careers . Once again , the thoughts came .
• Who am I to create something like this ?
• I ’ ll be working closely enough with the residents that they ’ ll see my flaws and weaknesses .
• I ’ ve never managed this large of a team before .
Rather than succumbing to feelings of self-doubt or unworthiness , I ’ ve learned to take a step back and to speak truth over situations … and over myself .
• I am the right person to create this program because I am a visionary who sees things differently and knows how to solve big problems in my profession .
• Yes , the residents will see my strengths and weaknesses … and that ’ s OK . My team and I are doing this so we can create new pathways for training financial planners and establish best practices for that training .
This vision simply can ’ t be accomplished without letting people see my weaknesses .
• I ’ m going to learn to manage my team and get the help I need to do it .
When I spoke to myself like that , I was able to lower the volume of my imposter syndrome . I ’ ve learned to acknowledge those thoughts , to have compassion with myself , and to not allow lies and fears to determine my limits . It ’ s always hard . Sometimes it requires taking a step back . But with practice , it gets easier .
Say It Out Loud
Shannon , whom I quoted at the start of this piece , was wise to voice her fears in the Externship forum space . This is a private community , a “ safe space ,” so to speak . By giving voice to her concerns surrounded by people in the same boat , she gave other externs the chance to express their own feelings about being imposters .
When I reached out to Shannon to ask her more about her experience , here ’ s what she said :
“ During the first few weeks of the Externship , I found myself a bit disconnected . Because I was also studying for my Accredited Financial Counselor exam , I didn ’ t have the capacity to jump in as much as other people . I began to doubt my place and ability . From years of personal counseling , I know that naming the feeling was the first step . That was my motivation for my post in the forum — to say both ‘ I ’ m doubting and overwhelmed ’ while also saying to others , ‘ I know what it ’ s like down here , and we ’ re not alone .’”
Did you catch the part from her initial post where she says she has a degree in accounting and financial management ? Shannon is more than qualified . What ’ s more , she ’ s spent the last 16 years using her experience to help her family as a military spouse , tasked with the logistics of moving every few years . Shannon is no imposter , and I ’ m so glad she was courageous enough to speak up . After she did , nearly 20 people responded with their own fears of being “ found out ,” and discussed their tools for conquering those fears .
Shannon spoke her fears out loud , and in doing so , she found a lifeline for herself ( and others ).
Being Honest With Ourselves
Honesty is one of my company ’ s core values : “ We tell the truth to ourselves , to one another , to our clients , and to people who hold power .” Being honest with myself when I ’ m not qualified for something is difficult and humbling . Sometimes what feels like imposter syndrome might be my intuition saying , “ Not yet .” There is wisdom in knowing when the season is right to take a leap .
For me , the question becomes this : Am I being guided by wisdom or fear ?
Sometimes what feels like imposter syndrome might be my intuition saying , “ Not yet .”
Because when I am qualified , that ’ s when the hard work really begins . It ’ s a lot harder to accept that I am capable than it is to admit that I ’ m not the one for the job . I think it ’ s because facing fears of being an imposter requires bravery . When I face my imperfections or reject the thoughts saying I ’ m an imposter , I remember why fighting through these things matters .
It matters to my clients , who depend on my knowledge , instincts and skills . It matters to the future financial planners trying to find a place in this profession . It matters for my three kids , two of whom are little girls . I want them to see their mom doing brave things .
I don ’ t know where you are or what you are struggling with , but what I know is that you have something to offer the world . The world needs what you , uniquely you , have to offer . So let ’ s be honest , and let ’ s be brave . And together , let ’ s uninvite imposter syndrome .
HANNAH MOORE , CFP , is a financial planner and creator of the Externship , and is one of the profession ’ s leading voices on training the next generation of financial planners .
OCTOBER 2024 | FINANCIAL ADVISOR MAGAZINE | 29