Do you ever feel you know a lot less than you ‘think’ you do?!

[ThePinkGuitar]

I’ve got a degree and ma in an area that is quite niche but is becoming more prominent due to the pandemic.
I feel like when I got to meetings I’ve got nothing new to add to the discussion and other people seem quite insightful.
I’m quite new to my role - started in April so not sure if it’s a lack of self confidence or I’ve forgotten everything I’ve learnt already?!

Does anyone else feel like this at their work?

All the time. Look up “imposter syndrome” But the thing to remember is that when you are an expert at something (which you are), you’ve forgotten that all the stuff you know that seems really basic to you is brand new to someone else.

Also top tip: if you want to seem insightful, don’t provide answers but ask pertinent questions: e.g. What would happen if... or is there a way we could get x outcome, with only y resources... or have we thought about the implications of doing Z (or not doing Z)?
You’ll give off an air of intelligence in that you are asking the difficult questions, but get everyone else to provide answers! (And also it gets you thinking and you may surprise yourself with your insights).

I'm exactly the same. I work in a very niche area and need a lot of specialist knowledge. I'm good at blagging it (but the blagging is clearly based on something in my brain somewhere) when I'm out in the field, but as soon as I'm in a meeting with anyone who's been in the job longer than me I suddenly clam up and can remember nothing! I did when I was a teacher too. Could teach and plan lessons till the cows came home but put me in a meeting to discuss it and everything fell out my brain. For me it's definitely down to confidence and very low self esteem, I'll always assume people know more than me.

I feel like this all the time in my profession. I think Mycat has hit the nail on the head though about things that seem basic to you are actual new and not known to others. Sometimes I hear myself giving advice thinking “this is really obvious how are you paying me to tell you this!”

I feel like this too OP.
Feel like I don’t fit in - as though everyone else of sharper than I am. I think it’s definitely low self esteem though - partly because I left school after GCSEs which makes me feel self conscious.
Thing is, I know I’m not stupid. Have done an official supervised IQ test and scored quite well.

Absolutely. Also I feel the more you learn the more you realise you don’t know very much at all! I’m now in the final stages of my PhD and definitely way less self assured in what I ‘know’ now. I think the best way to remain insightful and current is to consistently read, not just industry-specific books but general interest, politics, science, cultural etc. I think the smartest and most interesting people take inspiration from beyond their small field of expertise.

@Mycatismadeofstringcheese Wow, I'm going to use these!