating inadequate feelings without judgment is also the first step to addressing imposter syndrome.

Then, it’s important to methodically challenge any distorted beliefs that contribute to feelings of inadequacy.

Challenging Negative Beliefs

Challenging negative beliefs involves engaging in a conversation with your internal dialogue to manage those thoughts. Coaches can challenge irrational beliefs by encouraging themselves to evaluate their own accomplishments and then avoid setting unrealistic standards.

Finding the right mix of support and constructive criticism is important.

Building Authentic Competence

This involves engaging in continuous learning and seeking constructive feedback to develop genuine confidence. Visualizing success and tracking progress helps people acknowledge their growth and counteract negative self-perceptions.

Marking small milestones creates a visual representation of growth on the journey. It makes accomplishments feel more tangible.

Leveraging Mentorship for Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Mentorship can play a role in overcoming imposter syndrome by providing support and reassurance to people experiencing self-doubt.

Mentors were you 5, 10, 15, 20 or more years ago. They’ve stood in your shoes. Heck, they’ve probably dealt with serious imposter syndrome of their own.

Finding the Right Mentor

Ideally, you want someone with experience in your field who can offer useful insights and support when challenges arise. A mentor who understands your field can offer tailored help and advice, perhaps offering up some of their contacts for even more targeted assistance.

Benefits of Mentorship

Having a mentor offers numerous advantages, including gaining fresh perspectives, receiving constructive feedback to help your development, and nurturing a resilient mindset against self-doubt. 

Regular interactions with a mentor can significantly improve self-awareness, boost self-esteem, and reduce feelings of isolation.

Developing a Support Network

You’ll be surprised how many other people in your line of work have suffered from imposter syndrome or are perhaps even feeling it right now.

Building a support network can be really helpful. I hate networking, but whenever I do it, 9 times out of 10 it’s really useful. Networking events can help you form meaningful relationships with like-minded professionals who provide valuable support later.

Creating Connections

How many times have you said in life, “This is a bit embarrassing, but I’m feeling…”? And then everyone collectively leaps up and says, “That’s exactly how I’m feeling”. Sharing experiences and challenges with your peers can provide helpful encouragement and, often, guidance during tough times.

Sharing Experiences

Sharing personal accounts related to imposter syndrome normalizes the experience, provides support, and acts as a reality check.

Choosing a mentor who has personal experience with imposter syndrome has obvious benefits.

Journaling has really helped me in recent years – something I previously considered to be mumbo-jumbo. However, what seems like random scribblings on whatever’s bothering you can reveal surprising insights. It also helps to spot patterns in your self-doubt and imposter feelings, which can also spark solutions.

Celebrating Achievements

Celebrating personal and professional achievements is hugely helpful for building confidence and combating feelings of being an imposter. Recognizing accomplishments builds self-confidence, especially for those struggling with imposter syndrome.

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Try creating a folder on your desktop for all your accomplishments.

Make a list of all your successes and pop it in the folder. Add visual examples (newspaper clippings, photos, etc.) and keep adding every time you achieve something, no matter how small.

Tracking Progress

Keeping a record of accomplishments helps people visualize their growth and reinforces a sense of… well, competence. Breaking down larger goals into smaller, achievable tasks means you can monitor their progress and feel a sense of accomplishment when you hit each milestone.

Rewarding Yourself

Acknowledging and rewarding even small victories helps create a positive self-image and also counteracts negative self-perceptions. And here’s where I recommend… treats!

Treating yourself can reinforce positive feelings about your capabilities because it’s something you remember. This can lead to a healthier self-image.

Implementing Changes in Your Coaching Style

Integrating some new strategies can help coaches manage those feelings of inadequacy. Things like embracing uncertainty and keeping a success inventory.

These can help transform imposter thoughts into opportunities. I know, easy to say! But I will always remember reading somewhere that personal growth starts at the edge of discomfort. 

Acknowledging Triggers

Triggers for imposter syndrome can present in various forms, often as internal dialogue or specific situations. Identifying your specific internal triggers will help you manage imposter syndrome.

When that feeling arrives, write down the trigger. Why are you getting it? Now you can either find ways to make that situation easier in future, avoid it, or analyze it.

Ask yourself this: “What’s the worst that could happen?”

Then, write a list of disaster scenarios. I constantly do this, and 99% of the time, I realize that it’s really not as bad as I thought. In fact, I can usually get around the issues really easily.

Even better, write a list of the upsides of getting through it. Then, get excited about the positives and how you’ll feel when you pull it off.

Setting Realistic Standards

Setting achievable goals can prevent burnout and sustain motivation in coaching. Actively challenge and reframe negative thoughts to help mitigate feelings of imposter syndrome. It’s a habit. Start it today.

I found that viewing failure as a learning opportunity was a key mindset shift. Failure is where the biggest learnings wait. It’s very hard, but once you embrace that, you’re more likely to say, “screw it, let’s just do it”.

Visualizing Success

Visualization techniques can be useful, where you mentally rehearse successful coaching sessions. I do this with difficult conversations as well. It can be a real confidence booster to know what you’ll say and when.

Empowering Clients to Overcome Imposter Syndrome

What about if your clients have imposter syndrome? Helping them can help you get past your own inadequate feelings.

Helping clients requires a delicate balance of empathy and challenge. As a coach, it’s essential to validate your clients’ feelings and experiences while also encouraging them to step out of their comfort zones.

This balance leads to personal and professional growth, enabling clients to tackle their self-doubt head-on.

Balancing Empathy and Challenge

Empathy plays an important role in building a trusting relationship between the coach and the client. Validating emotions without judgment helps clients feel understood and supported. However, it’s equally important to challenge clients to push beyond their perceived limitations.

Encouraging Self-Reflection

Self-reflection through methods like journaling, meditation, and mindfulness helps clients explore their thoughts and emotions. Tools like the Wheel of Life (above) can help clients visualize satisfaction across different areas of their lives, providing insights into their priorities and core values.

These practices help align actions with what truly matters, developing a healthier mindset.

Summary

Overcoming imposter syndrome as a new online coach involves understanding it, recognizing its signs, and then implementing strategies to combat it. By validating your feelings, challenging negative beliefs, building authentic competence, leveraging mentorship, and developing a support network, you can transform self-doubt into confidence and authenticity.

Celebrating achievements and making intentional changes in your coaching style further reinforce your growth and resilience.

Remember, you’re not alone in this journey. Many successful coaches have faced and overcome imposter syndrome. By empowering yourself and your clients through empathy, challenge, and self-reflection, you can create a positive impact in your coaching practice. Embrace your unique journey, celebrate your progress, and continue to grow with confidence.