Let’s make it so people don’t need to fake it
(Photo by James Lee on Unsplash)
I think we need to stop telling people to 'fake it 'til they make it', while also talking about the importance of authenticity and 'bringing your whole self to work'. Those things don't compute.
What about we focus on 'making it so people don't have to fake it'? Which involves a couple of threads.
First - creating psychologically safe spaces at work, where people can be real about how they’re going, and where they need help.
These spaces don’t always pop up organically. You need a relatively small group, you need someone to take the lead in ‘showing up’ in an open and honest way, and you need to ask real questions about how people are going. And then, listen to them. Not jump to fixing and solutions, but just listen, as the first step. Most of the time, it’s really empowering just to know that you’re not the only one that’s feeling a certain way (stressed, inadequate, in the deep end etc), and you’re not deficient.
Second – if people feel like they are ‘faking it’ in a particular area, that’s a signal, and an opportunity to address the root cause. Ideally using a strengths-based approach.
I remember once in a workshop on women in leadership, we were asked to get to know the person next to us. My buddy was stuck at work, trying to get leadership buy-in for programme of change. She felt like an imposter because she’s not a strategist or a change manager, she’s an architect. So I said, ‘how would you solve this, as an architect? Which of your skills can you bring to bear, on this issue?’. It seemed to help her get unstuck, because was extending her existing skillset, rather than operating from a place of deficiency and discomfort. Then of course, you can help upskill people in areas they want to grow, through formal training or on-the-job learning.
Power poses and pep talks are fine, but wouldn’t it be great if we didn’t have to ‘fake it’ so often? If we could be honest about who we are and how we’re doing, and if we could be supported to grow in ways that matter to us? The best employers already know this. If you’ve got a job in a place like that, nice work. You don’t need to fake it, because you’ve already made it to a great destination 😊
x Renee from Thrive Lab