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16 Expert Tips To Help Coaches Deal With Imposter Syndrome

Forbes Coaches Council

Imposter syndrome is a common experience among coaching clients, especially those working in demanding or competitive industries. When coaches themselves struggle with feelings of inadequacy and doubt their abilities, it can impact not only their confidence, but also their effectiveness in their work with clients.

For a coach who is experiencing imposter syndrome, it’s important to find the right strategies to help you develop greater confidence in your work and ensure you can help others do the same. Below, 16 Forbes Coaches Council members describe strategies coaches can use to overcome their own imposter syndrome while continuing to help their clients achieve their goals effectively.

1. Understand Your Own Qualities And Talent Combination

Personally, I found CliftonStrengths to be a game-changer in helping me identify when and how I use my talents and what my weaknesses are. This helped me to sharpen my focus on what I do well and how I add value to my clients instead of being stuck on my imperfections. - Adriana Kosovska, Zero To Dream Job

2. Work Through It With Your Own Coach

Imposter syndrome is about feeling inadequate to participate and contribute to a group or organization. Coaches need a coach to help them through imposter syndrome emotions. We are not supermen and superwomen—we need self-care so that we can be effective thought partners with clients. It is okay to be open to receiving support as a coach. - Dave Cornelius, KNOLSHARE

3. Reconsider How You Look At Imposter Syndrome

As coaches, we serve others by coaching from our own experience. I live with imposter syndrome and have learned to celebrate what it means: that I’m choosing to step out of my comfort zone and take small, sustainable steps forward to nest in my growth zone. It’s not just about having more confidence, as I can be a very confident imposter—it’s all about finessing our thoughts and feelings first. - Paul N Larsen, The Find Your VOICE Coaching Institute

4. Use Your Imposter Syndrome Experience To Help Others

I strongly believe that if I didn’t feel imposter syndrome myself, I couldn’t help my executive clients as well as I do. I can model that, even for a very confident person, impostor syndrome can creep up again and again. So in a way, it’s a good thing—or, it at least has a positive side to it. Also, it means that, just like my clients, I’m willing to go way beyond my comfort zone. - Micha Goebig, Go Big Coaching & Communications, LLC


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5. Practice Self-Care And Learn To Redirect Your Focus

Coaches who struggle with imposter syndrome can overcome these feelings by practicing self-awareness, seeking feedback and support, focusing on their successes, continuing to learn and being present for their clients. By remembering whom they have chosen to serve, and why they serve, coaches can continue to show up as confident, empowered professionals who are able to help their clients do the same. - Lara Augusta, Embracing Potentiality

6. Align What You Do With Who You Are

Imposter syndrome in coaches is a direct result of misalignment in your business. When you identify your unique coaching “zone of genius,” results flow naturally without friction. This is a critical step that clears roadblocks and gets you unstuck in your coaching business while boosting confidence. - Erin Urban, UPPSolutions, LLC

7. Get Support By Joining A Coaching Community

Moving out of one’s comfort zone can give rise to imposter syndrome, even for people who generally have high self-belief and confidence. As a coach, you can overcome imposter syndrome by becoming involved in a coaching community and getting support from other coaches who are courageously utilizing their craft. Also, understand that learning is continuous; embrace where you are, but keep learning. - Adaora Ayoade, EZ37 Solutions

8. Acknowledge That The Feeling Is Temporary

Reframe the paradigm of imposter syndrome as a temporary state where self-belief levels have dipped because of external factors. Feedback and feedforward are the most important tools for a coach to overcome this syndrome. This could come from clients, peers, the team or your own coach. - Gitanjali Saksena, LagomWorks

9. Recognize That Your Feelings Are Valid

It is important for coaches to recognize that their feelings are valid and that they can still be successful in their work. Leaning into accountability partners and seeking out support when needed can help to build confidence. Allowing yourself the time and space to practice self-compassion, recognizing your strengths and successes and celebrating your victories are also important. - Anna Tan, Coaching Go Where

10. Consider Yourself To Be ‘Still Learning’

Welcome to humanity! If I had a magic wand, I would erase the words “imposter syndrome” with two simpler words: “still learning!” We are all learners. I learn as much from my clients as they learn from me. Be of service and bring everything you’ve got to be in service of others achieving their greatest potential. Doubt is human—it makes you reflect. If you can’t embrace it, do your personal work. - Jodie Charlop, Exceleration Partners

11. Reframe Negative Self-Talk

Try reframing negative self-talk by acknowledging your achievements, strengths and positive feedback from clients. Seeking feedback from peers, mentors or supervisors can provide valuable perspective and support. Practicing self-care and continuing professional development can also boost confidence and skills, making coaches more effective in helping their clients. - Willena Long, Career Boss Academy

12. Use Coaching Resources To Help Yourself

The benefit of coaching others with imposter syndrome is that you will have many ideas and resources to draw from. Taking note of how you have helped your clients with imposter syndrome means you can apply the same help to yourself. This is one of the many wonderful aspects of coaching; we get to grow and learn alongside our clients. - Ana Reed, Newmanity

13. Engage In Coaching Supervision

Coaching supervision is a beautiful, safe, peer-based coaching environment where coaches can share their vulnerabilities experienced in sessions with clients while also being coached on it. It is a great way to continue to boost confidence while working on oneself as a coach. Having a personal coach and mentor will be invaluable to unlocking the root of the struggle and progressing effectively. - Arthi Rabikrisson, Prerna Advisory

14. Remember, Nothing Has Gone Wrong

No wonder there is an epidemic of imposter syndrome—we compare our own “rough draft” to another’s glossy book cover. We need to recognize imposter syndrome as an “imposter experience” and develop a practice of noticing it and getting curious about the trigger and folly behind it. Remember, nothing has gone wrong; you are simply living a human experience, which makes you a more relatable coach. - Asia Bribiesca-Hedin, Bridgewell LLC Professional Services

15. Integrate Various Aspects Of The Self Inside You

Imposter syndrome is a powerful sign of inner growth. As a person, you are wearing multiple hats: You're a professional coach at work and a human being outside of work, struggling through life's moments just like everyone else. Acknowledge both aspects of the self and let them integrate inside you, knowing that no matter what is happening in your personal life, you are successfully helping others to evolve. - Daphne Michaels, Daphne Micheals International

16. Avoid Or Attack Triggering Circumstances

Imposter syndrome is triggered by various circumstances or people, rather than being a constant condition. There are two main ways to overcome it. Either avoid the people and the situations that make you feel inferior, or expose yourself until you become desensitized. Through exposure, new neural pathways will be formed, and you will become more competent. - Karina Ochis, Prof. Dr. Karina Ochis

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