In this episode of The Knowing Self Knowing Others Podcast, I was delighted to speak with Melanie Wilkey. Melanie shares insights into the impact of self-awareness, perception and empathy on effective leadership in a demanding and ever-evolving healthcare sector. Join us to explore how understanding imposter phenomenon can shape recruitment, organisational culture and leadership dynamics.
Listen here or watch the video above!
Looking forward to joining you on your learning journey!
Here are 5 top takeaways from the episode and 5 actions you can take to grow your self-aware leadership skills….
What's the Real Deal with Imposter Phenomenon?
In this episode, we break down imposter phenomenon. Around 70% of people experience this sense of imposter phenomenon, or more commonly called imposter syndrome, at some point in their lives. The originally exploration into imposter phenomenon focused on women, but men feel it too. Those jitters often hit during big changes like new jobs or when life is throwing you curveballs. Getting a handle on where these feelings come from helps in finding ways to overcome them.Imposter Phenomenon and Leadership
Melanie talks about how imposter syndrome impacts leaders. She points out that self-awareness is the secret sauce for managing those unsettling and destablising feelings, while staying credible. Admitting you don’t have all the answers can show real confidence. Today’s leaders need to be open and communicative, and self-awareness helps with that shift. When leaders tap into both confidence and authenticity, alongside humility, organisational culture is more inclusive, creating greater psychological safety within the organisation.Rethinking How We Hire
We explore the idea of shaking up recruitment and traditional hiring methods. Melanie shares some thoughts on the problems we create when we hire people just like us; it prevents the diversity we need to generate fresh ideas. She suggests things like early reference checks and on the job recruitment assessment to see how candidates really work and behave. It might take a little longer, but it’s worth considering a method that’s less performative than an interviewBeating Feelings of Isolation and Failure
Feeling isolated or like you’re failing only adds to the imposter syndrome struggle. Melanie stresses having good mentoring and peer support to tackle the feeling of loneliness often experienced by leaders. Seeing failures as lessons instead of defeats is key. Talking openly with someone you trust helps ease imposter feelings, pushing both you and your organisation forward.Real-World Tips for Organisations
Melanie shares some hands-on tips for handling imposter syndrome at work. Think about mentoring programmes and buddy systems to build up support networks. Melanie talked bout better hiring practices too, all about creating spaces where feeling like an imposter doesn’t mean you’re not good at your job. Leaders need to check in and offer resources, nurturing workplaces where everyone, especially self-aware leaders, can really shine.
Here are the top five actions you can take away from this episode to develop your self-aware leadership skills:
Embrace Imposter Phenomenon as a Growth Opportunity: Recognise that feelings of imposter syndrome are common and can be used as a motivator for personal development rather than a barrier. Understand that experiencing these feelings is part of your journey towards greater self-awareness.
Foster a Culture of Support and Mentorship: Encourage the development and participation in mentorship and buddy systems in your organisation. Establish strong peer support networks that provide a safe space for sharing experiences and challenges, facilitating both personal and collective growth. What about action learning sets?
Prioritise Self-Reflection and Authenticity: Engage in regular self-reflection to understand your own leadership style and areas for improvement. Strive to bring your authentic self into your leadership role. Steer clear of imitating others in favour of a style that aligns with your personal values and strengths.
Encourage Diverse Perspectives and Cognitive Diversity: Actively seek out and value diverse perspectives within your team, to foster innovation. Avoid echo chambers by challenging recruitment and leadership practices that limit diversity, and support a more inclusive and dynamic work environment.
Adopt Flexible and Adaptive Leadership Approaches: Adapt to changing environments by embracing flexible leadership styles that accommodate modern organisational demands. Encourage your team members to take on leadership roles based on expertise and to learn from failures, seeing them as opportunities for growth and development.
In embracing these insights, you’re not only equipping yourself with tools for self-aware leadership but also paving the way for a workplace that values empathy, authenticity, and continuous growth - pillars of a thriving, resilient organisation.
Today’s show was sponsored by Sarah Bryer. Unlock your potential with expert career coaching! Sarah Bryer, seasoned recruiter and career coach, is here to guide you every step of the way. From crafting a CV that grabs attention, to personalised interview prep, she'll make sure you stand out from the crowd. Start today, and let Sarah illuminate your career journey! www.sarahbryer.co.uk
If you want to learn more about imposter phenomenon check out these episodes….
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Nia is an expert leader who talks the talk and walks the walk. She is an academically awarded thought leader in self-aware leadership and practices self-aware leadership every single day in her role as a Director in a Children’s Charity.
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