In-House Counsel

Treating Impostor Syndrome

It is not a mental disorder, but simply a limiting mindset that affects a lot of people.

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“I am not good enough.”

“I don’t deserve to be here.”

“I can’t do that.”

We have all experienced feelings of inadequacy at some points in our lives — moments where you question why you are where you are, convinced that you don’t belong in such a space. It is that sinking feeling that you don’t have it within yourself to do whatever is required of you. Or maybe you have already made it but are questioning how you got there. Perhaps you don’t feel like you deserve to have achieved what you have. This common affliction is known as impostor syndrome.

Impostor syndrome can be roughly defined as feeling fraudulent despite one’s accolades or doubtful about one’s abilities. There may be a general tendency toward low self-esteem in those afflicted with the syndrome; it may also just be a specific area where you lack confidence in your competence. Regardless, it is not a mental disorder, but simply a limiting mindset that affects a lot of people. The real issue is dealing with and overcoming it.

With my law degree and legal background, my approach to impostor syndrome is to lawyer my way out of it. How? I acknowledge that there is a voice in my head trying to label me an impostor — a voice I must depose.

To do just that, I ask it to tell me more, to give me context and reasoning. Then I critically analyze its argument and probe the murky areas. By the end of this process, I have vigorously questioned it, highlighting all the flaws in its argument. In the case of Olga v. The State of Insecurity, Olga comes out on top.

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Lawyering is a great way to deal with impostor syndrome, although it is not the only way. If you start to feel symptoms, then you should realize that you’re onto something — you are doing something meaningful or important.

So, don’t hold back! Ask questions that start conversations, then engage in those conversations from the position of someone who is interested in learning. Doing so will build community with other people in similar spaces and may even gain you some followers who are following similar paths just a few steps behind you.

Community is something that makes us feel like we belong, so, by nurturing friendships, you’ll realize this is the place you are meant to be. It also helps to keep you accountable, especially if there are people who are fans of what you’re doing or saying.

Let’s say you’ve been elected to a position but are doubting your ability in this role. If that’s the case, then you should trust the judgment of those who elected you and remind yourself that, while the hero does not always seem like the perfect fit, they were chosen for a reason. Other people believing in you can empower you to continue.

Make sure you don’t give in to impostor syndrome. It can feel like a heavy weight to bear, but the facts of the matter undoubtedly point toward your aptitude. Don’t forget that you deserve the world-class representation that you give your clients.

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Lawyer yourself.

P.S. Keep in mind that moments of doubts and working through them are normal. If these moments become prolonged or become paralyzing, lawyering yourself (or other approaches) may not work. Good news — help is always available. Please seek it.

Olga V. Mack is the CEO of Parley Pro, a next-generation contract management company that has pioneered online negotiation technology. Olga embraces legal innovation and had dedicated her career to improving and shaping the future of law. She is convinced that the legal profession will emerge even stronger, more resilient, and more inclusive than before by embracing technology. Olga is also an award-winning general counsel, operations professional, startup advisor, public speaker, adjunct professor, and entrepreneur. She founded the Women Serve on Boards movement that advocates for women to participate on corporate boards of Fortune 500 companies. She authored Get on Board: Earning Your Ticket to a Corporate Board Seat and Fundamentals of Smart Contract Security. You can follow Olga on Twitter @olgavmack.

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