Personal Battles with Professional Results

 A Blog about Imposter Syndrome in Female Leaders 

 When I was asked to write a blog post about imposter syndrome in female leaders my first thought was what do I even know about this subject and how do I go about writing on such a topic? I was already reading a book on couples’ relationships and how to make your relationship stronger, but that was personal. I needed a business aspect since this was about my leadership position. Well, the imposter syndrome had already sat in. I was researching other blogs, and websites, and how to make sure I had “just the right” information to share and do my best.  

In my research, I found that a majority of articles and blogs written were from females. Interesting in my eyes but then I started to think about how much pressure we put on ourselves. We are moms who everyone depends on. We have to fall into a societal norm even though we are breaking barriers in those norms daily. We want to do the best we can because if we fail, we are not just failing ourselves it is everyone around us, and our minds are wired differently. I always think back to when I was going through marriage counseling before getting married. Our pastor had told my husband and myself that women have pink hoses and men have blue hoses. You may say the same thing because it's coming from the hose, but it can mean different things because you are pink, and he is blue. I always try to incorporate this in conversation and understanding communication. 

I had just finished reading “Sex Talks, The Five Conversations That Will Transform Your Love Life.”, and it made me become more confident in opening up when I needed to so I could be confident in myself. It wasn’t hard, but it explained more scientifically how the mind works and little pieces of advice to help when in an uncomfortable situation.  Cool personal life was taken care of.  Now how do I get to incorporate business into it? My career consisted of Public Safety. I had gone to school for Law Enforcement originally and then had children. 

After having children, I went through my EMT Course and became an EMT Basic. I really didn’t do much with it until I started working at the hospital. This is probably where my first real experience with imposter syndrome started. I was a unit secretary but possessed the skills to be a tech, so I worked my way into this position. After working as a tech/unit secretary, I knew I could do more, be more and wanted to help more. So, I went to nursing school. I became a nurse and was going to go start at the same ER I had been in for 4 years already. When I was told, I would have to do more to be a part of the unit I was crushed. I had already been there for 4 years and knew the unit. I thought I was a valuable asset to the team. I left and transitioned through jobs until I came back to Phoenix.  

I had been with Phoenix part-time, then full-time through my last year of nursing school. Once I had completed my exam, I went back down to PRN and went to work in another ER. I was not happy. I was limited in my care taking of patients where I had freedom of patient care, and I loved my patients. I did not want to be told how I could and could not treat them by certain standards. I had my own standards I wanted to follow, and the time constraints I had to follow did not allow for that. I left the hospital. I went back to Phoenix full-time, after being asked by the president to return, because he had some projects he wanted to work on and thought of me first as a good candidate. Second interaction with imposter syndrome. I came back and have worked my way up into a leadership position with Phoenix. This leads to my wanting to better myself in a professional aspect.  

I first saw “Where You Are is Not Who You Are” on a bookshelf about 6 months ago and thought it would be an interesting read. Then as I was asked to write about female leaders and the imposter syndrome the first thing, I thought of was this book. Now I was on a mission to complete it in time to write. I tried audiobooks but was too busy trying to be my best self, that I could not focus and had to get a physical book.  I did and have been reading it. I have not completed it yet, but I am making it through as best I can while balancing work-home life and using some self-care time to read.  

Here are some things I have learned and wanted to share about imposter syndrome in female leadership specifically.  

Imposter syndrome, a pervasive feeling of inadequacy despite evident success, affects numerous individuals, particularly female leaders navigating professional environments. In "Where You Are is Not Who You Are" and "Sex Talks," insightful quotes shed light on this phenomenon and offer guidance on how to combat it. 

Acknowledging the Struggle: 

• "Imposter syndrome doesn't discriminate based on your title or position. It affects people at all levels of success." (Where You Are is Not Who You Are) 
• Many female leaders find themselves grappling with feelings of inadequacy, despite their accomplishments and qualifications. 
• Societal Pressures and Expectations: 
• "Women often feel the pressure to prove themselves more than men in professional settings, leading to heightened imposter syndrome." (Sex Talks) 
• Societal norms and gender biases contribute to the heightened sense of self-doubt experienced by female leaders.

Embracing Authenticity: 

• "Authenticity is key to combating imposter syndrome. Embrace your unique qualities and experiences." (Where You Are is Not Who You Are) 
• Female leaders can overcome imposter syndrome by acknowledging their worth and celebrating their individuality. 
  
  
  
  

• "Surround yourself with mentors and peers who uplift and support you. You're not alone in your struggles." (Sex Talks) 
• Building a supportive network can provide encouragement and validation, helping female leaders navigate imposter syndrome.

• "Challenge negative self-talk and replace it with affirmations of your capabilities and achievements." (Where You Are is Not Who You Are) 
• Changing one's mindset from self-doubt to self-assurance is crucial in combating imposter syndrome. 

 Imposter syndrome poses a significant challenge for female leaders in professional settings, but by embracing authenticity, cultivating supportive networks, and shifting mindsets, it's possible to overcome these feelings of inadequacy. As highlighted in "Where You Are is Not Who You Are" and "Sex Talks," acknowledging the struggle and finding empowerment through shared experiences are essential steps towards conquering imposter syndrome and thriving as female leaders. 

Leighanne Ellis, EMT-B, PI, RN

Phoenix Paramedic Solutions

References: 

Burns, U.M. (2021) Where You Are is Not Who You Are. New York, NY: Amistad 35 an Imprint of Harper Collins Publishers. 

Marin, V. and Marin, X. (2023a) Sex Talks The Five Conversations That Will Transform Your Love Life. New York, NY: Simon Element.