Ep 193: Taking my own medicine

The imposter phenomenon is common across professions, and coaches are no exception. In the final part of this short series, I turn the lens on myself and my peers to explore what happens when the person in the coaching chair is the one doubting whether they're good enough, and why it matters for the client. Following the earlier conversation with Dr Hayley Lewis on what the imposter phenomenon is, and last episode's look at coachees trying to "win" at coaching, this episode looks at the other side of the relationship. In this episode, I look at how imposter thoughts and feelings can show up for coaches, what's at stake if both coach and client are performing, and the practical steps that I use in my own coaching practice to step back from the imposter inside. Thanks for listening! Resources for this episode: After Hours with Dr Hayley Lewis – 30 November, 6pm UK Our next quarterly After Hours session sees Hayley return to answer your questions about the imposter phenomenon. The session is exclusive to members of Work Life Spark, our online personal development community. Membership is free, and you can submit questions in advance. The recording will only be available to community members. Sign up at https://www.worklifespark.com/sign-up Get in touch Do you have questions about the imposter phenomenon or life as a coaching psychologist? Is there anything this series hasn't covered that you'd like to hear about? Email [email protected] or join the conversation in WorkLifeSpark. Related episodes Ep 228: Help! I feel like an imposter (with Dr Hayley Lewis) - https://www.worklifepsych.com/podcast/228/ Ep 229: There are no prizes in coaching - https://www.worklifepsych.com/podcast/229/

This episode is a short one, to mark the ninth anniversary of My Pocket Psych. Nine years ago I pressed record on the very first episode, despite all my nerves and misgivings. I hope it's clear how much the show has developed and improved since those first, tentative and nervous episodes! It has definitely evolved into something I actively enjoy creating, especially when I know listeners are finding it useful. So I'm delighted to share (with his permission) some feedback from a listener all the way over in Maui, Hawaii. Thanks David! The podcast wouldn't exist without listeners, so thanks for continuing to be part of this community. Thanks for every episode you recommended to a friend or colleague, and every email you sent in with your questions and feedback. Huge thanks also go to every single professional who has joined me for an episode. I know for sure that new voices go down very well with listeners. As always, thanks for listening! Resources for this episode Ep 228: Help! I feel like an imposter! https://www.worklifepsych.com/podcast/228/ Ep 225: Values as tools for life https://www.worklifepsych.com/podcast/225/ WorkLifeSpark: sign up for free today! https://www.worklifepsych.com/community-and-learning/worklifespark/ Email me your thoughts about the podcast: [email protected]

Following on from last episode, where we explored the imposter phenomenon and its impact, this time we look at how it can show up in coaching. Even when it's not the main topic or theme we're exploring. Experiencing the imposter phenomenon can lead clients to mask their true feelings and experiences, needlessly seek approval and unhelpfully view their coach as an authority figure to impress. It can lead to a polished performance, but a lack of depth and openness in the coaching sessions themselves. And unhelpful and uncomfortable rumination about what they said and did in the coaching conversations. So we look at some simple things coachees can do to address the imposter phenomenon when it shows up in coaching, including helpful distance from the thoughts, verbalising the experience with their coach, and bringing self-compassion to life. Get in touch with your questions and comments (podcast at worklifepsych dot com) and don't forget about our next 'After hours...' session on 30th November, featuring Dr. Hayley Lewis, who'll be answering all your questions about the imposter phenomenon. Thanks for listening!

In this episode, Richard is joined by fellow psychologist Dr. Hayley Lewis for a chat about what we now call 'Imposter Phenomenon'. Essentially, Imposter Phenomenon (previously called 'imposter syndrome') is an experience when an employee feels they've achieved their success and position due to luck, rather than talent, and that any moment, it could all come crashing down. The combination of uncertainty and worry can lead to some very unhealthy ways of working, while also eroding job satisfaction and relationships. Richard and Hayley explore how this differs from 'healthy' self-doubt, how it manifests in thoughts, feelings and behaviours, and what people can do if they notice these kinds of unhelpful thinking patterns. Do get in touch with your questions and comments - it's always great to hear from listeners! Email the show at 'podcast at WorkLifePsych dot com'. Thanks for listening! Resources for this episode Hayley's new book, which she co-wrote with Dr Clare Mulligan-Foster, is almost here. It's called Applying Psychology to Consulting: From theory to practice. This book is for psychologists, and HR/OD/L&D practitioners working in consultancy. Whether you work in-house, or for an external consultancy, or you're a freelancer, this book is for you. Pre-order will be available from the 27th October. If you pre-order on the Routledge website and use the code 26SMA3, you'll get 20% off! You can find Hayley's new podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/manage-with-confidence/id1895356511 Follow Hayley on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/haypsych/ Sign up for 'Pause and Reflect' our self-directed course to support your intentional reflection and learning: https://www.worklifespark.com/checkout/pause-and-reflect Check out this other episode featuring Hayley, where we discuss becoming your own boss: https://www.worklifepsych.com/podcast/106/

In this episode, we turn our attention to the topic of thoughts, thinking and how we interact with all the stuff our own mind creates for us. While the human mind is definitely a wonderful thing, some of the thoughts (including images, predictions, memories) it provides us can be unpleasant to experience. They can lead to worry, distraction, and unhappiness over time. And unlike all the fridges, cars and computers you've ever bought, we don't receive an owner's manual for the mind at birth. If anything, we pick up lots of unhelpful thinking habits as we grow up! Not to mention buying in to common misconceptions about thoughts and the mind in general. What's the alternative? One approach is to get some helpful distance from the thoughts, by seeing them as simply thoughts. We can also use metaphors and imagery to simplify our relationship with mental experiences. When practiced consistently, we call this 'cognitive defusion'. Next time, we'll look at a really common manifestation of unhelpful thoughts - something psychologists refer to as Imposter Phenomenon. Until then get in touch with your comments, feedback and ideas. It's always great to hear from listeners. Email 'podcast at WorkLifePsych dot com' or join the conversation over on WorkLifeSpark. Thanks for listening! Resources for this episode Learn more about Psychological Flexibility, which is supported by Defusion: https://www.worklifepsych.com/solution/wellbeing/psychological-flexibility/ Learn more about Cognitive Defusion in this previous episode: https://www.worklifepsych.com/podcast/158/ Learn more about our online personal development community WorkLifeSpark here: https://www.worklifepsych.com/community-and-learning/worklifespark/