To think I’m not up to the job?

[Swimminginthebigsea]

I’m three weeks into a new job, it’s at a very senior level and is effectively the top of my career which I’ve worked very hard for. The company I’m in is so far is great. The people are really nice and the work is very interesting.

BUT I feel that I am not cut out to do it. Quite simply I don’t feel like I am good enoguh to deal with all the things that are flying my way. This has been a big promotion and I actually went for a different job in the company and got this one and I don’t think they’ve really understood my abilities and experience to do the job.

I think I just need to give it time, and it will take at least 6 months to feel settled, but I’m not sure what to do. Has anyone been in a senior role and been recognised as not being a bad performer but just falling short of what they needed to be at probation?

Pay for an experienced coach who is used to helping senior leaders.

The grand majority of blokes are woefully incompetent at their high paid jobs, as most of us can tell by trying to work with them and take orders from them, but I bet you anything they don't worry about it. It only seems to be women who worry about whether they are good enough for their senior jobs.

Men expect the job to mould to them. Only women want to mould themselves to the job. And the blokes don't get sacked for it either.

Relax. Give it time. Have the confidence of a man. Are you shit? Maybe. I don't know. But so are many others in senior roles. You're no different to anyone else.

This 👆

Or find yourself a mentor.

I'm 3 months into a new role as Financial Controller. It's a small company so the scope is still lot easier than last job.

But I've made mistakes due to being away from transactional duties for so long (mainly was in reporting before for last 8 years).I feel I have had a big dose of imposter syndrome, especially during month 2 when I got feedback for these mistakes (and had another this month which I was so nervous to own up to).

It's settling now. I think you just need to give it some time.

This is really similar to my situation, although I was promoted in the same business rather than a new job. First response nailed it, bring in expert help. I struggle to feel like a credible leader and I’m really struggling with the constant need to perform - mainly larger presentations but also general presence in the office. Only by being proactive and feeling like I’m investing in coaching/ training etc. do I feel better.

Feel free to DM me.

Lot's of people have felt like you. This is the time to be proud of your success and embody the role. Use your obvious skills to organise yourself so you are dealing with what's coming at you each day, delegating to and developing others, and having some ringfenced time for strategy and forward planning. Find the best coach you can. Don't do yourself down because of self doubt - that part of you is understandably fearful of not succeeding, but it is behind the times, you are able and successful.

Were you very comfortable in your previous role? I had a job promotion up one level and was finding it very challenging. A peer said to me, you need to get comfortable feeling uncomfortable. I was so long a complete master of my previous role, that being in a position where I didn't immediately know how to deal with everything I was faced with, left me feeling anxious and stressed. You just have to trust yourself, I'm a capable person I will figure this out!! I think the advice above to get coaching is wise.

Nobody feels like they are doing a great job straight away. Be kind to yourself and accept you won't know everything for at least six months.

Assuming you are a woman - lots of women have terrible imposter syndrome. Men generally don't. Be more man and fake it until you make it in your new role. Congrats on your well earned promotion.

Conscious incompetence, which moves to conscious competence, then unconscious competence as you become established.

Thanks all - think I need to go a bit easier on myself. It’s all just feels very overwhelming at the moment. Coaching sounds a good suggestion