Aliens and Imposters

Almost every leader I work with sometimes feels inadequate for their role.

Whether we call it Imposter Syndrome, insecurity, or Leader’s Kryptonite (which is my preferred framing), it seems to be a nearly universal human experience.

So, while I use Superman in the tool I designed to address these challenges, I was delighted to come across this anecdote from author Neil Gaiman of another space traveller that so beautifully describes the reality:

Some years ago, I was lucky enough invited to a gathering of great and good people: artists and scientists, writers and discoverers of things. And I felt that at any moment they would realise that I didn’t qualify to be there, among these people who had really done things.

On my second or third night there, I was standing at the back of the hall, while a musical entertainment happened, and I started talking to a very nice, polite, elderly gentleman about several things, including our shared first name*. And then he pointed to the hall of people, and said words to the effect of, “I just look at all these people, and I think, what the heck am I doing here? They’ve made amazing things. I just went where I was sent.”

And I said, “Yes. But you were the first man on the moon. I think that counts for something.”

The complex and urgent demands we face make many of us feel we need to be some kind of superhuman to succeed. (And indeed, many of us grew up with models of both superheroes and leadership that taught us they were always certain, confident, and correct). But more and more, thankfully, we are embracing humanity as not only the reality of leadership but even as a strength.

If you or your team are struggling with imposter syndrome I can probably help, but please understand I have no experience in working with perfect heroes from other planets. Humans are my thing.